Guitar Chords for Beginners
The 8 chords to learn first, in order. Press play to hear each one, and open a chord for every way to play it.
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Em
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Am
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C
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G
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D
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E
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A
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Dm
You don't need to know hundreds of chords to start playing songs. These 8 open chords are the foundation almost every guitarist starts with. They use open strings, they sit near the nut and none of them needs a barre.
The order to learn them
Each chord builds on a shape or a finger position from the one before, so learn them in this order and move on once you can switch to the new chord without stopping.
- Em (E minor). Two fingers, all six strings ring. The easiest chord on the guitar.
- Am (A minor). Three fingers, and a sound you know from thousands of songs.
- C (C major). Your first real stretch. Going from Am to C, two fingers stay right where they are.
- G (G major). Big and full on all six strings. With C and D, it's the classic three chord trick.
- D (D major). Bright, and only the top four strings. G, C and D together play a huge number of songs.
- E (E major). The home chord of blues and rock. It's the Am shape, moved over one string.
- A (A major). Three fingers on the 2nd fret. With D and E, it's the other three chord trick.
- Dm (D minor). The sad cousin of D, and the last of the set. With these 8 you can play along with countless songs.
Your first chord progressions
Once you know a few chords, put them together. Press play to hear each progression with real recordings, one chord per bar, then play along.
Practice your first changes
Switching chords is the hard part at first, and G to C is a change every beginner meets early on. Start the timer, then go back and forth between G and C (or pick another chord to pair with G), strumming each one, and keep a count in your head. Your hands stay on the guitar the whole time. When it beeps, type in your count and try to beat it tomorrow.
G to C
60seconds
-last try
-your best
Tips for your first chords
- Use your fingertips. Press right behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, with your knuckles arched so your fingers don't touch the strings next to them.
- Keep your thumb behind the neck. Resting it about halfway down the back of the neck gives your fingers room to reach.
- Check every string. Play the chord one string at a time. If a note buzzes or sounds dead, adjust that one finger.
- Practice the changes, not just the chords. Switch slowly between two chords for a minute at a time. Speed comes on its own.
- Sore fingertips are normal. They toughen up with a little practice every day. Stop for the day if it hurts, and come back tomorrow.
Ready for more?
When the first 8 feel easy, add the seventh chords, then take on F and Bm. Both have an easy 4-string version on their pages to get you started.
Free chord lessons
Learn your first chords with a teacher. These video lessons are free with a free Infinite Guitar account:
Introduction To Guitar - Chords
Free with an account · Chris Feener
Chord Changes for Beginners - Transitions
Free with an account · Chris Feener
The Major Chord
Free with an account · Mike Edwin
The Minor Chord
Free with an account · Mike Edwin
Chord Changes for Beginners - Strumming
Free with an account · Chris Feener
Mastering Bar Chords - Introduction
Free with an account · Chris Feener
A free account unlocks all of these, no card needed. Sign up free
Beginner guitar chords FAQ
What are the easiest guitar chords for beginners?
Em is the easiest: two fingers and all six strings ring. Am, E, C, G, D, A and Dm come next. They're all open chords, which means they use open strings and sit near the nut, so there's no barre to press.
How many chords do you need to know to play songs?
Not many. G, C and D (with Em) are enough for a lot of popular songs, and the 8 chords on this page cover a big share of beginner songbooks. Learn them well before you add more.
In what order should I learn guitar chords?
Em, Am, C, G, D, E, A and Dm, in that order. Each one builds on a shape or a finger position from the one before. After those, the seventh chords (E7, A7, D7, G7, B7), then F and Bm, which use a barre.
Why do my chords buzz?
Usually one of three things: a finger is too far from the fret wire (move it right behind the wire), a finger is lying flat and touching the next string (get up on your fingertips), or you're not pressing quite hard enough. Play the chord one string at a time to find the buzzing note.
Should I learn barre chords first?
No. Start with open chords, they're easier on your hands and they're in almost every beginner song. When you're ready for F and Bm, start with their easy 4-string versions on the F and Bm pages, then work up to the full barre.
How much should I practice chords each day?
Little and often works best: 10 to 15 minutes a day beats an hour once a week. Spend most of that time switching between two chords, since the changes are what make songs hard at first.