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Beginner Guitar Chords You Can Learn in One Day
- When you're just starting out on the guitar, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the frets, strings, and finger placements. But here’s some good news: you don’t need to master dozens of chords to start making music. In fact, with just five beginner-friendly chords, you can start strumming real songs in a single day.
- These chords are the foundation of thousands of popular songs and genres—from pop and rock to indie and folk. If you can memorize these and practice switching between them smoothly, you’re well on your way to building real momentum.
1. C Major Chord
One of the most widely used chords in Western music, C major is bright and uplifting.
How to play it:
- Ring finger: 3rd fret, 5th string (A)
- Middle finger: 2nd fret, 4th string (D)
- Index finger: 1st fret, 2nd string (B)
- Let the 3rd (G), 1st (high E), and 6th (low E) strings ring open (optional to mute 6th string).
For help with switching chords smoothly, check out these tips on practicing more effectively.
2. G Major Chord
Bright, bold, and incredibly versatile, the G major chord is used in everything from folk ballads to rock anthems.
How to play it:
- Middle finger: 3rd fret, 6th string (E)
- Index finger: 2nd fret, 5th string (A)
- Ring finger: 3rd fret, 1st string (high E)
Want to explore where this chord shows up? See this breakdown of guitar styles from classical to metal.
3. D Major Chord
This one gives a bright, open sound that's perfect for folk and pop songs.
How to play it:
- Index finger: 2nd fret, 3rd string (G)
- Middle finger: 2nd fret, 1st string (high E)
- Ring finger: 3rd fret, 2nd string (B)
- Only strum the bottom four strings (D through high E).
4. E Minor Chord
This two-finger chord is often the very first chord beginners learn—easy to play and instantly musical.
How to play it:
- Middle finger: 2nd fret, 5th string (A)
- Ring finger: 2nd fret, 4th string (D)
- Strum all six strings
Curious why E minor sounds emotional while C major feels happy? It’s all about theory. Learn more in the benefits of learning music theory.
5. A Minor Chord
A popular chord in slower rock, acoustic ballads, and blues. It adds emotional weight to chord progressions.
How to play it:
- Index finger: 1st fret, 2nd string (B)
- Middle finger: 2nd fret, 4th string (D)
- Ring finger: 2nd fret, 3rd string (G)
- Strum from the 5th string down (avoid the low E if possible)
Strumming Your First Song
- With just these five chords—C, G, D, E minor, and A minor—you can already play dozens of recognizable songs. Many beginner hits use simple progressions like C–G–Am–F or Em–G–D–C, so your first practice session can already feel like you're jamming.
- If you struggle to keep time while switching chords, use a metronome and follow this guide on using a metronome effectively. It helps you stay in rhythm and develop consistency over time.
Final Tip: Progress Over Perfection
Don’t worry about sounding perfect on day one. Focus on finger placement, clear tone, and slow chord switching. With just 10–15 minutes a day, your speed and accuracy will improve naturally.
Once you’ve got the basics, you can move on to fun skills like:
Next Steps
Now that you’ve learned your first five chords, try learning a song that uses them. Some great beginner options include:
- “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
- “Let It Be” – The Beatles
- “Riptide” – Vance Joy
- “Horse with No Name” – America (uses Em and D6add9/F# — easy alternatives)
Looking to go deeper? Pair your practice with a beginner-friendly app like Justin Guitar, Fender Play, or Yousician.
