How to Play Guitar Major Chords

The rhythm to any piece of music can be played by using guitar chords. You can play guitars chords by placing your fingers against the strings in various positions on the neck. To give you a point of reference: the strings and the fingers used are numbered.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Guitar

1. This grid represents the neck of a guitar at the top. The horizontal lines show the frets. The vertical lines are strings.
   The top bass string (thickest) is #1.
2. Place your thumb on the back of the guitar neck and curve your fingers around in front of the strings. Practice holding a string down against the fretboard with the tip of a finger, and plucking it to make a note. Try this with each finger until your notes are clear.
3. To read the chord diagrams, number the fingers on your left hand. Call the index finger #1, the middle finger #2, the ring finger #3 and the pinky #4. Do not play a string with an "x" above it.
4. Play the A Major chord by placing your index finger on the 3rd string at the second fret. Put your middle finger on the 4th string at the second fret and your ring finger on the 5th string at the second fret. Hold just enough pressure on the strings to let the notes ring as you strum the second through sixth strings.
5. Play the C Major chord by placing your index finger on the 5th string at the first fret, your second finger on the 3rd string at the second fret, and your ring finger on the 2nd string at the third fret. Strum the 2nd through 6th strings.
6. Play the D Major chord with your index finger over the 6th string at the second fret, middle finger on the 4th string at the second fret and ring finger on the 5th strings at the third fret. Strum the 3rd through 6th strings.
7. Play E Major with your index finger on the 4th string at the first fret, your ring finger on the 3rd string at the second fret and your middle finger on the 2nd string at the second fret. Strum all the strings.
8. Play the F Major chord by laying the side of your index finger over the 5th and 6th strings at the first fret, place your middle finger tip on the 4th string at the second fret and your ring finger tip on the 3rd string at the third fret. Strum strings 2 through 6.
9. Play the G Major chord with your ring finger on the 6th string at the third fret. This is a bit of a stretch but place your middle finger on the 1st string at the third fret and your index finger over the 2nd string at the second fret. Strum all strings.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut your finger nails to keep them out of the way.
• Do some finger exercises to strengthen your fingers.
• Practice for at least an hour a day. Many popular songs use only a few of these major chords. Learn to play guitar major chords and be amazed at how many songs you can play.
• The tips of your fingers will get sore when you first begin to play guitar. Beginners should consider using a classical guitar, because nylon strings are easier to depress than steel strings. Whichever you choose, your fingers will become callous where they contact the strings over time.