Creating Melody with Open String Chords

Taking any open string chord, we can find melody notes that exist around the shape of the chord to create little embellishments and add a simple melody to that progression.

Let’s use the chord D minor for this example.

If we’re playing a D minor, we can go two frets down on the B string to C and that's a note that still exists in the tonality of D minor.

So I can use that note (C) as an option.

I also have on my high E string the note, F. *First fret of the high E string

We can go two frets up from there which would be a G and we can use the open E string.

Any of those notes can be used as a melody embellishment for an open D minor chord.

Now you can add in a simple picking pattern and alternate between these notes to add a little melody to your open string chord.