Have you ever wanted to create those beautiful, warm guitar tones that fill the room like a synthesizer pad?

I’m going to show you one of my favorite techniques for crafting these lush, atmospheric sounds. By combining open triads with hybrid picking, you’ll be able to transform your playing and add a whole new dimension to your worship sets.

Have a listen to what I mean…

Full Ambient Sound With Delay and Reverb

Let’s Talk About Open Triads

Before we dive into the progression, let me explain what makes a triad “open.” You’re probably familiar with regular (closed) triads where all the notes sit within an octave of each other. But here’s where it gets interesting… with open triads, we’re going to spread those notes out across a wider range.

The secret?

We take the middle note of a standard triad and drop it down an octave. This simple change creates an incredible, orchestral sound. Check it out…

How a G Major Triad Transforms into an Open Triad

Here’s Our Chord Progression

I’m going to walk you through a progression that really showcases these sounds. Here’s a breakdown of the chords we’ll use:

Demonstration of the Basic Chord Progression

🎸 TIP: Use hybrid picking to pluck the strings. For these shapes, your pick plays the A string while your middle and ring fingers handle the D and B strings.

Now, I know these might look like standard chords on paper, but wait until you hear how we’re going to voice them!

Let’s Break Down These Open Triad Shapes

To really grasp these voicings, let’s break down how we build them.

Starting with a G major triad at the 12th fret (D, G, and B strings), we’re going to take the middle note and move it down an octave. This transformation creates what we call a root position open triad.

For your G (Root Position Open Triad):

Put your first finger on the 10th fret of the A string
Middle finger on the 12th fret of the D string
Ring finger on the 12th fret of the B string
Here’s a pro tip: keep that G string muted throughout.

For G/B, we’re moving up to:

A string: 14th fret
D string: 17th fret
B string: 15th fret

Have a look how it’s done…

Close-up of the Fingerings for G and G/B Shapes

When we hit Em7, we’re going to:

A string: 7th fret
D string: 9th fret
B string: 8th fret
And here’s where the magic happens… add your pinky on the 10th fret of the high E string for that seventh.

For Cmaj7/E (this is one of my favorites):

A string: 7th fret
D string: 10th fret
B string: 8th fret
Bar the 7th fret to get that lovely major seventh.

Close-up of the Fingerings for Em7 and Cmaj7/E shapes

For D and D/F#, we’re using similar shapes to our G voicings. Once you get the pattern, these will feel natural:

A string: 5th fret
D string: 7th fret
B string: 7th fret

D/F#:

A string: 9th fret
D string: 12th fret
B string: 10th fret

Close-up of the Fingerings for D and D/F# shapes

The Secret Sauce: Hybrid Picking

Here’s where we really make these voicings sing. I want you to use hybrid picking – it might feel weird at first, but stick with me:

Use your pick for the A string notes
Your middle finger plucks the D string
Your ring finger handles the B string

This technique gives you incredible control over each note. Let’s take a closer look…

Close-up of Hybrid Picking Technique

Why These Sound So Good

You know what makes these voicings special? They’re intentional. Think about an orchestra for a moment – each instrument has its specific part, creating this beautiful, layered sound. That’s exactly what we’re doing here with our guitar. By spreading out these notes thoughtfully, we’re creating that same orchestral quality.

The Ambient Magic

The final piece of the puzzle is in the effects. Listen to how the sound transforms from a basic clean tone to a lush, ambient texture. This dramatic change comes from thoughtful use of delay and reverb.

Before and after comparison of the tone with effects

Putting It All Together

When combining all these elements – the open triad shapes, hybrid picking, and effects – we create a sound that’s perfect for modern worship settings. Practice these transitions slowly, focusing on smooth movement between shapes.

Full Progression Played Slowly

My Top Tips for Making This Work

Keep that G string muted – it makes everything cleaner.
Take your time with the hybrid picking. Start slow, and the speed will come naturally.
Focus on making those transitions smooth. The goal is to make it sound like one flowing movement.
Try adding sevenths like we did with the Em7 – it adds beautiful color.
Remember, these voicings are powerful – use them thoughtfully in your worship sets.

Here’s what I love most about these voicings
They create a specific texture that can really enhance those meaningful moments in worship. They’re perfect for those quiet, reflective times or when you’re building atmosphere in an intro.

Remember, you’re not just playing chords here – you’re crafting a sound that can help create space for people to encounter God.

Take your time with these shapes, practice them slowly, and most importantly, enjoy discovering these new sounds on your guitar.

Want to take this further?

Try moving these shapes to different keys, or experiment with adding different extensions to the chords. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to hear what you create with these!

Ready to See These Techniques in Action?

Click below to watch the full video tutorial…

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Creating Big Ambient Sound with Open Triads