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Slash Chords

 

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Last updated on: 2009-08-19 6:12 PM

A slash chord is a chord that has a bass note other than the root, and frequently, slash chords are inversions. For example: a C/G slash chord means to play a standard C major chord with G in the bass instead of C (this would be notated as G-C-E), this is also the first inversion of the C major chord. Another example would be Ami/FSharp symbol which means to play an Ami chord with FSharp symbol in the bass. This is an example of a non-inversion slash chord because FSharp symbol is not a note from the Ami chord.

Below are some common slash chord voicings however, there are literally thousands of slash chords and not all are listed here, it's really a matter of building the chord when the time comes or reading a chord chart, good composers should always write the chords on the chart.

Slash Chord Profile

Intervals n/a
Stability n/a
Grouping Class n/a
Common Names (examples in C) C/G, Cmi/G

Slash Chord Voicings

The chord voicings below are not shown in any particular key, they are shapes which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the root note (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

  • How to use
  • As an example, let's say you require a D major chord
  • After playing all the chord voicings, you decide on voicing #2
  • Voicing #2 has it's root on the 5th string so you need to find the D note on this string
  • Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5th fret (5th string)
  • Now play D major using voicing #2 on the 5th fret
  • Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
  • Use the Chord chart help tab if your a beginner at reading chord boxes
Common slash chord voicings
Chord chart help
Notes on the guitar neck chart (lite version)
Octaves chart

Using octaves to learn notes on the guitar neck

  1. First determine which chord you require, let's use a B major chord in this example.
  2. We know the root note is B, (if it were an A major chord the root note would be A and for Cma7 it would be C, etc etc)
  3. Using the notes on the guitar neck chart, find the B note on the 6th string, 7th fret.
  4. Now using the major chord voicings chart, look for voicing #4 which has it's root note on the 6th string and play it, your done!
  5. Remember, learning and memorizing notes, chord voicings and scales in this way will improve your playing skills, theoretical knowledge and desirability as a band member.

Slash Chord Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name Flash MP3
A/E Chord Voicing #4 a-e-slash-chord-voicing-4.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

External Resources