Getting Started With...Diads

Try out some easy two-note shapes as used by Deep Purple, Dire Straits and more

“So, what are diads then?”

Diads are really easy! It just means you play two notes at the same time. Whereas chords are generally understood to include three or more notes, diads have just two. Simple!

“Are diads used a lot in guitar music?”

Yes. Perhaps the most famous guitar example is Ritchie Blackmore’s riff in Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water. The opening line in Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl also has a great diad riff and finger style giant Mark Knopfler uses these shapes extensively – just check out Money For Nothing by Dire Straits. Two-note powerchords are also technically diads, so there are countless examples in guitar music.