You’ve got your guitar in hand, pick at the ready, and the excitement to play is bubbling up. But then comes the question: “What do I actually play? Where do I even begin?” For most guitarists, the journey starts with chords. But what exactly are guitar chords and why are they so important?
Chords are the building blocks of harmony in music. They add depth, rhythm, and richness that makes music feel complete. Almost every instrument, except for those focused on rhythm like drums and bass, relies on chords to create musical texture. So, if you’re eager to start making music on your guitar, learning chords is your first essential step.
Let’s dive into the world of guitar chords for beginners. We’ll explore different types of chords, share some helpful tips and tricks to make playing them easier, and even point you towards some popular songs you can start learning right away.
At institutions like School of Rock, the emphasis is on practical application. Students learn in a lesson setting and quickly transition to performing live. This approach highlights the importance of chords for both lead and rhythm guitarists. While lead guitarists often focus on melodies, riffs, and solos, rhythm guitarists are the backbone, laying down the harmonic foundation with chords using techniques like strumming and fingerpicking. Regardless of your preferred style, mastering guitar chords is crucial.
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BASIC GUITAR CHORDS
For beginners, guitar chords can seem daunting. There’s a variety of chord types and different ways to play them. However, understanding the fundamental categories can make learning much easier. Let’s break down three standard types of guitar chords that are essential for any aspiring guitarist.
Power Chords
Power chords are often among the first chords taught at places like School of Rock, and for good reason. They are incredibly versatile, appearing across genres from rock and metal to pop and even classical music. Their appeal for beginners lies in their simplicity. Power chords typically involve only two or three strings and frets, making them physically less demanding on your fingers and easier to grasp initially.
While power chords can be played on any guitar type, they are particularly prominent in electric guitar music. When played on an electric guitar, power chords can be easily amplified and distorted, adding significant weight and attitude to the music. This distorted sound is a signature element in many rock and heavier genres, allowing power chords to effectively set the mood and energy of a song.
Open Chords
Open chords are another excellent starting point for beginner guitarists. What sets them apart is that they incorporate open strings – strings that are played without being fretted. Like power chords, open chords are generally easier to play than more complex chords because they use fewer frets and often require fewer fingers. However, unlike power chords which use only a few strings, open chords typically utilize all six strings of the guitar, creating a fuller, richer sound.
A common set of open chords that beginners learn is often referred to as CAGED chords. We will explore what these chords are and how to play them in detail shortly. The beauty of open chords is that they form the foundation for countless songs across various genres, making them an indispensable part of your guitar-playing toolkit.
Barre Chords
Barre chords represent a step up in complexity from power and open chords. They might seem trickier initially, but mastering them unlocks a significant advantage as you progress. Barre chords are based on movable shapes. Once you learn a barre chord shape, you can slide it up and down the guitar neck to create a whole family of chords. This movable quality makes barre chords incredibly efficient for playing in different keys and transitioning smoothly between chords. You don’t need to relearn finger positions for every new chord; just shift the entire shape.
However, barre chords are known to be challenging for beginners because they require using one finger, typically the index finger, to press down multiple strings across the same fret – creating a “barre.” This requires more finger strength and precision than open or power chords. While we won’t delve deeply into barre chords in this beginner-focused guide, understanding their existence and potential is important for your long-term guitar journey. We’ll focus on these more advanced chords in future discussions.
Open Guitar Chords: CAGED System
Before we jump into specific open chords, it’s crucial to ensure your guitar is properly tuned. A well-tuned guitar is essential for your chords to sound right and for your practice to be effective. If you’re struggling with tuning, here’s a helpful guide: Beginner’s Guide to Tuning a Guitar.
Now, let’s explore open chords using the CAGED system. CAGED is a mnemonic device that represents five common open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D major. These chords are fundamental in many popular songs and are a cornerstone of the School of Rock’s performance-based teaching method because they appear frequently in the music students learn and perform. Each letter in CAGED corresponds to a specific open chord. Let’s look at these chords in chord diagrams to understand how to play them.
Understanding Chord Diagrams: Finger Placement
Chord diagrams are visual representations that show you exactly how to play a chord. They illustrate which strings to play, which frets to press down, and which fingers to use. Think of a chord diagram as a vertical slice of your guitar fretboard viewed from headstock to body.
- Horizontal Lines: Represent the guitar strings. The top line is the thickest string (low E), and the bottom line is the thinnest string (high E). Imagine holding your guitar upright, facing you – that’s the orientation of the diagram.
- Vertical Lines: Represent the frets. The numbers along the top or side indicate the fret number. If no numbers are shown, it’s assumed to be the nut (start of the fretboard).
- “x” Marks: Above a string indicate a muted string. This string should not be played when strumming the chord.
- “o” Circles: Above a string indicate an open string. This string is played without pressing down any fret.
- Numbers within the Diagram: Represent the fingers you should use to fret the string: 1 = index finger, 2 = middle finger, 3 = ring finger, and 4 = pinky finger.
- Dots: Indicate where to place your fingers on the fretboard.
For example, in the A major chord diagram, you’ll see dots on the second fret of the D, G, and B strings. The numbers will indicate which fingers to use on each of these strings. By understanding these elements, you can easily decipher any chord diagram and learn new chords effectively.
Besides the core CAGED chords, there are other beginner-friendly open chords that are commonly used in popular music. Expanding your vocabulary beyond CAGED early on will make learning songs even more enjoyable.
It’s important to differentiate chord diagrams from tablature (TAB). While both are visual aids for guitarists, they serve different purposes and are read differently. Tablature is a system that represents the guitar strings as lines and uses numbers to indicate which fret to play on each string to play melodies or riffs.
In tablature, the lines are read vertically, with the bottom line representing the low E string and the top line the high E string. Numbers on the lines indicate the fret to be played on that string. “0” represents an open string. So, while chord diagrams show you the finger positions for chords, tablature shows you how to play individual notes and melodies. Don’t confuse reading a chord diagram with reading TAB – they are distinct systems!
Chord diagrams are incredibly useful because they not only show you the finger placements for each chord but often suggest the most efficient fingerings for smooth transitions between chords. With practice, these chord shapes and finger positions will become muscle memory, and you’ll be able to play chords without constantly referring to diagrams. As you learn these and other new chords, keep these essential tips in mind:
- Fret Close to the Fret Wire: Position your fingers just behind the metal fret wire. This requires less pressure to produce a clear sound and reduces buzzing. Don’t fret directly on top of the fret wire or too far behind it in the middle of the fret space. Experiment to find the sweet spot.
- Use Your Fingertips: Press down on the strings with your fingertips, not the pads of your fingers. This allows you to apply focused pressure and avoid muting adjacent strings. Keep your fingers arched, like a “C” shape, to ensure you’re only pressing down the intended strings and not accidentally touching others.
- Play Each String Individually: After forming a chord, strum each string separately to check for clarity. If a string sounds muffled or buzzy, adjust your finger pressure or position until each note rings out clearly. This helps you identify and correct any issues in your technique.
- Practice Fretting and Unfretting: Practice transitioning into and out of chords smoothly. Fret the chord, strum it, then lift your fingers off, and repeat. You can also practice hovering your fingers just above the fretboard in the chord shape, getting your hand used to the required position. This exercise improves muscle memory and speeds up chord changes.
Popular Song Chords: Songs to Learn
Now that you’ve been introduced to basic guitar chords, understand chord diagrams, and have some practice tips, let’s look at songs you can actually play using these chords! Starting with songs is a fantastic way to apply what you’ve learned and make your practice sessions more engaging and rewarding. Here are some popular songs that are great for beginners and primarily use the CAGED chords and some common minor chords:
- Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd: A classic rock anthem famous for its simple yet catchy guitar riff. It’s based on just three chords: C, G, and D, making it an excellent first song for beginners.
- Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival: Another three-chord wonder in the key of D, using G, D, and A. Its upbeat tempo and straightforward chord progression make it fun and easy to learn.
- Love Me Do by The Beatles: This early Beatles hit is in the key of G and uses G, C, and D chords. Learning Beatles songs is always a great way to build your chord vocabulary.
- Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles: A slightly more melancholic Beatles tune in the key of Em, primarily using C and variations of Em chords. This song introduces you to minor chords and fingerpicking patterns.
- Time Of Your Life by Green Day: A popular acoustic ballad in the key of G, using G, C, Cadd9, and D5 power chords. While it includes a power chord (D5), you can easily substitute a regular D major chord and it will still sound great, simplifying it for absolute beginners.
- Island in the Sun by Weezer: This mellow rock song uses a four-chord progression throughout most of the song: Em, Am, D, G. The bridge section incorporates power chords, offering a chance to experiment with both open and power chords in one song.
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day: Another Green Day hit, this one in the key of Fm (though often played in Em for easier chords), uses Em, G, D, and A. Like “Island in the Sun,” it also features power chords towards the end, providing practice in transitioning between open and power chords.
More Popular Songs for Beginner Guitarists:
- Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s
- Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
- Redemption Song by Bob Marley
- Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (Main riff uses power chords)
- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Intro uses fingerpicked chords, later sections use barre chords)
- Hotel California by Eagles (Intro and verses use a variety of chords, including minor chords)
Using Power Chords: Simpler Yet Powerful
Power chords, as mentioned earlier, are often easier to play than open chords, and surprisingly, they share some similarities with barre chords. Let’s explore this further.
Compared to open chords, power chords are “thinner” in sound, meaning they have fewer notes. This translates to using fewer strings and frets, making them physically less demanding. However, the underlying chord shapes can be conceptually similar.
Consider an A major chord versus an A5 power chord. An A major chord contains the notes A, C#, and E. An A5 power chord consists of just A and E. The A major chord includes the root (A), the third (C#), and the fifth (E) of the A major scale. The A5 power chord focuses on the root (A), the fifth (E), and the octave (another A, same note as the root but higher). Essentially, they share the root and fifth notes. The key difference is that the power chord omits the third.
This omission of the third is crucial. The third of a chord determines whether it’s major or minor. Since power chords lack the third, they are neither major nor minor. This neutrality is what makes them so versatile. They can be used in place of either a major or minor chord in many musical contexts. Experiment and listen to the difference between an open A major chord and an A5 power chord. You’ll hear the difference in fullness and harmonic complexity.
Power chords also have a connection to barre chords. While simpler than full barre chords, power chords can be seen as a stepping stone towards them. Some power chord shapes are played across three strings and can be executed using a “barre” technique, where one finger presses down two strings at the same fret simultaneously. This “mini-barre” is excellent practice for developing the finger strength and technique needed for full barre chords.
What kind of music is perfect for power chords? Classic rock, hard rock, punk rock, and even much of today’s pop music heavily feature power chords. In programs like School of Rock’s Rock 101, beginner guitarists are introduced to power chords specifically for playing these genres. Here are some songs you can practice with power chords:
- Wild Thing by The Troggs: A garage rock classic that heavily relies on A5, D5, and E5 power chords, with occasional G5 power chords. A quintessential power chord song.
- Let It Be by The Beatles: Surprisingly, you can play “Let It Be” using either open chords or power chords. The song originally uses open chords C, G, Am, and F. However, because power chords are harmonically ambiguous (neither major nor minor), you can effectively substitute C5, G5, and F5 power chords for the C, G, and F open chords.
- Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin: The title says it all! This iconic rock anthem is built on A5, D5, and E5 power chords. A must-learn for any aspiring rock guitarist.
- I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: Another rock staple driven by power chords E5, A5, and B5. Simple, powerful, and instantly recognizable.
- When I Come Around by Green Day: This entire Green Day hit is based on power chords: F#5, C#5, D#5, and B5. A great song for practicing a sequence of power chords and chord changes.
- Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Young: This Neil Young classic starts with prominent power chords (E5, D5, C5) and then transitions into a mix of open and power chords (Em, D, C, and their power chord counterparts). A good example of how power chords and open chords can be combined in a song.
Now that you’ve explored guitar chords for beginners and have a selection of songs to practice, are you ready to put your newfound knowledge to use? Perhaps you’d benefit from some personalized guidance? Fortunately, School of Rock is here to help!
School of Rock offers private music lessons and various music programs designed to set you on the right path. Programs like Rock 101 and the Performance Program are specifically designed for beginners and intermediate players. They bridge the gap between private lessons and real-world performance, teaching you to play full songs as part of a band. Through these programs and lessons, students not only develop musical skills but also gain valuable life lessons in teamwork, experience, and personal growth. Many of the songs mentioned in this guide are part of the curriculum in these programs. They are designed to teach you open guitar chords, power chords, and fundamental music theory in a fun, engaging, and practical way.
If you’re interested in learning more and taking your guitar playing to the next level, contact your nearest School of Rock location to discover the perfect program for you.
About the Author:
Miranda Morales is a guitar and keyboard instructor at School of Rock Easton in Pennsylvania.
