Want to make your chords sound more interesting? Chord embellishments are little additions and variations that add color to your playing. They all come out of the scale related to the chord—and once you know a few, you can use them anywhere.
The G Chord
The open G chord is actually the least embellishable of the bunch. But there’s one move I like: switching between the standard G and a version with an open B string on the second string.
Both are G chords. The first one has an open B, the second has a high D. They have slightly different tones. Going back and forth between them creates texture while staying on the same chord.
The C Major 9
Here’s one of my favorites. Take your normal C chord, and add your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. That D note turns your C major into a C major 9.
I like to leave my first finger anchored so I can switch back and forth easily. You can hammer on and pull off between these two shapes for a nice melodic effect.
The D Major 9
Same idea works on the D chord. Take your second finger off the first string and let that open E ring. That E is the 9th of D, so you get Dmaj9.
Another option on the D: add the F# on the low E string with your thumb or pinky. That gives you a richer bass note underneath the chord.
E Minor to E Minor 7
For E minor, the best embellishment is Em7. Just add your pinky to the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.
Going back and forth between Em and Em7 is one of the most satisfying moves on guitar. The D note on that 3rd fret gives it a slightly jazzier, more open sound.
Using Embellishments in Songs
The key is to use these as accents, not replacements. You don’t play Cmaj9 the whole time—you play C, then add the 9 for color, then come back. Same with the others.
These embellishments work especially well with bass line techniques and thumb fretting. You can also use them with slash chord progressions to create really sophisticated arrangements. Combine them and suddenly your simple G-C-D progression sounds like something off a record.
For more on open chords and what you can do with them, check out the other lessons in this series. And visit our main Guitar Chords section for more lessons.