This Is the Moment: Make Music on Your Guitar!
You've learned how to hold and tune your guitar. Now it's time to create the magic of music with your own hands! Chords are the harmonic foundation of songs, and today you'll learn your first two. This is a huge step, so be patient with your fingers and get ready to be amazed at the sounds you're about to create.
How to Read a Guitar Chord Diagram
Guitar chord diagrams are a map of the fretboard. They're easy to read once you know the symbols:
- 6 Vertical Lines: These are your 6 strings. The leftmost line is the thickest low E string (6th string), and the rightmost is the thinnest high E string (1st string).
- Horizontal Lines: These represent the metal frets.
- Dots: These show you where to place your fingertips. The number inside the dot is the finger to use.
- X and O: An 'X' above a string means 'do not play this string.' An 'O' means 'play this string open' (without fretting it).
Finger Numbers
We number the fingers of your fretting hand like this: Index (1), Middle (2), Ring (3), and Pinky (4). Your thumb rests on the back of the neck.
Your First Chord: E minor (Em) - Easy and Powerful
E minor is one of the easiest and most common chords on guitar, and it sounds great. It uses only two fingers!
- Place your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the A string (the 5th string).
- Place your ring finger (3) on the 2nd fret of the D string (the 4th string).
That's it! All six strings can be strummed. Give it a big strum down with your thumb. That powerful, moody sound is E minor.
A True Classic: C Major (C) - The Sound of Pop Music
C major is a little trickier as it uses three fingers, but it's absolutely essential. It will feel like a stretch at first.
- Place your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Place your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd string).
Notice the 'X' on the low E string for this chord. Try to strum only the top five strings. This is a huge part of learning guitar! Use the side of your thumb on your fretting hand to gently touch the low E string to mute it.
Your First Transition: Moving Between Em and C
Now, let's practice switching. This is where the real work begins.
- Fret the Em chord and strum down 4 times slowly.
- Pause. Deliberately move your fingers to the C chord shape. This will be slow and awkward at first. That's okay!
- Strum the C chord 4 times (avoiding the low E string).
- Pause, and move back to Em.
This transition is a big one. Your fingers need to learn completely new positions. Repeat this exercise slowly every day. Don't worry about speed, worry about clarity. Every clean-sounding chord is a victory. Congratulations on learning your first two essential guitar chords!
