Lesson 6 / 30 8 min
Your first chords
Em, Am, C, G, D, E and A: the open chords behind thousands of songs.
A chord is three or more notes played together. The chords in this lesson are called open chords, because they use open strings. With just these seven shapes you can play thousands of songs.
Click each diagram to hear it. Learn them in the order shown — from easiest to hardest.
1. E minor (Em) and E major (E)
Em uses only two fingers and all six strings. Then add your index finger and you get E major.
2. A minor (Am) and A major (A)
Same shape as E/Em, moved one string over! Don't play the low E string (×).
For A major, many players squeeze fingers 1, 2 and 3 side by side on the 2nd fret. If your fingers feel too big, try fingers 2, 3 and 4 instead — whatever lets the 1st string ring.
3. D major (D)
Play only the top four strings. The D chord has a nice triangle shape.
4. C major (C) and G major (G)
These two need a bigger stretch. Take your time.
How to make chords sound clean
- Press with your fingertips, fingers arched like a claw, so you don't touch neighboring strings.
- Place each finger close to its fret.
- Play the chord one string at a time, slowly. If a string is muted or buzzes, adjust that finger.
- Then strum all the strings together.
Sore fingers are normal
Your fingertips will hurt for the first couple of weeks. Practice in short sessions (10–15 minutes) several times a day. The pain goes away as calluses form.
Your first progressions
A progression is a sequence of chords. Strum each chord four times (down strums on each beat) and switch. Press Play to hear them.
That last one — G, D, Em, C — is one of the most common progressions in pop music. You'll find it in an enormous number of songs! In the next lesson we'll make your strumming sound more musical.