Beginner Guitar Chords.

This tutorial on beginner guitar chords will get you up and running.There's a free PDF guitar chord chart to download as well as instructions to help you get the most out of this free beginner guitar lesson.

Beginner guitar chords are modified fingerings from the full acoustic guitar chords. This makes it a little easier when you are just beginning guitar to get up and running.

First Things First…
Download Easy Guitar Chord Charts Here.

You'll need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to download these PDF files. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download it without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, just click on the link. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As." Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

Once you have saved the file, locate where you saved it, and double click to open.

In order to print, open the downloaded file, and select the print option from the menu.

How To Understand The Beginner Guitar Chord Diagrams

If you've downloaded the beginner guitar chords, you will see a C major chord illustrated in the top left hand corner. Got it? Great!

The Vertical lines represent your guitar strings and the horizontal lines represent your Frets. The Frets on your guitar are the silver metal bars that divide the guitar neck into small divisions. Depending on which fret you are pressing your finger down on is how short or how long you make the guitar string.

Back to the C major chord. You will see three X markings above the vertical lines. Then you'll see two O's with a black circle numbered ONE. Are you with me? Wonderful!

The X's mean when you strum your guitar that you DON'T hit those strings. OK. Now. The vertical markings -- guitar strings -- go from THICK to SKINNY. The Thick strings are on the left moving to the Skinny on the right. So the right would be the strings closest to the floor. Still with me? Awesome!

The Horizontal lines represent the Frets on your guitar. The solid black circle with number One means to press down at that INTERSECTION with your FIRST finger. That is your INDEX finger for guitar. Alright so far?

That Intersection is on STRING 2. In guitar playing that means the Second string away from the floor. So you use your Index finger to press the string down on the First Fret at the Second String.

The O's mean that those guitar strings are hit OPEN. Open in guitar playing means the string is sounded, but you are not pushing down on it. In other words, you hit it. And that's how to understand this C major chord from the beginner guitar chords section.

How To Proceed From Here…

You didn't think I was gonna let you off that easy, did you? This is also a beginner acoustic guitar lesson -- so we're going to take things a bit further now.

OK. You understand the chord diagrams. Now the real work begins ;-) Don't worry -- if the tips of your fingers burn that's normal. The skin will get tougher.

If you haven't already done so, try the C major chord. Your goal is to get all 3 strings to ring as clearly as possible. Many of you will not be able to do this right away. It may take a week or more before it really "clicks." Again, this is normal. Some of you may get it right away.

At this point I'd like to refer you to this basic guitar lesson that will give more detailed instructions on how to hold your guitar and pick. Bookmark that page and refer to it as you practice these beginner guitar chords.

Now that you've got a handle on how to learn these beginner guitar chords you want to learn them all! For some of you, it may become too easy. If so, go to this beginner guitar lesson that has the "Full" version basic guitar chord charts along with a tutorial and guitar lesson video.

Still here? OK. Great :-) Next step is to choose 2 or 3 more chords and to systematically memorize them on your guitar. Here's how…

Download this free PDF blank guitar chord chart. It's the same chart that you have for your beginner guitar chords. Only it's blank! This is so YOU can practice drawing your chosen chords on paper until you can do it from memory.

Trust me. This will increase your learning time dramatically! Once you draw a couple out, try them on your guitar. Get them to sound as good as you can.

Tip: Look at these as PICTURES on your guitar when you play them. This will help you to retain the shape in your memory. Also notice which finger is where. Even say out loud which finger is on which string at which fret.

Do the same thing tomorrow! And next week add another couple from the list of beginner guitar chords :-) Follow this procedure consistently and you will make good steady progress! Enjoy the sensation of the effort and vibration of your guitar when learning. Stay in the moment.

Further Reading and Lessons…

How To Hold A Guitar And Pick

How To Tune Your Guitar by Ear

Thanks for tuning up and tuning in,

Dave Yeager

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