12. More chords: C, Am, Dm, E7, Dsus4, Asus4, Dsus2 Now let's learn some more new chords! You already know some of them – since some chords are incomplete on the five-string kantele, they are ambiguous.
The C-major chord on the five-string kantele is identical with the Em chord: a C-major chord should consist of the notes C-E-G, an Em of the notes E-G-B. As there is neither a C-string nor a B-string on our instrument, only the notes E and G are left. So it is up to our singing or to a melody instrument to "complete" the chord! The same is true for the Am chord: it is identical to the A-major chord, as there is no C- or C#-string that would make the chord unambiguous and clear. So there are only A and E. For the Dm chord, just build a D-major chord and then additionally mute the F# string. Again, it is easier if you are used to the "ring finger solution" for the D-major chord, you can just lower your middle finger to build a Dm.
Now E7 is an interesting chord. In musical theory, the E7 chord is the dominant of A-major and also of Am. So in some songs you'll find a chord progression like " D-G-E7-A7-D", where E7 (the dominant of A) is placed before the A7 (which is the dominant of D). A complete E7 consists of E-G#-B-D, but as we don't have G# and B, only the E- and D-string are left!
The sus4 and sus2 chords (also just called "D2", "D4", "A4" etc.) are just small variations of the basic chord. For example, if you have to play the D-major chord for a longer time, you can just change to D2, then go back to D-major, then change to D4 and go back to D-major. That makes your accompaniment more interesting. Once again, D2 is identical to A4, as both chords are incomplete and therefore ambiguous.
Exercise 1: Try to change quickly between the chords by playing chord sequences such as: - D-D2-D-D4-D, then repeat from the beginning! - D-G-D-A-D-G-E7-A7, then repeat from the beginning! - Dm-C-Dm-C-Dm-A7-Dm, then repeat from the beginning! Always play four beats for each chord! Don't forget: relaxed wrist!
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Exercise 2: Play and sing "Go, Tell it to the Mountain"! There's an E7 chord in the last line!
Exercise 3: "My Lord, What a Morning" is a challenge! Play it slowly!