C E G, played low to high, is referred to as "close voicing, root position."

E G C (low to high) is "close voicing, first inversion."

G C E (low to high) is "close voicing, second inversion."

When we play a chord in "open voicing," we rearrange the notes so there's a "gap" between them.

C G E (low to high) is "open voicing, root position."

E C G (low to high) is "open voicing, first inversion."

G E C (low to high) is "open voicing, second inversion."

In my humble opinion, this classification system is poorly named, and is annoying (maybe largely useless) for many beginner and intermediate guitarists. However, for an alert musician who is willing to pursue it with open ears, it is a goldmine of opportunity. A good study for an intermediate guitarist is to take a group of three adjacent strings and play the close voicings of all 12 major chords in all three close voicings. For example, on the low E (6th), A (5th) and D (4th) strings, you might play the following:

C E G = 8 7 5

E G C = 12 10 10

G C E = 3 3 2 and 15 15 14

Then follow the cycle of fifths around for a nice musical-sounding sequence:

G major

G B D = 3 2 0 and 15 14 12

B D G = 7 5 5

D G B = 10 10 9

D major

D F# A = 10 9 7

F# A D = 2 0 0 and 14 12 12

A D F# = 5 5 4

A major, etc.

A good intermediate student of the guitar will play all of the major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads in all voicings on all possible string sets. If it's not clear to the student as to HOW to organize these voicings into musically pleasant etudes, then a good instructor should be found who can explain and play progressions of root motion in seconds, thirds, and fourths, ascending and descending, using conventional voice-leading. It's a nice piece of work and will take from several months to a year or more to work through. In practical terms, all voicings are great for contrasting with another guitarist. Open voicings are great when you use moderate to extreme distortion and want to retain the quality of a chord.

I hope this helps give some direction and clarity to some of you!

Best,

Douglas Baldwin, coyote-at-large
www.TheCoyote.org
coyotelk@...

"Nikola Tesla is the fifth Beatle."
- Taylor Baldwin, 11