Triad Magic - An Introduction to Guitar Chord Theory (Book/Online Videos) Paperback – May 31, 2014

Great,short, read that fills in some of the holes in my guitar knowledge.

The links to the videos are really helpful. I was reading this on my iPhone and if I found a section that I needed some clarity on I could just click on the link and watch him demonstrate what was on the page. Very good. He also did a very good job showing all the different ways triads can be used.

Excellent book to go through on your journey to chord mastery! Don't think this is just learning basic triads, it is deeply concerned with proper voicings and inversions, so you can voice these triads anyway you want all over the neck. Majority of guitarists who have been playing for years do not know some of these voicings nor how to mix them together for a proper smooth chord progression, so don't think this is a beginner's chord book. It is also very nicely printed and organized to make the entire experience enjoyable.NOTE: In case you are looking for an easy chart layout of all the chords that you will be going through up to Chapter 11, they are on page 39.I have been using this alongside Chords Galore- Jack Peterson, which goes into 7th chords and their inversions with roots or in the case of inversions, simply the lowest notes, on the 5th and 6th string. Eventually I will move on to 7th chords with roots or lowest notes on the 4th string but haven't found THE book yet, may have to figure them out myself. But Triad Magic is great for triads and their inversions!Enjoy!

This is a great starter guide for learning triads. You will need to spend the time to learn your fretboard notes. The triad shapes are dependent on knowing their placement on the fretboard. Without knowing the notes, you don’t know the correct location to play the triad shape. Invest the time and your playing will progress to a whole new level.

I have wanted to get beyond strumming big barre chords and find a way to play a more subtle accompaniment to songs. This book appears to be the key to doing that. It should help players who are in a band play rhythm without stepping on other instruments; help those who want to get into jazzier arrangements; and help folks like me who are older and starting to deal with arthritis in their hands. It is a beginning to the triad concept - a jumping off point for players. Getting into extended and more sophisticated chord triads may require another textbook.

I was skeptical when I first opened this book. In the beginning the information was pretty basic, at least for me. I’m knowable in music theory to a greater degree than a beginner might be so the simple explanations didn’t do much for me. Having said that, I can see how they would help someone who has no idea or understanding of theory. Theory is not hard and one does not need to understand it in order to play music; but it does help. I have to say though that the format and simple layout of examples are priceless. It’s to the point with no wasted words or embellishments. Don’t be surprised when you open this book and find very few words and plenty of good’ol useful information. I have purchased many guitar instruction books but this is by far the best I’ve ever owned. If it’s TRIADS you want to learn, look no further; you found it...

A well laid out and clear presentation. I view this book as a supplement to Joe Negris , "A Commonsense Approach to Improvisation". Both of these are relatively short, but very direct guides to using triads. "Commonsense" has the triads, major and minor laid out in all keys, along with three string dominants, as well as a little homework with pencil and staff paper. In combination they represent a concise way to learn triads in key centered progressions, which is one of the doorways to controlled improvisation and learning the neck. While neither has aspirations of appearing to be super hip, if you don't know this stuff cold you're most probably not as slick as you think.

This is a great book. Mastering triads is challenging. Watching a Youtube video won't get you there. There are 14 lessons that build from beginner to intermediate (it does not cover jazz extensions). There are clear explanations for your brain, and exercises for your fingers and ears. And no extra junk.