Getting Started With Guitar Chords (12/18/2022)

Learning the guitar can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to playing chords. Let’s start with the basics: What Are Chords? 

A chord is three or more notes played together at the same time. Each note in a chord can be played either open or fretted. Open chords are formed when you strum an open string and then fret one or more other strings in order to form a complete chord shape. Fretted chords are formed by pressing down all of the strings at once while holding down a specific fret on your guitar neck. 

There are countless types of chords that can be used in music, but most beginner musicians should start by getting comfortable with major and minor chords. Major chords tend to sound bright and happy while minor chords have a darker, sadder tone. It's important to remember that each type of chord has its own unique finger pattern that must be mastered in order for it to sound its best.  

What follows are the five most important chords that every beginning guitar player should know. The reason these chords are so important is that every chord you’ll learn down the road is based on one of these five shapes. So these shapes will continue to work for you for years to come. The system that these shapes are a part of is called the CAGED System – heard of it before? It’s an excellent way to navigate the fretboard and have a deeper understanding of this instrument we all love!

The 5 chords we’ll look at are the C major, A major, G major, E major, and D major. Here’s a look at the chord charts: 

If you take the time to get these chords under your belt you’ll gain a huge advantage over other players. It’ll make learning everything else in the future much easier!