Basic Guitar Chords for a
rock solid foundation.

Ah yes! Basic guitar chords. Here is where your guitar education begins. I will show you the basic chords- E,F,G,A,B,C,D, nothing fancy, nothing hard, all in the first or power chord position. Learn your basic guitar chords- these are the backbone of your playing. With these you can play virtually any song out there.

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It took me a year and a half of lessons to learn the basics and believe me when I say, I didn't want to bother with this nonsense, I wanted to play like Mr. Van Halen NOW!

I became frustrated many times during the early years, but somehow I wanted to be a rock star and kept plugging away.

For ease of explanation purposes, the index finger is the first finger, the middle is the second, the ring the third and the pinky is the fourth finger. All of these chords will be in major key. Others such as minors, sevenths and the like will be for another page. Let's keep this simple for now. Also below is a diagram of various parts of the electric guitar. This should help with the chord diagrams.

E Chord

For the first basic guitar chord we have is an E chord. Put your second finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, the third finger on the 2nd fret of the D string and the first finger on the first fret of the G string. Strum all of the strings to sound out an E.

F Chord

For the F chord, you're pretty much moving the E chord up a half step or one fret. Put your third finger on the third fret of the A string, the fourth finger on the third fret of the D string, the second finger on the second fret of the G string and the first finger across the first frets of the B and high E strings.

G Chord

For the G chord, place your 2nd finger on the third fret of the low E string, the first finger on the second fret of the A string, the third finger on the third fret of the B string and the fourth finger on the third fret of the high E string. When you strum this chord, let the open D and G string ring.

A Chord

The A chord is pretty easy to master. There are a few ways to do it but just lay your first or second finger across the D, G, and B strings. Strum only the A string down to the B string for the A chord. Skip the high E string for now.

B Chord

The B chord is not technically a power chord, but to create a smooth flow I included it anyway. This is a third position chord (more on these positions later on..) where you lay your first finger across the second fret starting on the A string and put your fourth finger across the fourth fret D,G, and B strings. Just strum the A string down, skip the low E. This is a tough chord to ring clean. Remember, practice, practice and more practice!

C Chord

On the C chord, place your third finger on the third fret of the A string, the second finger on the second fret of the D string, and the first finger on the first fret of the B string. Strum from the A string down and ring the G and high E strings.

D Chord

The D chord is the last in this short list of basic guitar chords. Place your first finger on the second fret of the G string, your third finger on the third fret of the B string and the second finger on the second fret of the high E string. Strum from the D string down.

This will take a lot of practice! You'll want to quit this and go back to your Guitar Hero axe!

Practice along with your favorite bands songs. It'll come to you soon enough. I have been playing 37 years or so and I still learn something new every time I play.

Play those basic guitar chords! Over and over and over again! EEE,AAA,DDD, ad nauseum! If you do, you will become the next...

Check out my new blog for more information on electric guitars!

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