Exploring the Open String Chord of a Standard-Tuned Guitar: Em and Its Variations
When you press down on all six open strings of a standard-tuned guitar, the resulting sound is an intriguing chord that influences many aspects of guitar playing and music composition. This article will delve into the composition of this chord, its variations, and how understanding it can enhance your musical skills.
The Basic Chord: Em (E Minor)
When all six strings of a standard-tuned guitar E A D G B e are strummed, the resulting chord is an E minor (Em) chord. The notes produced are E, A, D, G, B, and E, aligning with the open strings in order from lowest to highest. The E minor chord is composed of E (the root), G (the minor third), and B (the perfect fifth).
Em7add4: An Extended Chord Voicing
While some argue that the chord could be called an Em7add4, an Em11, or even a G major with a 6th and a 9th, the term Em7add4 is indeed more appropriate. This chord adds the fourth (A) and the eleventh (D) to the basic Em chord, creating a unique sound. The Em7add4 chord can be heard in classical pieces like Miles Davis's So What, where a specific cluster of notes is played in a left-hand piano voicing. This voicing can be replicated on the guitar by using a barre across the 12th fret for Em11 (going to the 10th fret for Dm11) while muting the high E string.
Other Possible Voicings
Depending on the tuning, the chord could be interpreted differently. With standard tuning, an Em11 would be the best bet, while other voicings like A9sus4 or G6/9 could also be considered based on the specific context of the song. Some musicians might call it an open C, as it can be a transition between chords, much like what John Lennon used to do in his music.
The Nature of the Sound
However, it is important to note that the sound produced when all six strings are played together does not strictly qualify as a chord. The presence of the low A string disrupts the perfect fifth interval characteristic of a proper Em chord. Therefore, the closest thing to a proper chord that could be suggested is an E minor7 (Em7), but even this is somewhat compromised by the open string notes.
In conclusion, the sound produced when all six open strings are strummed on a standard-tuned guitar is a complex blend of notes that can be interpreted in various ways. Understanding these interpretations can enhance your musical vocabulary and versatility as a guitarist. Whether you call it Em7add4, Em11, or even open C, the unique character of this sound has influenced countless compositions and performances in the realm of music.