Triads are a simple tool, but an extremely powerful one. In this lesson, I’m going to teach you 12 different voicings that I frequently use.

I also have a second lesson on how to use these for comping. I call that one Comping With Triads.

Why triads?

Because they are easy to play (only 3 notes) and they are the most powerful chord tones, which makes them useful for both rhythm and lead guitar. They provide you with freedom, and they greatly help you understand the fretboard. You see, triads will open up the fretboard in a whole new way, if you study them carefully.

I do not teach soloing with triads in this lesson. You have to really know these voicings like the back of your hand before you can start using them freely. So, that’s what this is all about. KNOWING where these triads are, on the 4 thinnest strings.

If you memorize these 12 voicings, and know which are the notes for each, you’ll be well on your way to play more melodically, with more variation, using powerful chord tones, compared to if you mostly rely on scale patterns (which can be a really dumb idea). This is the Secret To Melodic Playing.