| One of the first challenges faced by the | | | | Em, F, G |
| advancing guitar player is learning a core group of | | | | These chords can be best learned as chord |
| basic guitar chords. Why is it so important to learn | | | | "families" (by key) that can be combined into |
| these basic chords? Chords form the backbone | | | | great-sounding chord sequences that make up |
| of most rock and pop songs, and provide the | | | | lots of popular songs. Using this chord family |
| harmonic accompaniment to the melody and | | | | approach is much more interesting and useful than |
| instrumental solos. | | | | just memorizing a bunch of chords in random |
| Rhythm guitar based on basic chords provides | | | | order! |
| many of the most memorable rock riffs... think | | | | These chords grouped by chord family (key) are |
| AC/DC's "Back in Black" or The Who's "Won't Get | | | | as follows: |
| Fooled Again". What's really amazing is that by | | | | A Family (Key of A): A, D, E |
| learning no more than 10 to 15 basic guitar chords, | | | | D Family (Key of D): D, Em, G, A |
| you will be equipped to play thousands of rock | | | | G Family (Key of G): G, Am, C, D, Em |
| and pop songs! | | | | C Family (Key of C): C, Dm, Em, F, G |
| First let's establish the definition of a chord. A | | | | Tips for Learning the Basic Chords: |
| chord is three or more different musical notes | | | | 1. Pick a Chord Family and master it. This will give |
| played together. In the case of the guitar, this | | | | you quick success and let you play great sounding |
| means that at least three strings are strummed | | | | progressions right away. |
| or plucked simultaneously to sound three or more | | | | 2. Use a Guitar Chord Chart as a reference tool. |
| notes. Since the guitar has six strings, the | | | | A chord chart shows each chord as an easy to |
| maximum numbers of notes in a guitar chord is | | | | read "chord diagram" with exact finger positions. |
| six. All chords can be placed in one of three | | | | See this example of a chart of basic guitar |
| groups based on the musical structure of the | | | | chords. |
| chord: Major, Minor, or Seventh. Each of these | | | | 3. Find the chords and lyrics for an easy song that |
| chord groups has its own "sound" or "feel". Major | | | | is based on the chord family so you can apply |
| chords sound stable and complete. Minor chords | | | | your skills. Many great songs are based on only |
| can evoke a more somber or pensive mood, and | | | | three chords! |
| Seventh chords are jazzy and somewhat | | | | 4. Ensure each string sounds right. Take care to |
| incomplete sounding. | | | | make sure that each string is sounding clearly, and |
| There is no standard list of "basic guitar chords" | | | | that only the strings that should be played are |
| that every one agrees to. However, there is | | | | played. |
| general agreement that there is a list of | | | | 5. Practice, practice, practice! Every day, practice |
| somewhere between 8 and 18 basic guitar chords | | | | continually change from one chord to another until |
| (open string) that every guitarist must know cold. | | | | you can do it rapidly. Learn the chord families one |
| These chords are used in all musical styles from | | | | at a time. |
| rock and pop to country, jazz, and classical. No | | | | 6. Master all the basic chords first. Only then |
| matter where you are on your guitar-playing path, | | | | move on to Barre chords and other more |
| you should take the time to learn and master the | | | | complex chords. First things first! |
| basic chords. Getting these right will ensure you | | | | 7. Expand with 7th chords. As a next step you |
| have the basic tools and skills to learn many | | | | can easily expand on your basic chord knowledge |
| songs and increase your playing enjoyment. | | | | by adding 7th and minor 7th chords based on the |
| So what are the basic guitar chords? Our basic | | | | nine basic major and minor chords. |
| stable includes the major and minor chords from | | | | 8. Have fun using your new skills! Enjoy your |
| four common musical keys, A,G,C, and D. They | | | | musical ability by applying it to learning a small set |
| are played as "open chords", that is at least one | | | | of 5-10 songs you know really well and can |
| string in the chord is not fretted (pressed down | | | | confidently play at any time. |
| with a finger). Open chords are easier to learn and | | | | Copyright 2005 Peter Bussey of |
| play than more advanced chords such as Barre | | | | This article can be reprinted freely online, as long |
| chords, or complex chords further up the guitar | | | | as the entire article and the resource box are |
| neck. Our list of basic major and minor chords is: | | | | included. |
| A Major (or A), A Minor (or Am), C, D, Dm, E, | | | | |