Is there such a thing? Sure there is! I have a few favorite guitar chords, and some of them I tend to use quite a lot. Why? Well, just because I think they sound darn cool.
They are ultimately cool! I'll mention two of my ultimate guitar chords here. These are chords I find very useful and fun to use in my own playing.
The first chord is a minor chord with a twist. What is different about it is that it has a minor 3rd but also a major 7. This makes it sound quite a bit more "exotic". I often use the minor chord with a major 7 in it. These types of chords sound really nice and different when there's supposed to be a normal minor chord. This example also have the 9 added, which add to the beauty. Try playing this Am9(maj7) chord while the A string is ringing open.
Am9(maj7) e |---7----| B |---9----| G |---9----| D |---10---| A |--------| E |--------|
It sounds sweet. I think I first remember hearing this chord in some old film noir movie. It makes for a great ending chord. If the song you are playing ends with a minor chord, try throwing in this one instead.
If I had to pick my ultimate guitar chord, the it would be the E7#9. Some people refer to this as the "Hendrix chord" and some think of it as a jazz chord. I just love the sound of it. I often "shake" the strings while I'm playing this chord, basically like applying a vibrato to all 4 strings that I'm using.
E7#9 e |--------| B |---8----| G |---7----| D |---6----| A |---7----| E |--------|
The E7#9 is my ultimate guitar chord, and I'm guessing I'm not alone in thinking so. I hear many players use this chord over and over, and I think it's because it has such a cool vibe to it.
Part of why it sounds so "ultimate", is that is uses the major 3rd, as well as the #9. The minor 3rd and the #9 is the same note - the only difference is that the latter is one octave higher. This almost creates a clash between these two notes, but not quite. Since there's an octave between them, it just works beautifully. With the b7 in there as well, it just stands out really well.
Remember, you can play these chords in any key you want. I just used A and E as examples. It doesn't matter what key you use them in - they will still sound just as awesome.
So there you have it, my favourite and ultimate guitar chord! I have many more variations on both of these that I could write more about. Let me know if you want me to show you more interesting chords like these. There are many, many chords and chord inversions I could go on about...
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I don't understand the strings (E B G D A E ) then by the B you have 8 and by the G you have 7 ... and so on. Please explain! whats this chord look like on the neck of the guitar! Thanks, Eddie
Comment added on December 05, 2007Robert..I'm with Theodore.. I get a real kick out of the improvs you put together when you show some new gear...I'd sure appreciate seeing some more of the interesting chords you pick when you play
Comment added on November 13, 2007Oops, sorry! I had the strings mixed up - the E7#9 chord has now been corrected. Sorry guys.
Comment added on October 21, 2007You've got the E7#9 starting on the sixth string B instead of the fifth string E.
Comment added on October 21, 2007Robert,
Anything that sounds good to you is music to my ears! So, yeah, any interesting chords you want to throw at us would be great.