Learn the iconic Jimi Hendrix chord style with this rhythm guitar lesson from Marty Schwartz. This lesson teaches you the distinctive chord voicings and inversions that made Hendrix’s rhythm playing so recognizable and influential in rock guitar history.
Jimi Hendrix had a unique approach to rhythm guitar that went far beyond basic chord strumming. He used chord inversions, embellishments, and voicings that created a melodic, flowing sound that’s instantly recognizable. While Hendrix wasn’t the only guitarist to use these chord shapes, the way he applied them became his signature sound.
What You’ll Learn:
- The “Hendrix major chord” – a melodic barre chord formation
- Chord inversions that add sophistication to rhythm playing
- How these shapes relate to standard A-shape barre chords
- Embellishment techniques for adding movement within chords
- The connection between Hendrix’s rhythm and lead playing styles
The main chord Marty teaches is an inversion of the standard root-5 barred A chord pattern. Understanding it this way helps you see how it fits into the bigger picture of chord theory and how you can apply similar thinking to create your own variations. This chord has a rich, melodic quality that works beautifully in blues, rock, and funk contexts.
Once you master this chord shape, you’ll find countless opportunities to use it and experiment with different embellishments. The Hendrix approach to chords opens up a whole new way of thinking about rhythm guitar – it’s not just about holding down chords, but about creating melodic movement within your rhythm playing.
This lesson is perfect for intermediate players who are comfortable with basic blues guitar chords and want to develop a more sophisticated rhythm guitar style. Check out more chord lessons to continue expanding your rhythm guitar vocabulary.