Stupid question from a confused beginer

[Madison]

Okay, Just begining like yesterday, so excuse my ignorance please. I was reading on how to read the music and everything, but i guess what i dont understand is the chords, like i understand how to play them, but then music in different chords, how can you hold down frets for different notes while still keeping the chord. :confused: because all the music that i have seen has the chord at the top of course but then where the notes are, it has a fret to hold down and i just dont get it.
Thankyou for your time

[leivaspelund]

First of all, no question is stupid.
Let's use an example:
A C-chord should contain the notes C, E and G. It does not matter where you play the chord as long as the chord contains only these three notes. However, you are free to use for example the E two times. Learn the notes on the fretboard if you don't know them, and then analyse the different shapes you know of the same chord. You'll find that all the shapes of the same chord contains the same notes.
Hope this helps...

[ianb]

I get a slightly different take on the question.

The chords shown at the top are what you could strum to provide the background harmony for the song.

The individual notes shown in the tab are the melody for the song.
The two parts could share notes if the tab is showing individual notes from the chord shape being played (Arpeggio) or they could relate to parts for two different guitars (Rhythm and Lead)

[Malcolm]

... to your question. ".... how can you hold down frets for different notes while still keeping the chord."

I'll add this. The notes or tabs are there for those that want to play single note or do scale work. The chord names (pictures or whatever) are there for those that will be doing chord work. You do not do both at the same time. The music is written for both, but you make the decision what you want to play -- notes or chords -- then use that portion of the sheet music.

Just had another thought --- sometime the chord is shown above the tab to let you know if you form the chord your fingers will be on the right strings and frets to pick the notes shown in the tab; i.e. form the chord and then you might have to just move your pinky around to do what the tab is telling you to do.