Beginner Guitar Chords: D Major, E Major, A Major

Easy Guitar Lesson Number 2: Getting to know the chord chart.

A chord is when you play two or more strings together to make a specific sound. Chords are named by the letters of the scale, with variations for major, minor and other modification (7th, diminished, etc).

To begin with, you will learn the three most basic and easiest guitar chords. For the three chords you will be learning today, you will be focusing on the four first frets of the guitar. Frets, by the way, are the raised metal vertical lines on the neck of the guitar. As there are six strings on the guitar, there will be 6 horizontal lines as well on the diagram representing the strings. Your fingers will be numbered 1-3 starting from the index finger.

When playing a note on a string, you want to position your finger in the large space between the frets. Generally for the best sound, you will want to position your finger as close to the fret as possible. Sometimes when playing several notes in a chord, your finger will have to be more in the middle of the space. That’s okay. See the picture diagrams below for correct positioning.

The three basic chords.

: How to Play the D Major Guitar Chord

The first guitar chord you will need to study is the D chord. Finger #1 and #2 will be positioned on the second fret. Finger #1 will be on the third string while finger #2 will be on the first string. Finger #3 will be positioned on the third fret on the second string. As you play this chord, only strum the bottom 4 strings.

: How to play the E Major Guitar Chord

The second chord to study is the E chord which is one of the ideal chords for beginners to learn. Finger #1 is positioned on the first fret on the third string. Finger #2 and #3 will be on the second fret. Finger #2 will be positioned on the fifth string while finger#3 will be on the fourth string. Follow the diagram above. Strum all the strings when playing this chord.

: How to Play the A Major Guitar Chord

The A chord is also one of the easiest chords to master. This chord can be played in more than one way but this is the basic method. All Fingers #1, #2, #3 are all positioned on the second fret. Finger #1 goes to the fourth string, finger #2 goes to the third string and Finger #3 is positioned on the second string. Refer to the diagram. This chord uses all the strings except the top one.

Strumming and changing chords.

These first three chords will now enable you to play some tunes with one additional step which is the strumming. Strumming your guitar is a fundamental skill to be learned. It is done by moving your dominant hand up and down on the strings. Always keep your hands moving. Don’t rush. Start slowly till you have strumming perfected. Start off slow then build up your speed gradually. The chords should ring out with no buzzing and only play the strings of that chord shown on the chord chart.

Master each of these basic chords first. Learn how to position your fingers correctly so you get a nice tone when you strum. Take your time. Then, practice changing chords. To do this, start strumming at a nice easy tempo. Now try to change to a different chord without losing the rhythm. If you can’t change your fingers to the new chord before the start of the next beat, slow down your tempo. It is essential to do this nice and slow at first so that you can keep the beat. The more you practice, the faster you will be able to change chords. But don’t rush the process. It takes time. Master each step before moving on.

Playing guitar is fun, but understand that your finger tips will hurt when you first start playing guitar. Do not let this deter you. Within a week or so you will develop callouses and it will not hurt as much. Eventually it will not hurt at all. Make sure you practice a little bit every day.

Playing guitar chords is foundational for guitar playing. Using this self-help tutorial you will be playing guitar in no time.