Guitar Lessons for Beginners: Top 10 Chords to Master
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Like any other musical instrument, learning to play guitar offers a rewarding experience. But you have to start with the basics to ensure you learn all the fundamentals required to become a real pro. One of the key steps in learning guitar is understanding and learning all the different chords. Chords are often referred to as the building blocks of songs. Therefore, you need to master playing them to build a strong foundation. Just by learning a few easy guitar chords, you can play hundreds and even thousands of timeless songs and tunes. Whether you’re aiming to strum some of your favorite rock songs or trying to get your fingers right at a new genre, knowing the basics is crucial before you can fulfill any of these desires.
In today’s guide, we’ll cover the top must-know guitar chords for beginners taking guitar lessons and explaining how they’re used in actual songs. These chords will help you build a strong core foundation in your journey of learning how to play guitar.
C Major
The C Major is one of the most basic chords that most beginners learn. It carries a bright and happy sound, making it ideal for a wide range of music genres. Whether it's folk, pop, country, or rock, C Major is a must for all these genres. "Imagine" by John Lennon, "Let It Be" by The Beatles, "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley, and "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the prominent songs that use the C Major chord. Learning how to play this chord might feel tricky for beginners because of the finger stretch involved, but with regular practice, it becomes second nature.
G Major
It’s another chord essential for beginners. The fuller, richer sound that it carries makes it a perfect addition to a song. G Major is one of the most commonly used chords in all genres, especially in ones like pop, country, and rock. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan, and "Hey Jude" by The Beatles are some of the most popular songs that use this chord. Mastering this chord is key to your becoming a well-rounded guitarist.
D Major
It’s another fundamental and widely used chord that guitarists play. Characterized by a crisp, bright sound, it's most often used in upbeat songs, providing listeners with a lively, energetic experience. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, and "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles are some of the popular songs that have a D Major in them. To play this chord, you need to finger the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string) with your index finger, then the 2nd fret of the low E string (6th string) with your middle finger, and lastly the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string) with your ring finger. Now you need to strum only the four thinnest strings (E, B, G, D) from the D string down.
A Major
Some of the most popular American songs featuring an A Major guitar chord are "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt, and "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. It’s a simple chord characterized by a smooth and clear sound. It’s widely used across many genres, especially blues, country, and rock. Based on its simplicity to play, it’s one of the most sought-after chords that beginners go with. To play it, you just need to put your three fingers close together on the second fret of the D, G, and B strings. Learning how to play it will give you a firm base to explore many musical styles.
E Major
Marked by a bright, upbeat, and positive sound comes the E Major chord. "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson, and "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen are some favorites featuring the E Major chord. The major reason for this chord carrying a full-bodied sound is the fact that it utilizes all six strings. To practice playing it, you need to place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string (G string), the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string (A string), and the ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (D string). Strum all six strings to achieve a fuller E major sound.
E Minor
Some famous songs featuring the E minor chord on guitar are "Sing" by Ed Sheeran, "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5, and "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica. It’s one of those chords that carries more of an emotional feel to it. You can usually notice this chord in genres like blues, rock, and ballads. Playing this chord is very easy, as it only involves two fingers. Because of its simplicity and the great feel it carries with it, it’s one of the few chords new players fall in love with during their journey to learn music. Practicing it is a great way to build confidence, especially when you’ve just gotten started with your learning journey.
A Minor
This chord sets the perfect example of how just a single note shift can drastically alter a chord’s mood. Just like E Minor, it also carries a sadder and more emotional feel to it. It's more common in genres like folk, blues, rock, and classical. “Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, and "Creep" by Radiohead are some of the more prominent songs that use the A Minor chord. Playing it is almost similar to E Major, with just a single difference, as in it you need to move down one string.
F Major
This chord marks a learning step for beginners learning how to play guitar, as it introduces them to a new concept of barre chords. Despite being a bit challenging in the beginning, students can easily learn how to play it with continuous practice. To simplify the learning process, you can follow an easy process that involves placing your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd string from the thin end), then using your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string) and then finally using your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D string (4th string) to then strum the D, G, and B strings.
D7
D7 is a dominant seventh chord that adds tension to a chord progression, making it a necessity in blues, jazz, and even country music. "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash and "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison are a few songs that feature the D7 chord. As an easy-to-use and beginner-friendly chord, it proves to be a worthy addition to the list of chords that beginners need to learn. To play it, you need to place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string (B), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (G), and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string (E). Then you need to strum the top four strings (D to E) to successfully play the D7 chord.
B7
This again is a dominant seventh chord, including a root, perfect fifth, major third, and a minor seventh. It would be a perfect addition to musical pieces requiring a bit of tension. While it’s a bit tricky, it’s one of the best chords to learn for beginners, especially when they are leveling up in their learning journey. While its full 5-string version might be a bit tricky for beginners to learn, they can practice its 3-string variation to build a playing flow. For it, students need to place their index finger on the 1st fret of the D string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the E string, and they need to strum all the strings.
Key Takeaways
Starting guitar lessons with these must-know guitar chords is a sure-fire way to start your music journey with a solid foundation. Endless musical possibilities await you after you learn how to play these chords. Each chord carries its own unique character that can help you develop the skills needed to play the songs that you love the most. Remember, the journey to learning music is never a constant one; it’s full of ups and downs. While some chords may take some more practice time than others, it definitely will be worth the effort in the end.
For those looking for a reliable music school for learning how to play guitar, consider joining us at Music House School Of Music. We’re a top choice for beginners as we offer personalized lessons that are sure to make learning fun and easy for beginners. We’ll be there with you at every step of the learning journey, guiding you through the ups and downs that you may face during the learning process.