How to Play Beginner Guitar Chords

It only takes a few chords to start sounding like a pro on the guitar. Almost every guitar player starts out by learning the following chords. It takes a bit of practice to get your fingers in the right places and to press hard enough with each finger, but you'll probably be able to master these in just a few days.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the basic terminology of guitar-playing. The highest-pitched, thinnest string is called the "first string," the one above that is the "second string," and so on until the lowest, "sixth string." The bars on the neck running perpendicular to the strings are called "frets," so when someone says, "put your finger on the first fret," they mean to press the tip of your finger just to the left of the first fret, so that you get a clear tone.

2. Press the tip of your ring finger on the third fret of the second string. Now put your index finger on the second fret of the third string and your middle finger on the second fret of the first string. Strum only the first four strings to make a D major chord.

3. Change the D major chord to a D minor chord by putting your index finger on the first fret of the first string, your middle finger on the second fret of the third string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the second string. Again, strum the first four strings to sound a D minor chord.

4. Put your middle finger on the second fret of the fifth string, your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your index finger on the first fret of the third string. Strum all of the strings, even the ones you are not fretting, to make an E major chord.

5. Sounding an E minor chord is easy: just do an E major chord, and lift off your index finger.

6. Play an A major chord by putting your index finger on the second fret of the fourth string, your middle finger on the second fret of the third string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the second string. Strum only the first four strings.

Tips & Warnings

• Add one finger at a time until each note rings clear.

• Practice every chord until you memorize it, and then try to switch between the different chords, building up speed.

• Don't get frustrated if some notes start to buzz when you place your third finger. The only way your hands can gain the strength they need to play each chord clearly is by practicing.