As a beginner guitarist, learning chords is an essential part of your musical journey. Chords provide the harmonic foundation for a song, and give you the ability to play a wide range of music on the guitar.
In this beginner’s guide to understanding guitar chords, we’ll go over the different types of chords and how to play them, as well as provide tips for improving your chord playing skills. Whether you’re just starting out on the guitar or have been playing for a while, this guide will help you take your chord playing to the next level.
Basic Major and Minor Chords
One of the first things you’ll want to learn when it comes to chords is how to play major and minor chords. Major chords have a bright, happy sound, while minor chords have a more somber, introspective sound.
To play a major chord, you’ll start by placing your first finger on the first fret of the second string. Then, place your second finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Finally, strum all six strings to play the chord.
To play a minor chord, the finger placement is similar, but you’ll use your second finger on the first fret of the second string and your third finger on the first fret of the fourth string. Again, strum all six strings to play the chord.
Once you’ve learned how to play major and minor chords, you can start incorporating them into your playing. Some common chord progressions using major and minor chords include:
- I-IV-V (e.g. C-F-G)
- ii-V-I (e.g. Dm-G-C)
- iii-vi-ii-V (e.g. Em-Am-Dm-G)
Seventh Chords
Seventh chords add an additional note to the basic major and minor chords, creating a more complex, interesting sound. There are two main types of seventh chords: major seventh chords and minor seventh chords.
To play a major seventh chord, you’ll start by playing a major chord as described above. Then, add your fourth finger to the third fret of the first string. This will give you the major seventh chord.
To play a minor seventh chord, you’ll start by
playing a minor chord as described above. Then, add your fourth finger to the third fret of the first string. This will give you the minor seventh chord.
Some common chord progressions using seventh chords include:
- I-vi-IV-V (e.g. C-Am-F-G)
- ii-IV-V (e.g. Dm-F-G)
- iii-vi-ii-IV (e.g. Em-Am-Dm-F)
Extended Chords
Extended chords add even more notes to the basic major and minor chords, creating a more complex and rich sound. There are several types of extended chords, including ninth chords, eleventh chords, and thirteenth chords.
To play a ninth chord, you’ll start by playing a major or minor chord as described above, and then add your fourth finger to the second fret of the fifth string. This will give you the ninth chord.
To play an eleventh chord, you’ll start by playing a major or minor chord as described above, and then add your fourth finger to the second fret of the fifth string and your first finger to the first fret of the first string. This will give you the eleventh chord.
To play a thirteenth chord, you’ll start by playing a major or minor chord as described above, and then add your fourth finger to the second fret of the fifth string, your first finger to the first fret of the first string, and your second finger to the second fret of the second string. This will give you the thirteenth chord.
Some common chord progressions using extended chords include:
- I-IV-vi-V (e.g. C-F-Am-G)
- ii-IV-vi-V (e.g. Dm-F-Am-G)
- iii-vi-IV-V (e.g. Em-Am-F-G)
Suspended Chords
Suspended chords are a type of chord that replaces the third of a major or minor chord with either a perfect fourth or a major second. There are two main types of suspended chords: suspended fourth chords and suspended second chords.
To play a suspended fourth chord, you’ll start by playing a major or minor chord as described above, but instead of placing your third finger on the second fret of the fourth string, you’ll leave it open. This will give you the suspended fourth chord.
To play a suspended second chord, you’ll start by playing a major or minor chord as described above, but instead of placing your second finger on the second fret of the third string, you’ll leave it open. This will give you the suspended second chord.
Some common chord progressions using suspended chords include:
- I-IV-V (e.g. C-F-G)
- ii-IV-V (e.g. Dsus4-F-G)
- iii-vi-IV-V (e.g. Esus2-Am-F-G)
Other Types of Chords
In addition to the chords we’ve already covered, there are several other types of chords that you might encounter in your guitar playing. These include diminished chords, augmented chords, and dominant seventh chords.
To play a diminished chord, you’ll start by playing a minor chord as described above, and then lower the fifth of the chord by a half step (one fret). This will give you the diminished chord.
To play an augmented chord, you’ll start by playing a major chord as described above, and then raise the fifth of the chord by a half step (one fret). This will give you the augmented chord.
To play a dominant seventh chord, you’ll start by playing a major chord as described above, and then add your fourth finger to the second fret of the fifth string. This will give you the dominant seventh chord.
Tips for Improving Your Chord Playing
Now that you have a basic understanding of the different types of chords and how to play them, here are some tips for improving your chord playing skills:
- Practice regularly: As with any aspect of playing the guitar, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Make sure to set aside time every day to work on your chords, and you’ll see your skills improve over time.
- Experiment with different chord voicings: There are many different ways you can play each chord, and experimenting with different voicings can help add variety and interest to your playing. Try playing chords in different positions on the neck, or using different numbers of strings to play the same chord.
- Use a chord chart or dictionary: A chord chart or dictionary is a valuable resource for learning new chords. These resources provide diagrams and notation for a wide range of chords, making it easier to learn and
incorporate new chords into your playing.
- Incorporate chords into your guitar practice routine: In addition to practicing chords on their own, try incorporating them into your overall guitar practice routine. Play along with songs that use chords, or try writing your own music using chords. This will help you get more comfortable using chords in a musical context.
Conclusion
Learning guitar chords is an essential part of your journey as a musician, and with some practice and dedication, you can master a wide range of chords and use them to play a wide range of music. By following the tips outlined in this beginner’s guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled chord player.
So grab your guitar, and start practicing! With some time and effort, you’ll be playing all your favorite songs in no time.
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