Explore open-string chord shapes up the neck that give you alternate-tuning-like sounds with easy fingerings—while staying in standard tuning.

Learn what slash chords are and how to use them to sweeten the sound of a chord progression or bass line.

A video lesson on adapting cool chord progressions from other songs to spur your own song ideas.

Learn simple, powerful ways to add freshness and variety to chord progressions.

A simple, powerful way to create more distinctive chord progressions.

There’s no formula for constructing a bridge, but taking a close look inside some classic songs can help you get started.

How to add a bluesy edge to your chord progressions.

The skeleton key for countless songs in folk, country, rock, blues, and beyond.

Swapping out a chord or two can really liven up a progression and also help you discover new melodic ideas to sing on top.

A songwriter’s guide, continued. (See the lesson on major keys.)

A songwriter’s guide.