The Ultimate Guide to Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners

Did you know that learning a few easy guitar chords can allow you to play a wide variety of songs? The guitar is a beginner-friendly instrument, even for kids. We understand that beginning something from scratch can be intimidating and perplexing.

As a result, we’re giving you the ultimate guide to playing any song on the guitar using only eight chords, which goes over almost everything a beginner guitarist needs to know about the instrument. We’ll help you find ways to make your journey more enjoyable and manageable, from holding your guitar to learning chords to playing great music!

Let’s get into it!

How can I get started playing the guitar?

Building correct habits at the start is crucial because changing your habits gets difficult once you play incorrectly and get used to it.

You should be aware of a few things to feel prepared to begin playing the guitar before diving right into the chords and strumming patterns. This is crucial because it will strengthen your foundation and assist you in overcoming any obstacles or misunderstandings you face. If you feel like getting some support as you start out, getting a guitar instructor is a great idea. You can check out Lessonpal’s awesome guitar tutors, but until then, let’s keep going!

We’ll lay the foundation together, and with time and effort, you will be able to play the chords, strum, and play any song.

First things first, you need a guitar to be able to play.

Buying a guitar

Don’t worry if you still need to buy a guitar. It is very common for a beginner to be unsure about which one to buy, especially if you don’t have anyone to help you. Choosing the best guitar for your needs out of many options can be overwhelming. However, you can identify the guitar that best suits your needs with the correct information.

To simplify the selection process, it is beneficial to consider a few criteria:

1. Size

Guitars are available in many different sizes. The size affects the guitar’s tonal quality and enhances your ability to play. Before settling on one, experiment with various guitar sizes to determine what suits you and discard the rest.

2. Budget

Establishing a budget can help you focus on the guitars that fit your financial strategy and eliminate some of your options. The average cost of a beginner guitar is around $150 for a decent guitar.

You can scroll through the market’s wide selection of guitars, ranging from low-cost models to high-end instruments, until you find the ideal one.

Try checking out Killer Guitar Rigs or Guitar Center’s websites to check out options.

3. Quality

When assessing the guitar’s quality, you should pay attention to its material; the sound should be well-balanced and resonant. Consider looking into other well-known guitar manufacturers like Gibson, Fender, and others.

If you’re thinking about buying a guitar online, spend some time reading customer reviews. You can understand a lot about a guitar by hearing about others’ experiences. Some specialized websites also review guitars, and they can offer helpful information.

However, stopping by a nearby music store can be the best option. Going into a store allows you to play each guitar in person and see what you prefer.

Always research and test various options before purchasing, whether online or in person. You’ll be more confident and happy with your new guitar.

Guitar anatomy

If you want to become proficient at playing the guitar, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its various components. Let’s take a look at what parts make up the guitar.

Guitar body

The hollow, resonating part of the guitar is the body of the guitar. This piece is where you strum, and this is the part responsible for amplifying the sound produced by the string.

Soundhole – Located just behind the strings, the circular soundhole plays a crucial role in projecting the guitar’s sound. As you play directly over the soundhole, the sound resonates more strongly, resulting in a louder and more vibrant tone. As you move away from the soundhole, the sound becomes softer and quieter.
Bridge – Situated below the soundhole, the bridge serves as an anchor point for one end of each string. The purpose of the bridge is to anchor the strings firmly and hold them in place.
Saddle – The saddle, typically made of plastic or other materials, rests atop the bridge. The primary function of the saddle is to maintain the distance between the strings and the guitar’s body. The effect is better playability, and it prevents buzzing or intonation issues.

Guitar neck

The neck connects the head to the guitar’s body and plays a crucial role in fretting notes and changing strings to create chords.

Fretboard – The fretboard is a flat, elongated wooden surface along the guitar’s neck. It serves as the area where you play guitar chords, and the pitch of the notes increases as you move closer to the body.
Fret – Sections called frets divide the fretboard. Pressing on the frets produces different sounds. The pitch of the note changes depending on which fret you press.
Fret Wire – Fret wires are the metal materials positioned between frets, distinguishing them from one another.
Fret Markers – These are small dots across the fretboard, serving as visual guides to help you identify specific fret positions without counting from the beginning. Common fret markers are found on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 19th frets, depending on the guitar’s design.
Nut – Positioned at the end of the neck, joining it to the headstock, the nut has grooves that securely hold the strings, maintaining their alignment and keeping them in place.

Guitar headstock

The headstock is a vital component attached to the neck of the guitar and houses the tuning pegs. While the design of the headstock may vary between different guitar models, it does not significantly impact the instrument’s tonal quality.

Tuning Pegs – Tuning pegs, also known as tuners, are affixed to the headstock. Each string on the guitar winds around its corresponding tuning peg. These pegs play a crucial role in tuning the guitar. To adjust the pitch of the strings, you simply turn the tuning pegs clockwise or counterclockwise as needed. The number of tuning pegs corresponds to the number of strings on the guitar, and each string has its designated peg.

How to hold a guitar

Being comfortable with your guitar is very important to enhance overall comfort and enjoyment while you’re practicing or performing. So, it is crucial to understand hand placement and posture that should be maintained while holding the guitar. Let’s see how:

Step 1: Position the guitar

Start by sitting on a chair with a straight back. Place the guitar on your right thigh (if you’re right-handed) or left thigh (left-handed). The guitar’s body should rest against your stomach and chest comfortably. Find that sweet spot.

Step 2: Hand placement for strumming

Right-handed

Your right arm should rest on the top edge of the guitar’s body. Your wrist should be relaxed, and your hand should be near the guitar’s soundhole. Let your hand naturally curve; your fingers should hover over the strings. You’ll use a pick or your fingers to strum or pluck the strings from this position.

Left-handed

Place your left-hand fingers on the neck of the guitar. Your thumb should rest on the back of the neck, opposite your fingers. Your fingertips should press down just behind the fret wires to create clear notes. Keep your fingers curved at 90° and your wrist relaxed to avoid muting the strings or causing strain.

Step 4: Maintain good posture

Sit up straight with your back against the chair. Avoid slouching. The guitar’s neck should be at a comfortable angle, not pointing too far upward or downward. Good posture helps your left hand move along the fretboard smoothly.

A student learning easy guitar chords. — Image by storyset on Freepik

Tuning the guitar

The next step is to tune the guitar to produce the best possible sound and allow you to play in tune with other instruments.

Let’s see how!

The first thing you will require to tune the guitar is a tuner. A tuner is a device to adjust the pitch of musical instruments to tune each string to the correct note. You can opt for a clip-on tuner or download a tuning app on your phone for convenience.
Identify the strings and their corresponding tuning pegs to ensure you turn the right peg for each string.
Let’s start with the E string. Strike the string and observe the tuner. You might see that the pitch displayed on the tuner might be way too high (sharp) or too low (flat).
Turn the corresponding tuning peg clockwise if the E string is too low. If it’s too high, turn it counterclockwise.
Repeat the process for the A, G, D, B, and E strings. Pluck each string, observe the tuner, and adjust the tension to achieve the correct pitch.
Once you’ve tuned all four strings, strum them each again to ensure they are precisely in tune. Fine-tune as needed to achieve the most accurate pitch.

Useful guitar accessories and tools

Metronome

While you play music, a metronome acts as your rhythmic guide by maintaining a constant beat or tempo. You can develop a strong sense of timing and rhythm by adhering to its steady beat, which is essential, especially when playing with others. Everyone needs to be coordinated to ensure a seamless performance in these circumstances.

Set the metronome to a slower tempo at the start, which will help you find a natural rhythm. You can gradually up the tempo as you become more comfortable with the pace.

This routine helps you play more quickly over time and maintain consistency.

Transpose feature

This feature allows you to easily change a song’s pitch, which makes it perfect for experimenting with various vocal ranges or streamlining chord progressions. You will be able to find this feature on many websites.

Guitarists can change the song’s key to accommodate each singer’s vocal range with this feature, making for a more relaxed and enjoyable performance.

Additionally, changing the pitch of a song often results in more straightforward and frequent chord shapes, which are perfect for players who prefer accessible finger placements. Guitarists can experiment with a variety of chord progressions thanks to this feature.

Capo

A capo is a clamp that goes over a guitar’s fretboard to raise the instrument’s pitch. Guitarists can play songs and chords in higher keys using a capo with the same chord shapes and finger placements.

If a song is too high or low for a singer’s vocal range, placing the capo on a suitable fret can bring the music to a more comfortable pitch for the vocalist.

When placing the capo, it’s important to remember that guitarists call the fret after the capo the “first fret.” The fret after that is the second fret, and so on.

Understanding and reading the chord grids

A chord grid diagram, also known as a chord chart or chord diagram, is a visual representation of a chord formation on a guitar or other stringed instrument.

The chord grid diagram provides specific information about forming a chord by indicating the finger placements on the strings and frets.

The chord-grid diagram consists of the following:

Horizontal lines that represent fret wires
Frets are present between two consecutive fret wires
Vertical lines are the strings
The thickest E string is the left-most vertical line, while the thinnest E string is the right-most one
O signifies that the string is an open string, and you play it
While the X means don’t play the string
The numbers on the strings indicate which finger to use and where to place each finger.

Try figuring out the finger placements of each chord. Start with the most straightforward guitar chords to advance into the complex ones.

Try out different variations of the same chord to broaden your horizon. Doing so will help you adapt to different playing styles and chord progressions.

Eight guitar chords to play almost any song

Although exploring and learning multiple chords can help you in your guitar journey, knowing all the chords out there is optional. You can stick to the basic ones and still be able to play most of the songs out there.

These are some easy guitar chords that you can start with, and as you become more confident in your playing, you can gradually introduce more complex chords and explore different variations. Let’s check out some of the most basic guitar chords.

C major

To form the C major chord:

Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A-string
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string.

The C chord has a bright and cheerful sound, making it perfect for many songs, especially those in the key of C major.

A minor

To form the A minor chord:

Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string

E major

To form the E major chord:

Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string

G major

To form the G major chord:

Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the thinnest E string
Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the thickest E string
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string

E minor

To form the E minor chord:

Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string

D major

To form the D major chord:

Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the thinnest E string
Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string

D minor

To form the D minor chord:

Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
Index finger on the 1st fret of the thinnest E string

A major

To form the A major chord:

Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B string
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string

Strumming the guitar

Now that you’ve mastered holding chords, it’s time to shift our focus to strumming.

Guitar strumming techniques

1. Finger strumming

When strumming with your fingers, you have two options: using your thumb or the fingernail of your index finger. If you opt for thumb strumming, position it above the strings and move it up and down to create a soft and gentle sound, perfect for slower songs and ballads.

On the other hand, using your index finger’s nail requires angling the finger downwards, above the strings, and making contact with them during the strumming motion.

2. Pick strumming

Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger for pick strumming, with the pointed end facing downward towards the strings. Have a firm but not overly tight grip.

This technique allows for greater precision and brightness in your strumming, making it ideal for various genres and playing styles.

For further guidance, refer to the video below to see how to strum with a pick.

Where to strum the guitar?

Strumming the guitar can be confusing for many beginners. “Where exactly do I strum?” “Which part of the guitar makes the best sound?”

Don’t sweat; every guitar has a sweet spot that produces a well-balanced and resonant sound.

The sweet spot is typically located in front of the sound hole.

Take the time to explore different strumming positions on your guitar, paying close attention to the tone produced at each point. As you strum across the strings with your fingers or a pick, listen closely to how the sound changes when you strum closer to the fretboard, the bridge, or around the sweet spot. Observe the differences in tone, volume, and resonance.

Let your wrist take the lead

Strumming with your wrist instead of your entire arm is a fundamental technique that will positively impact your playing. Strumming with your arm is a common beginner mistake. However, with some attention and practice, you can correct it before it becomes a habit that’s hard to break.

When you’re strumming, focus on using your wrist to create the rhythmic motion. Keep your arm relaxed and let your wrist take the lead. By doing so, you’ll find that your strumming becomes more fluid and precise.

A loose wrist also reduces tension and strain, preventing potential discomfort or injuries from prolonged playing sessions. As you strum with your wrist, be mindful of any tension creeping into your arm or hand, and make a conscious effort to release it. The goal is to achieve a relaxed and comfortable strumming motion.

Six easy guitar strumming patterns

The strumming pattern significantly influences your performance’s overall musicality and expression. You can easily add emotion and depth to your music by varying the speed, emphasis, and direction of your strumming.

Your strumming choices can significantly impact the song’s overall mood, whether you want to convey an exhilarating burst of energy or a soft and comforting atmosphere.

As you become more familiar with strumming patterns, you’ll have the confidence to experiment and improvise. You can modify existing patterns or create your own, infusing your music with originality and creativity.

Before you start strumming, keep your metronome on to check your rhythm!

What is 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &?
In a strumming pattern, “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &” refers to the rhythmic counting of beats while strumming a musical instrument, such as a guitar or guitar. The numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent the main beats of a measure, and the “&” symbols represent the subdivisions between the beats called the half beats.

So, a whole beat is made up of 2 half beats: 1 (half beat) and & (half beat) being one whole beat, 2 (half beat) and & (half beat) being one whole beat, and so on. This counting system helps musicians maintain a steady rhythm and stay in sync with the song’s timing.

Now, without further delay, let’s dive into strumming patterns!

Strumming pattern #1

Let’s start with the easiest strumming pattern: all down strums. All you have got to do is simply strike the strings in a downward motion using your fingers or a pick. Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm as you strum all the strings in one fluid motion.

To further enhance your strumming proficiency, consider practicing along with a metronome. A metronome is a valuable tool that sets a precise tempo, helping you develop a strong sense of timing and stay in sync with the beat. You can improve your rhythm’s consistency and ensure you hit every note precisely on the beat by strumming with the metronome.

Strumming pattern #2

To play the D-X-D-X strumming pattern, start with a down strum. Next, do a muted strum by brushing your fingers or palm across the strings lightly.

Prepare for the second down strum with the same motion. Follow it with another muted strum to complete the pattern.

Strumming pattern #3

For the D-DU-UDU strumming pattern, start by strumming down across the strings. On the next beat, perform a down-up strum (DU), which means you strum down and then immediately strum up across the strings. After skipping a half beat, strum up across the strings, strum down, and finally, strum up again.

Strumming pattern #4

For the strumming pattern DUXD-DX, start by strumming down across the strings and then immediately do an up strum. Follow it up with a palm mute and a down strum. Skip a half beat and play a down strum followed by a palm mute.

Strumming pattern #5

In the strumming patterns we saw earlier, the time signature was 4/4, which means there are four beats in a measure, and the quarter note (a note that gets one beat) receives one beat.

The strumming pattern D-DUDU has a time signature of 3/4, meaning three beats are in a measure, and the quarter note (1/4 note) gets one beat.

Here, we play a down strum, skip a half beat and play a down strum immediately followed by an up strum, down strum, and then again up strum.

Strumming pattern #6

The time signature of this one is also 3/4. We first play a down strumming pattern for the D-XD-X strum and then skip a beat. Then we mute the strings, followed by a down strum. We skip the next half beat and play a down strum afterward.

What to expect as a beginner guitar player

Learning the guitar will be a challenge. There will be hurdles that require some genuine effort and dedication to overcome. It’s helpful to know what challenges might come your way, so you can be ready to tackle them head-on. Let’s look into them individually and see how to overcome each one.

Slow chord transitions

At the beginning of your guitar journey, facing challenges with chord transitions is a usual experience. As a beginner, your fingers are adapting to each chord shape’s unique finger placements.

Simultaneously, your mind is actively processing the chord patterns while coordinating your fingers to land in the correct positions. All in all, shifting from one chord to another can feel like a complex task. It takes more time than expected to get used to it!

During this initial stage, your fingers might respond more slowly than you’d like. Achieving smooth and quick chord changes will take practice. It’s completely normal to encounter these hurdles while you work on developing muscle memory and coordination.

To overcome this, you can:

Use a metronome. Begin with a slower tempo, and as you gain confidence playing it at a faster tempo, gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable.
Identify troublesome chords and practice those transitions until you feel comfortable with them.
Visualize the transition and mentally picture the finger movements required for the chord change.

Finger soreness

Your fingers are adjusting to the movements and strings, which can result in discomfort and tenderness. This happens because you’re using muscles and applying pressure in ways your fingers aren’t accustomed to yet.

As you progress and continue practicing, your fingers will gradually become used to the demands of playing the guitar, and the soreness will diminish over time.

It’s all part of the learning process; with consistent practice, your fingers will adapt and toughen up!

To overcome this, you can:

Practice regularly to build your finger muscles and callouses.
Start slow with short practice sessions and increase the duration of the sessions as your fingers build strength. Don’t push yourself hard to get it right on the first go, leading to excessive soreness.

Maintaining a steady tempo

While learning your first few chords and strumming patterns, rhythm fluctuations are common. The tempo might speed up or slow down unintentionally, affecting the overall flow of your playing.

However, this challenge is a natural part of the learning process, and you can overcome it with practice and focused effort.

To overcome this, you can:

Use a metronome. Start with a slower tempo and keep increasing the tempo as you go.
Play along with the tracks. Your primary focus should be aligning your chords to the song’s rhythm.

Getting comfortable with strumming patterns

Understanding and managing strumming patterns might seem puzzling, especially if you’re new to playing the guitar. Coordinating chord changes with hand movements can be tricky, resulting in initial difficulties.

However, it’s important to remember that this challenge is common for beginners. Don’t worry if you find it confusing initially – you’re not alone in facing this obstacle.

To overcome this, you can:

Say it out loud. To make sure that you know what you are doing and to register the strumming pattern in your mind.
Build muscle memory. Keep practicing the strumming pattern until your hands get used to it. Aim to reach a stage where your hands can execute the pattern effortlessly without requiring conscious focus.
Practice along with the music. This helps you adapt your strumming to different genres and styles.

Muting the strings

Do you encounter issues while playing the strings? Do they not produce the sound you’re going for? For instance, do the strings sometimes seem partially or entirely muted? This situation typically arises due to two primary reasons:

You might need to apply more pressure on the strings. To produce clear tones, make sure that your fingers firmly press the strings against the frets.
Another factor could be accidental contact with a string you shouldn’t be touching. This interference can result in muted or unwanted sounds. Pay attention to your finger positioning to prevent unintentional contact with neighboring strings. Try arching your fingers at right angles to prevent this from happening.

You can significantly enhance the sound quality by addressing these two factors – applying proper pressure and maintaining accurate finger placement.

How important is regular guitar practice?

Imagine easily strumming your guitar, confidently playing your favorite songs, and impressing your audience with your skilled performance. Reaching this level demands consistent and focused practice – that’s the key.

When you’re beginning your guitar journey, set aside at least 20 minutes for daily practice. A regular practice routine lays the groundwork for improvement.

As you invest time each day, you’ll observe smoother chord transitions and gradually overcome the initial awkwardness many new players experience.

Also, your strumming patterns will progressively lose their mechanical feel and become more natural. Your progress will be very evident!

Keep in mind that while innate talent can contribute, it’s the dedication that genuinely shapes your guitar-playing progress.

Importance of recording yourself

Recording yourself while playing the guitar is a powerful tool for improving your technique. Gaining insights makes it possible to spot improvement opportunities, fix errors, and enhance skills. Self-evaluation is encouraged, which is essential for musical development.

Listening to your recordings simplifies spotting mistakes, helping you fix them through regular practice. It guides your learning process, making it easier to become better at playing.

Moreover, this approach is excellent for understanding yourself. It helps you determine what you’re good at and where to improve. Listening lets you hear how loud or soft you’re playing and how your chords flow.

As you listen more, your sense of music sharpens. You start noticing small things like how your notes sound, and you get better at adding some improvisation.

Recording yourself is simple; even a smartphone works. Use the recording to help you get better at playing. It’s a way to fix mistakes, improve skills, and become more aware of your music.

Setting goals and tracking progress

Setting goals and tracking your progress can yield satisfying and motivating results. This process gives you a clear understanding of your accomplishments and establishes a structured path for your learning journey.

You define your objectives and aspirations by setting goals and directing your efforts. This organized approach ensures you remain engaged in your guitar learning.

The benefits of guitar instructors

While you can self-teach yourself guitar, instructors are super helpful in guiding you in the beginning and getting you on the right track. With lessons, you gain more confidence, master techniques, and develop your skills.

One-on-one interaction with an experienced teacher allows you to ask questions and get feedback. Try out one of Lessonpal’s excellent Guitar tutors and get started with this great instrument today.

Frequently asked questions about learning guitar

1. How hard is it to learn the guitar?

Learning the guitar is relatively easy and is an excellent choice for beginners. The guitar’s size is manageable and has fewer strings than other instruments, making it more approachable. Its simple chord structures and lightweight strings make producing clear notes and learning basic chords easier.

2. Can I teach myself to play the guitar?

Yes! Plenty of online tutorials, resources, and beginner-friendly songs are available to help you get started. With consistent practice and dedication, you can quickly grasp fundamental chords and strumming patterns and even start playing songs in a short amount of time.

3. How long does it take to learn the guitar?

It depends on a lot of factors. It can take more time if you don’t have prior music knowledge.

The big picture

If you’re looking to get into music and learn an instrument, the guitar is a great place to start! With this guide, you can’t go wrong in kicking off your journey. Use the tips we’ve laid out here and check out Lessonpal’s online Guitar tutors! You can also start with the list of songs

Top 50 easy guitar songs for beginners

How can I get started playing the guitar?

Buying a guitar

1. Size

2. Budget

3. Quality

Guitar anatomy

Guitar body

Guitar neck

Guitar headstock

How to hold a guitar

Step 1: Position the guitar

Step 2: Hand placement for strumming

Right-handed

Left-handed

Step 4: Maintain good posture

Tuning the guitar

Useful guitar accessories and tools

Metronome

Transpose feature

Capo

Understanding and reading the chord grids

Eight guitar chords to play almost any song

C major

A minor

E major

G major

E minor

D major

D minor

A major

Strumming the guitar

Guitar strumming techniques

1. Finger strumming

2. Pick strumming

Where to strum the guitar?

Let your wrist take the lead

Six easy guitar strumming patterns

Strumming pattern #1

Strumming pattern #2

Strumming pattern #3

Strumming pattern #4

Strumming pattern #5

Strumming pattern #6

What to expect as a beginner guitar player

Slow chord transitions

Finger soreness

Maintaining a steady tempo

Getting comfortable with strumming patterns

Muting the strings

How important is regular guitar practice?

Importance of recording yourself

Setting goals and tracking progress

The benefits of guitar instructors

Frequently asked questions about learning guitar

1. How hard is it to learn the guitar?

2. Can I teach myself to play the guitar?

3. How long does it take to learn the guitar?

The big picture

Top 50 easy guitar songs for beginners

1. Paranoid by Black Sabbath

2. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

3. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

4. Marry You by Bruno Mars

5. Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty

6. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi

7. Lean On Me by Bill Withers

8. Let It Be by The Beatles

9. Zombie by The Cranberries

10. Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles

11. Stand By Me by Ben E. King

12. Someone Like You by Adele

13. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

14. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

15. Yellow by Coldplay

16. Yellow Submarine by The Beatles

17. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

18. Jolene by Dolly Parton

19. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan

20. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

21. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver