Basic Guitar Lessons: Learning to Play Guitar Chords

One of the most basic guitar lessons is learning how to play chords. Chords form the structure of most songs, and provide the harmonic complement to the melody and instrumental solos.



A chord is three or more different musical notes played simultaneously. In playing the guitar, it means that at least three strings are strummed or plucked together to sound three or more notes. All chords can be placed in one of three groups based on the musical structure of the chord: Major, Minor or Seventh. Every chord group posses a unique sound or feel.



Major chords sound complete and stable and include the root, the third and the fifth. Next, the minor chords can produce a somber or pensive mood. Lastly, seventh chords sounded jazzy and a little tentative. Most of the seventh chords are based on CAGED fingerings. The variation will depend on the quality of the original chord and the seventh.





Root note, a fifth and an occasional octave makes up the power chords. Power chords form the spine of rock and pop music. The lack of the third deprives them of being defined as a true chord. This is often referred to as dyads or simple intervals.



Here are some simple tips to help you in learning guitar chords:

• Select a chord family and master it. Mastering each chord family one by one will give you quick and sure success. It will let you play great sounding progression almost immediately

• Find a Guitar Chord Chart and use it as a reference tool. Paste it on your desk or bookmark it in certain websites that offer them. A chord chart indicates each chord as a simple to read "chord diagram" with each fingers at its exact location.

• Find the chords and lyrics for an easy song that is based on the chord family so you can practice your skills. A lot of great songs are based on only three or four chords. Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door is a classic that anyone, even a beginner, could master. It involves only four chords: C, G, Dm and F.

• Be sure that each string sounds right. Tune them up! Take care to ensure that each string sounds clearly and that only those strings that should be played sounded.

• Practice makes perfect. This may sound like an old song to you, but it really, really works! Continually practice every day and progress from one chord to another until you are doing it fast. Learn the chord families one at a time. Take your time. Soon, you’ll master it!

• Master all the fundamental chords first. Then, move on to advance chords such as Barre. It would be so much easier.

• Experiment with 7th chords. As a next step, you can easily expand on your basic chord knowledge by adding 7th and minor 7th chords based on the nine basic minor and major chords.

• Never ever forget to have fun with your new skills! Enjoy your new discovered talent by learning a small set of 5-10 songs you know really well and can confidently play at any given time.



Learning how to play guitar chords is easy when you put your mind to it. Just be patient and continue on practicing, soon you’ll be strumming your favourite songs!



Imagine how great it will feel to learn the guitar real fast! Click here to find out about guitar lessons online and soon you'll be strummin away.