Database

Welcome to the DJGHB6 System.

This collection is part of the Dragon Jamz Hybrid Guitar Big 6 (DJHGB6) System, a developing body of knowledge focused specifically on the Hybrid Guitars Big 6 instrument tuned to:

How to Read the Chord Diagrams

G – C – F – c – f – a#

This tuning, developed by Charlie Hunter, creates a unique balance between bass and guitar registers while maintaining the clarity and articulation needed for chordal playing. Through my own experience with the instrument, I’ve found that this tuning provides a chime-like quality while retaining the low-end authority that makes the Big 6 so distinctive. The increased string tension contributes to a focused attack and strong note definition, while the instrument’s dual carbon fiber neck reinforcement provides the stability needed to support these tensions comfortably.

Because the Hybrid Guitar is neither a traditional guitar nor a bass, familiar chord shapes do not always transfer directly. The instrument creates unique opportunities for chord voicings, compact fingerings, and musical textures that are difficult to achieve on other instruments.

The goal of this database is to document practical, movable chord shapes that sound great, feel natural under the fingers, and can be applied immediately in real musical situations.

Whether you’re exploring the instrument for the first time or expanding your existing vocabulary, these diagrams provide a foundation for understanding how harmony works on the Hybrid Guitar.

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Chord diagrams are written from the lowest string to the highest string:

G – C – F – c – f – a#

Each number represents the fret to be played on that string.

An X indicates that the string is not played.

For example:

5 X X 7 7 6

means:

• G string = 5th fret
• C string = muted
• F string = muted
• c string = 7th fret
• f string = 7th fret
• a# string = 6th fret

Many chord types can be played from multiple root locations. Depending on the chord family, the root note may appear on the G, C, or F string.

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Why These Chords Are Built This Way

The chord system presented here was developed specifically for the HGB6 tuned to Charlie Hunters G tuning, rather than adapted directly from standard guitar methods.

Traditional guitar chord shapes are often designed for strumming with a pick and may contain duplicate notes or unnecessary stretches. The HGB6, particularly in Charlie Hunter’s G tuning, is typically approached as a fingerstyle instrument where bass notes, chords, and melodies work together.

Many of the chord shapes in this collection draw inspiration from the compact shell voicings used by jazz guitarists. The focus is on playability, efficiency, and highlighting the notes that define the chord while taking full advantage of the HGB6’s unique tuning and range.

Design Principles

Compact Fingerings

Most chord shapes are kept within a two- to four-fret span whenever possible, making them comfortable to play and easy to move around the neck.

Movable Root Positions

Chord families are organized around root notes found on the G, C, and F strings. Once a shape is learned, it can often be moved to other keys by shifting the root location.

Practical Voicings

The focus is on chords that sound good in real musical situations rather than theoretical completeness. Some voicings intentionally omit the fifth or double certain notes to improve tone, balance, and playability.

Consistent Organization

Chords are grouped by root-string location and chord family, making it easier to recognize patterns and build a practical harmonic vocabulary.

Built for Real Music

Every shape in this collection is intended to be useful for songwriting, accompaniment, improvisation, arranging, and performance.

The Hybrid Guitar is a unique instrument with its own strengths and logic. These chord shapes represent an ongoing effort to document that system and make it accessible to other musicians. As the Dragon Jamz HGB6 System continues to evolve, additional chord families, voicings, applications, and musical examples will be added to further expand the vocabulary available to Big 6 players.

Database

Welcome to the DJHGB6 Database.

These chord diagrams are designed specifically for the Hybrid Guitar tuning:

G – C – F – c – f – a#

Because the Hybrid Guitar is neither a traditional guitar nor a bass, familiar chord shapes do not always transfer directly. The instrument creates unique opportunities for chord voicings, compact fingerings, and musical textures that are difficult to achieve on other instruments.

The goal of this database is to document practical, movable chord shapes that sound great, feel natural under the fingers, and can be applied immediately in real musical situations.

Whether you’re exploring the instrument for the first time or expanding your existing vocabulary, these diagrams provide a foundation for understanding how harmony works on the Hybrid Guitar.

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How to Read the Chord Diagrams

Chord diagrams are written from the lowest string to the highest string:

G – C – F – c – f – a#

Each number represents the fret to be played on that string.

An X indicates that the string is not played.

For example:

5 X X 7 7 6

means:

• G string = 5th fret
• C string = muted
• F string = muted
• c string = 7th fret
• f string = 7th fret
• a# string = 6th fret

Many chord types can be played from multiple root locations. Depending on the chord family, the root note may appear on the G, C, or F string.

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Why These Chords Are Built This Way

The chord system presented here was developed specifically for the Hybrid Guitar rather than adapted directly from standard guitar methods.

Traditional guitar chord shapes often contain unnecessary stretches, duplicate notes, or voicings that do not take full advantage of the Hybrid Guitar’s tuning. Instead, these shapes were designed around playability, efficiency, and musical usefulness.

Design Principles

Compact Fingerings
Most chord shapes are kept within a two- to four-fret span whenever possible, making them comfortable to play and easy to move around the neck.

Movable Root Positions
Chord families are organized around root notes found on the G, C, and F strings. Once a shape is learned, it can often be moved to other keys by shifting the root location.

Practical Voicings
The focus is on chords that sound good in real musical situations rather than theoretical completeness. Some voicings intentionally omit the fifth or double certain notes to improve tone, balance, and playability.

Consistent Organization
Chords are grouped by root-string location and chord family, making it easier to recognize patterns and build a practical harmonic vocabulary.

Built for Real Music
Every shape in this collection is intended to be useful for songwriting, accompaniment, improvisation, arranging, and performance.

The Hybrid Guitar is a unique instrument with its own strengths and logic. These chord shapes represent an ongoing effort to document that system and make it accessible to other musicians.

Root-String Organization

One of the most important concepts in the Dragon Jamz Hybrid Guitar system is understanding where the root note is located.

Unlike traditional guitar chord systems, many Hybrid Guitar chord shapes can be organized by the string that contains the root note. This approach makes it easier to learn chord families, recognize patterns, and quickly transpose shapes to new keys.

Throughout this database, chord voicings are grouped into three primary root locations:

G-String Root Shapes

These voicings place the root note on the lowest string of the instrument (G string).

G-string root shapes often provide the strongest bass foundation and are useful when playing solo arrangements, groove-based music, or situations where a clear root note is needed in the lower register.

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C-String Root Shapes

These voicings place the root note on the C string.

C-string root shapes typically offer a balanced sound with a strong bass presence while allowing for compact upper chord voicings. Many players find this position particularly useful for accompaniment and rhythm playing.

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F-String Root Shapes

These voicings place the root note on the F string.

F-string root shapes often create the most compact chord forms available on the Hybrid Guitar. Because the root sits closer to the center of the instrument, these voicings can produce rich harmonic textures while remaining comfortable to play.

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Why Multiple Root Locations Matter

A major advantage of the Hybrid Guitar is that the same chord quality can often be played from several different root positions.

For example, a major chord may have a G-string root version, a C-string root version, and an F-string root version. While each shape functions as the same chord, the voicing, tonal color, and playability can be quite different.

Learning multiple root locations allows you to:

• Play the same chord in different areas of the neck
• Create smoother chord transitions
• Build more interesting arrangements
• Choose voicings that best fit the musical context
• Develop a deeper understanding of the fretboard

As you explore the chord database, pay attention to the root-string location of each shape. Over time, these patterns become one of the most powerful tools for navigating the Hybrid Guitar.