In Expanding Chordal Horizons, master guitarist/instructor John Miller returns to the topic of chord theory. Building on the foundation established in his previous set, Intro to Chord Theory and Chord Voicing, John starts from the assumption that the student has a working familiarity with voicing 7th and 6th chords up and down the neck in a variety of shapes. From there, it is a short step to hybrid 7th chords, 9th and 6 9 chords, 13th chords and chordal inversions, all of which are dealt with in disc one of the lesson. In the course of learning how to voice these different chord types, you'll also learn their sounds, and how to use them in the context of a song. Along the way, John introduces a Bossa Nova picking pattern to expand your ability to provide rhythmic accompaniment.

In the PDF study guide that accompanies the lesson, you will be provided with templates to create your own chordal diagrams for the new voicings you have been learning, and by diagramming the chords yourself, you'll engage with the material and absorb and understand it in a way that never happens when simply taking chords from a chord dictionary or finding them on the Internet. Disc two builds on the lessons taught in disc one and further solidifies your command of the material. The songs that John has chosen as teaching vehicles have been selected for their qualities as teaching pieces, as well as their musical appeal.

If you are interested in understanding how to get around on the guitar and voice chords up and down the neck, Expanding Chordal Horizons will get you well on your way. And the understanding that you build will equip you to problem solve and create your own voicings in the future as you encounter new songs or to utilize your new knowledge in your own songs and compositions. It's exciting to venture into these new areas!

Disc One: Watch What Happens, You Took Advantage of Me

Disc Two: I Should Care, Blue In Green

180 minutes • Level 3 • Detailed tab/music PDF file on the DVD

Review: This is a follow on to the author's previous 2 CD set "Introduction to Chord Theory and Voicing." Get that one first. The first 2 CD's cover major, minor, and seventh chords in movable forms. This set expands into sixths, ninths, elevenths and thirteenths. Also, covers altered 5ths and ninths in chords. Even if you're very experienced you'll want to do the first CD set to understand the organization of the chords into separate forms. Presentation is very well organized and the author is very talented. Chords are practiced in several jazz standards with the author. Highly recommended. – Richard Carlson/Amazon Customer Review