Lesson 2:First Chords

How to learn a new chord

First, you have to realize - especially when first starting out that it's going to take time. Experienced players can learn a chord almost instantly. Beginners just need to work on it.

• Place your fingers one at a time until they are comfortable.
• Sometimes there is more then one way to place your fingers. There is no Right way.
• Strum each chord to hear the sound and get a feeling for it. If you hear muting (a dull, solid sound), be sure your fingers are well placed. They can't be touching other strings.
• Make sure when you strum not to strum strings marked with an X at the top of the chord diagram.
• Switch between chords until you can get them in less then 5 seconds and they sound decent.
• Your fingers will probably start to hurt. Be sure to take breaks. The more you practice the quicker it won't hurt!
• Try to make a simple progression with these chords. Try G-C-D-D for example and use some simple strumming.

Below each chord is the tablature form. You haven't learned how to read tablature yet - but it's coming up next. See if you can figure out how the similarities between chord diagrams and tablature.

G

    o o o  
===========
| | | | | |
-----------
| X | | | |
-----------
X | | | | X
-----------
| | | | | |

or in TAB form:

E|----3
B|----0
G|----0
D|----0
A|----2
E|----3

C

x     o   o 
===========
| | | | X |
-----------
| | X | | |
-----------
| X | | | |
-----------
| | | | | |

or in TAB form:

E|----0
G|----1
B|----0
D|----2
A|----3
E|-----

D

x x o      
===========
| | | | | |
-----------
| | | X | X
-----------
| | | | X |
-----------
| | | | | |

or in TAB form:

E|----2
B|----3
G|----2
D|----0
A|-----
E|-----

E

o       o o
===========
| | | X | |
-----------
| X X | | |
-----------
| | | | | |
-----------
| | | | | |

or in TAB form:

E|----0
B|----0
G|----1
D|----2
A|----2
E|----0