rockjazz
Verified buyer
06/22/25
All these courses are full of musical ideas and the content is explained in great detail
Chord Studies: Rock and Pop Progressions Vol. 2
Theory and harmony instructionals filled with chord construction strategies and applications
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About this course
This second volume expands your vocabulary with 15 more popular song progressions. As you work through these progressions you'll also learn a variety of essential voicings for add 9, 6/9, sus 2, major 9th, dominant 7th, minor 7th and major 7/6 chords.
Bubba would be right — there’s a wide and wonderful world of chords for we guitarists to explore. But what’s the best way to do that? Chord dictionaries might be handy references but there’s no context (and really, when’s the last time you looked at one of those?).
Theory and harmony instructionals are filled with chord construction strategies and applications and we highly recommend digging as deep into the science of chords as your left brain will allow you.
However, learning new chords, progressions, applications and right-hand techniques in a musical context (songs, etudes, jamming with other players, etc.) is the most popular approach and that is the educational premise behind Brad’s Carlton’s Chord Studies course seres.
Each edition of Chord Studies features 15 play-along and jammable chord studies, which are focused on a particular chord type, chord progression or chord application. While Brad does touch on rhythmic qualities, this is not a rhythm guitar course — these studies are specifically designed to significantly expand your chord know-how and vocabulary.
Brad covers a range of styles, levels , chord types and progressions across 10 editions: CAGED Chords, Jazz Blues Progressions, Open String Chords, Rock and Pop Progressions, Slow Blues Progressions, Evolving Blues, Evolving Triads, Slash Chords, Power Chords and Beginner Chords.
Each of the 15 Studies within an edition includes an overview from Brad followed by a performance and play-along of the chord study over a rhythm track. Chord grid charts and a chord lead sheet accompanies each study. Plus, you’ll get all of the practice rhythm tracks to work with on your own.
Reference the chord charts to become familiar with the voicings and their fingerings, and then use the lead sheet to play-along with Brad’s video performance. Try different rhythmic patterns over the supplied rhythm tracks and then take it all to your own playlist of songs and jam tracks.
About the Chord Studies Series
If Forest Gump’s shrimp-loving Bubba played guitar, his take on chords might go something like this, ”You can strum ‘em, fingerpick ‘em, arpeggiate ‘em, mute ‘em, alternate tune ‘em, voice lead ‘em. Dey’s uh, barre chords, altered chords, extended chords, moveable chords, cluster chords, slash chords, inversions, triads, diads. There’s jazz chords, power chords, blues chords, cowboy chords, block chords, open chords…”Bubba would be right — there’s a wide and wonderful world of chords for we guitarists to explore. But what’s the best way to do that? Chord dictionaries might be handy references but there’s no context (and really, when’s the last time you looked at one of those?).
Theory and harmony instructionals are filled with chord construction strategies and applications and we highly recommend digging as deep into the science of chords as your left brain will allow you.
However, learning new chords, progressions, applications and right-hand techniques in a musical context (songs, etudes, jamming with other players, etc.) is the most popular approach and that is the educational premise behind Brad’s Carlton’s Chord Studies course seres.
Each edition of Chord Studies features 15 play-along and jammable chord studies, which are focused on a particular chord type, chord progression or chord application. While Brad does touch on rhythmic qualities, this is not a rhythm guitar course — these studies are specifically designed to significantly expand your chord know-how and vocabulary.
Brad covers a range of styles, levels , chord types and progressions across 10 editions: CAGED Chords, Jazz Blues Progressions, Open String Chords, Rock and Pop Progressions, Slow Blues Progressions, Evolving Blues, Evolving Triads, Slash Chords, Power Chords and Beginner Chords.
Each of the 15 Studies within an edition includes an overview from Brad followed by a performance and play-along of the chord study over a rhythm track. Chord grid charts and a chord lead sheet accompanies each study. Plus, you’ll get all of the practice rhythm tracks to work with on your own.
Reference the chord charts to become familiar with the voicings and their fingerings, and then use the lead sheet to play-along with Brad’s video performance. Try different rhythmic patterns over the supplied rhythm tracks and then take it all to your own playlist of songs and jam tracks.
What you'll learn
- Use guide fingers to facilitate smooth chord transitions
- Apply guide finger and pivot finger techniques for smooth chord transitions
- Use partial barring technique instead of full barring
- Maintain common tones across chord changes
- Understand the difference between solo guitar and band arrangements
Release date: 05/01/2015 • 1h 15m runtime
Sample lessons
Rock & Pop Progressions Vol. 2
Overview
Option E
Overview
Option E
Playalong
Top Ring
Overview
What's included
32 lessons • 15 charts • 15 Jam Tracks
Chord Studies: Rock & Pop Progressions Vol. 2
This second volume expands your vocabulary with 15 more popular song progressions. As you work through these progressions you'll also learn a variety of essential voicings for add 9, 6/9, sus 2, major 9th, dominant 7th, minor 7th and major 7/6 chords.
Rock & Pop Progressions Vol. 2
This second volume expands your vocabulary with 15 more popular song progressions. As you work through these progressions you'll also learn a variety of essential voicings for add 9, 6/9, sus 2, major 9th, dominant 7th, minor 7th and major 7/6 chords.
Option E
In example one you are playing over a triplet feel which could also be labeled a 12/8 feel. When moving from the Gm to E♭, you have some options. You could barre three strings for a half barre, or you could do a 2/3 barre which will you help you get in place for your B♭chord. As you repeat the progression and return to Gm your third finger will be a pivot finger.
Option E
In example one you are playing over a triplet feel which could also be labeled a 12/8 feel. When moving from the Gm to E♭, you have some options. You could barre three strings for a half barre, or you could do a 2/3 barre which will you help you get in place for your B♭chord. As you repeat the progression and return to Gm your third finger will be a pivot finger.
Top Ring
This progression is based around a descending bass line on the fifth and sixth strings. The second chord, Asus2 over C♯ could also be thought of as an Aadd9 in first inversion. Work on hyperextending your fourth finger so that you don't mute out the first string. When moving into the C6 try pivoting about your 4th finger - this may seem a bit unorthodox but we do this to sustain the top two voicings. Think about hearing this progression on a keyboard with all of the voicings ringing.
Top Ring
This progression is based around a descending bass line on the fifth and sixth strings. The second chord, Asus2 over C♯ could also be thought of as an Aadd9 in first inversion. Work on hyperextending your fourth finger so that you don't mute out the first string. When moving into the C6 try pivoting about your 4th finger - this may seem a bit unorthodox but we do this to sustain the top two voicings. Think about hearing this progression on a keyboard with all of the voicings ringing.
Major Inversions
In this progression you'll be using some first inversion major chords, meaning a major chord with the third in the bass. The rhythm here is a dotted quarter note followed by an eight note with a tied half note. That means you are changing chords on the "and" of two.
+ 25 more lessons
Reviews
3 results
wholmer
01/04/21
Definitely something for everyone
Essential strumming to know! The many different grooves presented here are going to expand your horizons! He is a natural teacher. He got me hooked with the 1st lesson. The structure is well planned and progress is from easy to not so easy but you are ready for it if you follow along and practice!
mmgrover
Verified buyer
01/22/19
Chord Studies: Rock and Pop Progressions Vol. 2
Very Informitive
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