Psychedelic Rock Chords: The Ultimate Guide

A comprehensive guide to creating psychedelic rock chords.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that became popular in the 1960s. The term “psychedelic” refers to the use of drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, which were thought to help induce a state of heightened awareness and creative inspiration. Psychedelic rock bands often used lengthy, improvised jams and unconventional sound effects to create a sense of “mind-expanding” or “trippy” sensations.

While the genre is often associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, psychedelic rock had a lasting impact on the development of subsequent styles like prog rock, glam rock, and punk rock. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock, with bands like Tame Impala and Foxygen incorporating elements of the genre into their music.

What are Psychedelic Rock Chords?

Psychedelic rock chords are simply chords that are used in psychedelic rock music. These chords can be played on any instrument, but they are most commonly played on electric guitars. Psychedelic rock chords are often very complex and interesting sounding, and they can create a very unique atmosphere in a song. Psychedelic rock chords are not often used in mainstream music, but they are becoming more popular in indie and underground music.

The Different Types of Psychedelic Rock Chords

Psychedelic rock chords are built using a variety of different chord types. The most common are major, minor, suspended, and augmented chords. Each of these has a different sound and feel, so it’s important to know how to use them in order to create the right kind of psychedelic rock sound.

Major chords aresimple, stable, and happy-sounding. They’re made up of a root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth. For example, the C major chord is made up of the notes C, E, and G.

Minor chords are sad-sounding and tend to be used in more emotional songs. They’re made up of a root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. For example, the A minor chord is made up of the notes A, C, and E.

Suspended chords are unusual-sounding and can be used to create tension in a song. They’re made up of a root note, a major or minor second, and a perfect fifth. For example, the Dsus4 chord is made up of the notes D, F# (or Gb), and A.

Augmented chords are also unusual-sounding and can be used to create tension in a song. They’re made up of a root note ,a major third ,and an augmented fifth .For example ,the Caug chord is make up include C E G#

How to Play Psychedelic Rock Chords

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s. Musically, it is characterized by electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and often keyboard instruments, and is Exemplified by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, and Pink Floyd.

In order to play psychedelic rock chords, you will need to learn how to play power chords, dominant 7th chords, and suspended 4th chords. Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to play each of these chords:

Power Chords:
1. Place your first finger on the fifth fret of the low E string.
2. Place your third finger on the seventh fret of the A string.
3. Strum only these two strings.

Dominant 7th Chords:
1. Place your first finger on the fifth fret of the low E string.
2. Place your third finger on the seventh fret of the A string.
3. Strum only these two strings.

Psychedelic Rock Chord Progressions

There are many different chord progressions that can be used in psychedelic rock, but there are a few that are used more frequently than others. The following progressions are some of the most popular:

I-IV-V: This is the most basic chord progression and is often used in pop and rock music. The chords are usually played in a major key.

I-VII-III-VI: This progression is similar to the I-IV-V, but with a seventh chord added. This progression is often used in blues and jazz music.

I-VI-VII-III: This chord progression is similar to the I-VII-III-VI, but with a sixth chord added. This progression is often used in gospel and R&B music.

VII-III-VI: This chord progression starts with a seventh chord instead of a tonic chord. This progression is often used in Latin American music.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve looked at some of the chords used in psychedelic rock, it’s time to put them to use! If you want to practice these chords and learn more about how to use them in your own playing, check out our free course “Psychedelic Rock Chords: The Ultimate Guide.”

In this course, you’ll learn about the history of psychedelic rock and its influence on popular music. You’ll also get a step-by-step breakdown of how to play some of the most common chords used in psychedelic rock. And finally, you’ll put everything together in a full performance of The Doors’ classic “Light My Fire.”

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and start your journey into the world of psychedelic rock!