Chords w/ a Slash (D/F#, C/G)...Know What it Means?

[LisaMcC]

Hi all-

Did you ever come across chords in guitar music that are written with a slash, and wonder what it means?

For instance, D/F#? Or, C/G?

I’ve had many students, beginners to advanced, virtual to “real world”, who’ve been confused by this concept, so just wanted to mention I’ve recently posted a lesson on this simple yet often misunderstood notation.

If you’d like to check it out, here’s the link:

Chords With a Slash: What Does it Mean?
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=11381

-Lisa McCormick, Guitar Tricks Instructor

[Aleroman]

wow, very cool. I didn't know what that meant. Plus its neat how you can run down the chords with different bass notes. Thanks Lisa.

[dreamstate]

What that means is simply playing the chords in inversions as in triads.

To sound the D chord you need a D F# and an A, so a D/F# chord is a D chord in its 1st inversion.

C/G would mean your using the 2nd inversion from the C triad which is C E G.