Chord & Chord Progression Books

Books covering the chord and chord progression aspect of playing guitar, ukulele and how they work in music

bookschords.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:05

What Books are for me?

Some tips and guidance for picking chord books(s).

Guitar

If you like the learn chords by playing chord progressions and songs then the following books would be for you.

Ukulele

If you like the learn chords by playing chord progressions and songs then the following books would be for you.

Chords on guitar and ukulele can be categorized into four groups.

The first group contains a few relatively easy to play open position chords.

Open Position chords are the first chords beginners typically learn and cover common keys.

Here are the common chords that ALL guitar and ukulele players should know. E Em E7 A Am A7 D Dm D7 C C7 G G7 B7. Learning these chords will allow you to play simple songs in the common keys of C G D A and E.

Here are what some of the basic open position chords on ukulele would look like.

The second group are Basic Movable Form Chords. These are based on the open positions chords. Sometimes referred to as "barre" form chords these chords can be transposed up and down the fingerboard to all keys.

The third group of chords are a more advanced set of chords. These are 4-part Chords, commonly called “jazz” chords. These contemporary chords find their way into a wide variety of music and styles. It is this group of chords where the memorizing chord shapes method really starts to fall apart. There are just too many chords shapes to memorize. By learning the principles of how chords are constructed, a small core set of chord shapes and a knowledge of the notes of the fingerboard you can dramatically increase you chord vocabulary. It is at this point that you can say, "I know all the chords." Which really means I can create ANY chord that I will ever need.

My The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords series of books are all about the group of chords and present the system that we pros use to create any chord we need.

For ukulele the books that dealt with this group are A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords for the system to create these chords and for using these chords my books Exploring “Jazz” Chords on Ukulele, A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z and The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I are a great start.

The fourth group of chords are what I call free form chords. This is where you know the notes of the fingerboard and the notes of the chord you want to create. They might be an open position chord or a movable form chord. This is where a little music theory helps. And, one of the best books I found for that is Edly's Music Theory for Practical People by Ed Roseman

Two of my books A Guide to Guitar Chords and A Guide to Ukulele Chords are a great introduction to the first three groups of chords.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties is also available for lefties.

Contents

Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced are terms that conjure up a wide range of answers and definitions depending on who you ask. When trying to figure this out for yourself it can be tough. For chords I would use the following guidelines:

Beginner: Just starting and know nothing beyond which end is up on your instrument. Even that is confusing enough that I wrote a lesson on just that topic.

Two of my books A Guide to Guitar Chords and A Guide to Ukulele Chords are a great introduction to the first three groups of chords.

Intermediate: You know open position major, minor and seventh chords and their movable form counterparts and can play in a couple of common keys.

Advanced: Know the major, minor and seventh chords in open position and movable form chords. Working on the contemporary 4-part chords, a.k.a “jazz” chords. Starting to understand chord theory and chord construction.

Expand ALL Sections Collapse ALL Sections

Guitar Chord & Progression Books

 

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

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$19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume I


Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
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HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume II


Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

Volume II covers additional string families.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

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$11.97
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$19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume III


For 7 string guitar tuned A E A D G B E

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

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$11.97
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PDF: $19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I


Common chord progressions and chord sequences.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
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HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I


Volume I cover the keys of C, F & Bb. The key of C includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
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$19.95
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The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume II


Volume II cover the keys of E, A, D & G. The key of E includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97 - Buy Now

HARD COPY

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$16.95
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A Guide to Guitar Chords


Covers basic guitar chords for beginning to intermediate students.

Print Book & PDF: $16.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.17 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

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$10.17
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HARD COPY

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$19.95
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QuickStart - Chord Progressions for Lead Guitar - Vol I Book & CD


Each track of this CD is devoted to a scale covered in the QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Lead Guitar book. There are four background tracks for each scale featuring the chords of that scale.

AVAILABLE MAY 2009

NOT AVAILABLE

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

NOT AVAILABLE

Ukulele Chord & Progression Books

Ukulele books covering basic to advanced chords and chord progressions.

Open Position Chords

Open position chords are the basic, first chords most ukulele players learn. These chords are played in the fret one, two, three and four area of the ukulele and include at least one open string in the chord.

Movable Form Chords

Movable chord forms are chords with no open strings. Sometimes called barre chords These chords are transposable by moving each note of the chord the same number of frets up and down the neck.

Each movable form is based on a common open position chord. Movable forms allow you to play chords not found in the open position.

Ukulele Chord of the Week Series

The Ukulele Chord of the Week lesson series where run in 2007, finishing up January 2008 covering open position and movable form chords.

Each week these lessons took the a new chord from my book Ukulele Chords and presented it with additional information added that is not in the books. There where examples of deriving other chords from these chords simply by moving a note up or down the fingerboard. Practice progressions using the basic chord.

4-Part Contemporary Chords

4-Part Contemporary Chords - Beyond learning basic Ukulele chords most players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

Free Form Chords

Free Form Chords are where you know the names of the notes of the chord and the names of the notes of the fingerboard. You can then form a chord using any combination of the chord tones. And, the chord would not fall into one of the previous three categories

A few of the FREE online lessons for ukulele chords

Core Chords - Level 1, Part 1 - Building a solid foundation of 4-part chords..." Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called "jazz" chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music. Building a "core" set of basic 4-part chords will allow you to create ANY, yes ANY chords you ever encounter.

There is a lesson on these type of chords called Cool Chords, Creating those cool chords not found in dictionaries and chord books..

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$14.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Ukulele Chords


Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...

Print Book & PDF: $14.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $8.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$8.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$9.95
Buy Now

Ukulele Chords - “C” Tuning


Mini ukulele chord book of basic open position and movable form chords. Great for your uke case. “C” Tuning, high or low G

Print Book & PDF: $9.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $5.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$5.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

PDF: $17.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z


The volume covers the key of C major and C minor, including detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substitutions. In “C” and “G” tuning.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.77
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I


Commonly referred to as “jazz” chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$17.95
Buy Now

Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele


Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.77
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I


Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

Beginner Guitar Chord & Progression Books

 

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$16.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Guitar Chords


Covers basic guitar chords for beginning to intermediate students.

Print Book & PDF: $16.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.17 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.17
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

QuickStart - Chord Progressions for Lead Guitar - Vol I Book & CD


Each track of this CD is devoted to a scale covered in the QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Lead Guitar book. There are four background tracks for each scale featuring the chords of that scale.

AVAILABLE MAY 2009

NOT AVAILABLE

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

NOT AVAILABLE

Intermediate & Advanced Guitar Chord & Progression Books

 

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume I


Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume II


Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

Volume II covers additional string families.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume III


For 7 string guitar tuned A E A D G B E

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

PDF: $19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I


Common chord progressions and chord sequences.

Print Book & PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I


Volume I cover the keys of C, F & Bb. The key of C includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume II


Volume II cover the keys of E, A, D & G. The key of E includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97 - Buy Now

Beginner Ukulele Chord & Progression Books

 

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$14.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Ukulele Chords


Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...

Print Book & PDF: $14.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $8.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$8.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$9.95
Buy Now

Ukulele Chords - “C” Tuning


Mini ukulele chord book of basic open position and movable form chords. Great for your uke case. “C” Tuning, high or low G

Print Book & PDF: $9.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $5.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$5.97
Buy Now

Intermediate & Advanced Ukulele Chord & Progression Books

 

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

PDF: $17.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z


The volume covers the key of C major and C minor, including detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substitutions. In “C” and “G” tuning.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.77
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I


Commonly referred to as “jazz” chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$17.95
Buy Now

Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele


Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.77
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I


Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

Guitar Chord Progression Books

This is for those who like to learn by playing songs and progressions.

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume I


Volume I cover the keys of C, F & Bb. The key of C includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

PDF: $19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar - Volume II


Volume II cover the keys of E, A, D & G. The key of E includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97 - Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

QuickStart - Chord Progressions for Lead Guitar - Vol I Book & CD


Each track of this CD is devoted to a scale covered in the QUICKSTART Scale Fingerings for Lead Guitar book. There are four background tracks for each scale featuring the chords of that scale.

AVAILABLE MAY 2009

NOT AVAILABLE

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

NOT AVAILABLE

Ukulele Chord Progression Books

This is for those who like to learn by playing songs and progressions.

All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$17.95
Buy Now

Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele


Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$10.77
Buy Now

HARD COPY

Highslide JS

$19.95
Buy Now

The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I


Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

eBook

Highslide JS

$11.97
Buy Now

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