How to Play Chord Progressions For 12 String Guitar

The 12 string guitar is great for playing vibrant, full-sounding chords and chord progressions. In fact, many players would use a 12 string for rhythm guitar, or chord progressions, than for melodic solo lines. Here are some ways to get great-sounding chord progressions for the 12 string.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Pay careful attention to tuning. The 12 string is more difficult to tune than your average guitar, since each note is played on a pair of strings. When the high and low octave strings don't match, chords on a 12 string can be a dissonant experience. And remember, 12 strings equals twice as long to tune.

2. Be firm with your fingering. The 12 string is a little more advanced for playing chords. Light fingering can result in one or more strings being muted, which will dampen the sound. Practice chord structures until your technique produces hearty and unmuted chords.

3. Identify your chords. As many music instructors will show you, chords are identified several ways, including by number, along a chromatic scale. For instance, a 1, 4, 5 chord progression would be (for key of E) E, A and B major chords in sequence. Naming your chords will help you play correct chord progressions.

4. Take time to learn quick chord fingering changes. This part of guitar playing takes a lot of practice. You'll have to be able to switch fingering very quickly from A to B, B to C and so on, to master chromatic chord changes for flowing chord progressions.

5. Find a strumming style. Some guitar players pick their chords (one or two strings at a time) and others use a guitar pick to strum all of the strings repetitively. Play around and see what style fits you best.