Basic Guitar Chords for Beginners

Welcome to your first lesson! In this lesson, we'll cover the fundamental open chords that form the foundation of countless songs.

What You'll Learn

• How to hold your guitar correctly
• Finger positioning for basic chords
• Common chord progressions
• Practice tips for smooth transitions

The Essential Open Chords

C Major Chord

The C major chord is one of the first chords every guitarist should learn. Place your:

• Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string
• Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• Index finger on the 1st fret of the B string

Strum from the A string down, avoiding the low E string.

G Major Chord

The G chord has a full, rich sound. Position your fingers like this:

• Middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string
• Index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
• Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string

Strum all six strings for a full, resonant sound.

D Major Chord

The D major chord is bright and cheerful:

• Index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
• Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string
• Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string

Strum from the D string down.

Practice Tips

1. Start Slowly: Don't rush. Focus on clean notes.
2. Check Each String: Make sure every note rings clearly.
3. Practice Transitions: Move between C, G, and D slowly.
4. Use a Metronome: Start at 60 BPM and gradually increase.

Common Chord Progression

Try this simple progression:

C - G - D - G

Play each chord for 4 beats. This progression appears in thousands of songs!

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with these three chords, you're ready to learn:

• E minor and A minor chords
• The Em-G-C-D progression
• Simple strumming patterns

Keep practicing, and remember: every expert was once a beginner!