Which Strings to Strum

I understand that a Cmaj is comprised of the notes, C,E,G. A triad of sorts. All major chords are 4-3 half steps apart, which I also understand. But what I do not understand is that, when I want to play a Cmaj chord, which strings do I strum and which ones do I not? I would think that if my 3 fingers areplaced on a C an E and a G, and I strum other notes along side the 3 that comprise the chord, than I am playing more than the chord ya? Is their some sort of concrete rule on what to strum and what not to strum than?

Thankyou for any help possible

until someone who can give you a technical response replies.....

I will tell you that there are "open" chords....meaning you hold your fingers on the 3 triad notes ( or some 4 notes shords ) and strum all 6 stings...so other then than the 3 in the triad...the rest are open

if you look on a chord chart.....it shows you strum all 6...there will be O's above the stings that are not being held down with a finger..meaning that it is an open string...in a lot of the jazz chords I am learning and play there are little x's over the strings that are not to be played ....if you do it just sounds wrong and icky...it is more difficult to play these chords since you cant just strum away..you have to pay attention and only oick and strum what is in the chord

but I know there is a muchhhhh more technical response and im sure it will come along real soon

but look up open chords...

Hi Zeitegeistt (and ItsMeSilly!)

You are right: the major (or minor) chord consists of a triad. In other words, three distinct notes, played all at once, that all harmonize together to create the chemistry and flavor of the chord. (jazz, blues, and other more complex chords may contain a more complex chemistry. Let's stick to the basics for right now. That is to say, a straight-up major chord.)

Sometimes these three notes are fretted notes on the guitar. Sometimes these three notes are open strings. Most times, you'll find you have a combination of both.

The C major chord consists of the notes C, E, and G.

General rule of thumb: the LOWEST sounding note you play when you play a chord, should be the chord's root, the chord's #1 note. For a C Chord, that would be the note C.

So, even though the note E exists in the C major chord, and the lowest string of the guitar, played open, is "E", you would skip over that E, and play the "C" as the Bass Note (or, lowest note) of your C Chord. That "C" note is on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

If you look at a chord chart for C Major, you'll probably see some indication that the low E string is off limits.

Moving up the strings from your C bass note, you've got the next "E" note, which is the 4th string held at the 2nd fret. Then the "G" note, which is the 3rd string played open. Then the "C" note again (up an octave), which is the 1st fret of the 2nd string. (try this: it's a standard C chord) And finally, the high "E" note, which is the 1st string played open.

Even with all those ingredients, you end up with TWO ESSENTIAL FACTORS:

1. the lowest-sounding note you play is the root note of the chord (in this case, C)

2. All the other notes you play, whether fretted or open, are contained in the chemistry of the chord. (in this case, C, E, and G. Nothing more, nothing less.)

Does this make sense?

Keep us posted - Lisa

Well than. Thankyou both for your replies, and like it was said, a technical response came indeed. So basicly, whatever the root of the chord being played is, make sure that, that root note is the LOWEST sounding note, which if playing a Cmaj it should be the C yes? and an Fmaj an F?Well what about in terms of inverted chords. I know on the piano you invert your chords so sure you are playing the same chord on the same octave but it is inverted so it sounds different. Playing the notes in a different order.

For example:
Low E string:3rd fret is a G
A string: 3rd fret is a C
D string:2nd fret is a E

So now it is no longer in the order of C,E,G. It has from LOWEST sounding become, G,C,E. Inverted. The lowest sounding note has now become a G. So where would that leave us? or is this a no no? always keep the C first?

I am just curious because I like to excercise whatever I have learned through alot of improv. In doing so I need to know my theoretical limitations are. Thankou both for your reply.

Hi Z-

You are right about the Cmaj7 and Fmaj7, in their "standard" configuration, as played on the guitar, They would use the C, and the F, for their bass notes.

But when you get into inversions, anything is possible. You may indeed play a version of a C chord that is stacked differently, and has a different note as the bass note. You could end up with, as you suggest, a C chord that has a G as it's lowest note.

You may see that indicated on songsheets as C/G. This is called "C over G", and it means that you are to play a C chord, but that the bass note (lowest note) you play should be a G.

Make sense?

-Lisa

Yes it does, thankyou very much for your time.