# The 8 beginner guitar chords

> The eight chords most beginners learn first are the open chords C, A, G, E and D major and A minor, E minor and D minor. Each uses the first three frets and some open strings. Learn E minor first: it needs two fingers. G and C are usually the last to feel easy.

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## The 8 chords

Numbers in the dots are fingers: 1 is your index, 4 your little finger. An × means don’t play that string, an ○ means play it open. Cream marks the chord’s root, the note it is named after.

| Chord | Frets (low E to high e, x = don’t play) | Notes in the chord |
| --- | --- | --- |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 | C E G |
| A | x 0 2 2 2 0 | A C♯ E |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 | G B D |
| E | 0 2 2 1 0 0 | E G♯ B |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 | D F♯ A |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 | A C E |
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 0 | E G B |
| Dm | x x 0 2 3 1 | D F A |

## Learn them in this order

1. **Em, then E.** Em needs two fingers. Add one finger and it becomes E.
2. **Am, then A.** Am is the E shape moved over a string. A packs three fingers into one fret.
3. **D, then Dm.** Two triangles on the top strings. Only the note on the high e string changes.
4. **C, then G.** The two widest grips. Leave them until the others feel easy.

## How to practise it

1. Place one chord, strum once and pick each string slowly. Move any finger whose string buzzes or is muted.
2. Pick two chords, such as Em and Am. Switch between them for one minute, strumming once per chord, and count the changes.
3. Do it again tomorrow and beat the number. When a pair gets past 30 changes a minute, add the next chord.

Hear each chord in the chord library: https://pickfret.com/play/tools/chords?root=C&quality=major (Opens in your browser. No account needed.)

## Questions

### What is the easiest guitar chord to learn first?

E minor. Two fingers go on fret 2 of the A and D strings and all six strings ring open, so you can strum freely from the first day.

### Which chords do I need to play most songs?

G, C, D, Em and Am cover a huge number of pop, rock and folk songs, often only three or four at a time. Add A, E and Dm and you can play most beginner songbooks.

### How long does it take to learn these chords?

Holding a shape takes days. Changing between shapes in time takes weeks of short daily practice. One minute of changes a day on two chords moves faster than long sessions once a week.

### Why does my chord buzz?

Usually a finger is too far from its fret, or another finger leans on the next string. Press just behind the fret wire with your fingertip and keep your knuckles arched.