So you’ve tried and tried to learn your favorite songs. You looked them up on YouTube, or you’ve searched for tabs online (if you need help in this area, I’ll have you covered in another article later)… but to no avail!
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You may have been able to learn a simple G chord, or the C chord, etc., but you just can’t switch them fast enough!! Am I right?!
OK, hang on! I’ve got some ideas for you to try that have worked with my students over the years, so stay tuned!
Note: Please refer to lesson on how to tune your guitar first, if you have never learned this valuable and necessary skill!
Start with One finger chords!
One thing you can do is just start with one finger chords!
Let’s begin with a one finger C chord, first finger on the B string.
The next chord you should learn to play is the easy one finger G chord. Let’s try using your third finger on the third fret of the high E string.
Now let’s follow that with the one finger G major 7th chord. For this one, just use your second finger on the second fret of the high E string.
Next let’s play the one finger G7 chord. For this chord, just use your 1st finger on the first fret of the high E string.
Once you can play these chords with proper fingering, the next thing you want to do is to put them into a chord progression such as:
C //// | G //// | Gmaj7 //// | G7 //// | C /// :||
What you see above simply means is to play each chord 4 times each, and then switch to the next chord immediately. The goal is to change each chord quickly without losing your rhythm and without taking too much time to do so!
Note: the symbol :|| means to (rinse &) repeat, and the slashes mean one strum each!
Two Finger Chords
Next let’s practice switching chords with two fingers. First try E minor to A sus2. We’ll talk about the theory behind these chords in another post. For now, practice strumming each chord four times each and then changing to the next chord.
Em //// | Asus2 //// :||
Also try practicing D 6/9 with E minor. Once you get this one down, it should soon sound like the song –
“A Horse with No Name.”
Em //// | D6/9 /// :||
Strumming Pattern:
D Du Du Du Du| Du Xu Xu Du :||* (see below for strumming pattern key)
These next two chords almost have a minor Blues and/or a Latin feel to them, i.e. think Carlos Santana.
E7 //// | Am7 //// :||
Finally, let’s also practice E7 with an A7 chord. This one might remind you of the song “It’s Your Thing” by the Isley brothers if you play fast enough!!
E7 //// | A7 /// :||
See how easy that was! I hope this gives you new confidence that you too can play the guitar.
Stay tuned, because we will also address strumming patterns and much more in future posts!
Be well and treat each other like royalty!
- Strumming Pattern Key
- D – downstrum
- U upstrum
- X scratch or muted strum
- :|| – repeat
You really makes it sound so easy that I want to attempt it. Part of my intentions from last year has been to learn to play atleast one musical Instrument and my eyes were laid on the piano . From your article I can attempt the guitar. I think its a matter of learning first things first and bit by bit to avoid being overwhelmed. If I focus on the one finger chord for a period of time then grow from there, in no time I can be a guitar player
Yes, it is possible. Start with one finger at a time. You can do it! Please let me know if you need further assistance! All my best,
Mel