Need way to figure out which intermediate chords(not major/minor) go in which keys

[holywoodrd]

Does anyone know if there is an easy way or trick to figure out which intermediate chords (sus2, sus4, aug, 7th, etc.) go into which key. Say for the Key of C could you tell me how to figure which sus2 chords, sus4 chords, and so would be in there

[Rayman]

Here's a great way to see all of the chords in a key:

1. Draw a blank fretboard - at least 15 frets worth. So you'd have 16 vertical lines (frets) and 6 horizontal lines (strings)

2. Draw a little circle for each of the notes in the key you're interested in. For C major the notes would be C, D, E, F, G, A and B.

That's it. Now you'll be able to look at the diagram and see all the places where a sus2 or a sus4 chord appears. Looking at my diagram, I can see sus2 chords with the root note on the 5th string at the zero fret, third fret, fifth, eighth and tenth frets. The sus4 chords (again with the root note on the A string) are at 0, 3, 5, 7, 10.

So, your sus2 chords in C major are: Asus2, Csus2, Dsus2, Fsus2 and Gsus2. The sus4 chords are the same, except that the Fsus2 is replaced with an Esus4.

Try it out. It's a great visual prompt when you're mucking around with chords, or even putting a solo together.

[holywoodrd]

thanks for your help,

so I should be able to do this with any moveable intermediate chords?

[Rayman]

You'll be able to use it for any barre chord. Or any triad / arpeggio. Whatever you're interested in. All you do is figure out how the barre chord looks on the fretboard, then scan your diagram for any places where the barre chord appears. You can also use the diagram to 'create' your own chords. Because all of the notes in your diagram are in the key of C, any combination of the notes will give you a useable chord. Play around with it, it's good fun.