Slash chords

The slash chords are related to the inverted chords, but with the important difference that the bass note in the slash chord doesn’t belong to the original chord. Let’s clear this out through an example. The chord C/D is a C chord with a D as the base note. This chord therefore includes the notes D, C, E and G as opposed to a regular C chord including C, E and G.


But let’s say you’re playing in a band; in this case you probably will stick to the ordinary C chord as the bassist will take care of the bass note D. But playing on your own you should play all the four notes on your guitar. It isn’t strictly necessary in that manner your music will be completely awkward just playing the regular C chord, but you will discover that there’s many possibilities to elaborate a song with slash chords.

Common slash chords

C/B

  • C/B chord

D/B

  • D/B chord

Em/D

  • Em/D chord

E/C#

  • E/C# chord

G/F#

  • G/F# chord

Am/G

  • Am/G chord

Bm/A

  • Bm/A chord

More chords

Slash chords
Barre slash chords

Chord progressions with slash chord

Slash chords are often used to make smooth progressions between chords. Instead of change directly from a C to an Am the slash chord C/B can be put in between. This works well because the note B is flanked by A and C in a musical scale. Try out the progression:


C – C/B – Am


Another example is to insert a G/F# chord between G and Em. F# (F sharp) is positioned between G and E in the scale of G major. The chord progression is therefore as follow:


G - G/F# - Em

Use this method and try progressions with other slash chords in the diagrams above.