Fran Armijo Farmijo | Random thoughts blog

6/23/2025 ~ 1 min read

(Guitar musical tips2/n) If your root is on the 5th string, the same fret on the 6th string is the V grade of the chord

A simple, stupid rule that allows to add extension to your chords and enter into the harmonic substitution world.


On guitar, if you’re playing a chord on its fundamental state, with the root on the 5th string, on the 6th string you have its V grade.

That implies that, if you’re playing the V grade on another string, you can move the V degree to the 6th string, play an inversion and substitute the V degree for another note. That opens endless possibilities.

Some examples:

- You’re playing a C7b9 like this

Now move your third finger to the 3rd fret of the 6th string. You’re playing now a C7b9. Or, a Gdim7. Because… the notes are the same.

- You’re playing a C9

Do the same thing. Move the C to the G on the 3rd fret. You’re now playing a C9/G… or a G-6.

Things get weirder when you get into dominant chords…


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Hi, I'm Fran. I'm a software engineer and musician based in Barcelona.