“Sweet Chords” are first-position chords that have in common the notes D and G (fret 3) on the two high strings. These chords tie together well because of the commonality of the two pedal tones on top. They’re also considerably easier than normal first-position chords to switch between because the switches involve only the first and second fingers.
If you’re familiar with the song WONDERWALL by Oasis you’ve heard these chords in action.
Examples of Sweet Chords:
Sweet G E-3 A-2 D-0 G-0 B-3 E-3
Sweet C E-X A-3 D-2 G-0 B-3 E-3
Sweet D E-X A-0 D-0 G-2 B-3 E-3
Sweet Em E-0 A-2 D-2 G-0 B-3 E-3
Sweet A E-X A-0 D-2 G-0 B-3 E-3
In the course of work that I do with special needs students who have limited hand motion I’ve developed an open tuning that I call Sweet Tuning. This tuning is normal on the E, A, D and G strings while providing the constant notes for Sweet Chords on the B and E strings as part of the tuning.
As a result, chord changes in this tuning require only the first two fingers on the fretting hand. This makes them perfect for beginner guitarists because they can achieve fairly complex chord sounds with a minimum of effort.
Because you’re likely to break the B and E strings trying to tune them up a full minor third, this tuning requires tuning the E, A, D and G strings down a whole step. Then the B and high E strings are tuned up one half step, as shown below:
Normal Tuning Sweet Tuning
E down 1 whole step D
A down 1 whole step G
D down 1 whole step C
G down 1 whole step F
B up 1 half-step C
E up 1 half-step F
The final step is to capo on fret 2, which returns the tonality to the key of E.
This is a fun tuning to play around with. Start with the chords shown below and take off from there.
Sweet G E-3 A-2 D-0 G-0
Sweet C E-X A-3 D-2 G-0
Sweet D E-X A-0 D-0 G-2
Sweet Em E-0 A-2 D-2 G-0
Sweet A E-X A-0 D-2 G-0
[photo: Sloanpix]