I want to learn guitar chords. Where should I start?

I have a difficult time remembering various guitar chords.

Some chords are hard to reach.

I’ve just started bar chords. They are hard! I can’t hold them long and play as clean as open chords.

Connecting from one chord to another is difficult. I can’t change chords smoothly and it often sounds awkward and awful.

What exactly are Csus9 and F#m7 chords?  Where can I play them?

What is a power chord?

I'm having trouble with my strumming. Although I can play most basic chords.....

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I want to learn guitar chords. Where should I start?

Start with basic open chords such as C, G, A, D, Em, Am, Dm, C7, G7, A7, D7, etc. Then, move to bar chords which are based on the basic open chords. Many songs can be played if you know the basic open and bar chords. Once you have these basics under your belt, further expand your chord vocabulary by learning such chords as maj7, min6, diminished 7th, augmented 7th, min9, min11, dominant 9th chords, etc. Chords are not only very important aspects of guitar playing, but you will also find it fun playing and listening to their beautiful sounds!

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I have a difficult time remembering various guitar chords.

The first goal of any guitarist is to build up a chord vocabulary, which can take time for some people. Learning guitar chord is largely a question of teaching the left hand to memorize different shapes. One way to efficiently remember chords is to learn a simple chord first and then move on to other chords with similar shape or fingerings. 

For instance, if you already know how to play the Em chord, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to learn the E chord which can be played by simply adding one note on the 1st fret of the 3rd string to Em. Likewise, you can easily add other similar chords such as E7, Em7, Em6, etc. to your chord vocabulary. In addition, whenever you learn a new chord, study the chord diagram carefully and try to remember its overall shape. Visualize in your mind how it looks like on the fingerboard without actually looking at or holding your guitar. The clearer and more vivid you can visualize the chord shape, the easier and quicker you’ll be able to remember and play a chord.

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Some chords are hard to reach.

If you have a trouble physically playing such wide-spread chords as C, G, or G7, try them with a capo. Place a capo at the 2nd, 3rd or 5th fret where the narrower frets will allow you to play these chords easier. In addition, light-gauged strings should help you press notes with less force. Remember also that a chord can be played in several different ways. Just because you can’t play a typical C chord shown in the first page of a chord book, it is not the end of the world. There are many other easier ways to play the same C chord. Find an alternative form you can play comfortably. You can always come back to those hard chords after you develop certain strength and flexibility in your hand. The important thing is not to let these chords discourage you from continue playing and learning!

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I’ve just started bar chords. They are hard! I can’t hold them long and play as clean as open chords.

In order to play bar chords comfortably, you need to develop certain strength and muscles in your left hand (or right-hand if you are lefty). Here are some suggestions:

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Connecting from one chord to another is difficult. I can’t change chords smoothly and it often sounds awkward and awful.

This is indeed one of the most common and difficult aspects for many beginners. Start with a simple and easy chord progression first and then gradually move on to a little more challenging movement. Remember your fingers and hands first need to get to used to the movement of connecting chords and it won’t just happen overnight!  They need to repeat doing it over and over every day until it becomes a second nature to them. Here are a few tips when practicing the chord connection:

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What exactly are Csus9 and F#m7 chords?  Where can I play them?

The correct name for Csus9 is Csus2. Csus2 is a 3-note chord consisting of C, D, and G notes. It is called Csus2 because it SUSPENDS the 3rd note of the C triad chord, E and replaces it with the 2nd tone, D. Likewise, Csus4 suspends the 3rd note and replaces it with the 4th tone, F.

F#m7 is a simple minor 7th chord consisting of 4 notes, F#, A, C#, and E.

There are many places and ways you can play these two chords on guitar. For example, you can play Csus2 at the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th frets, etc. Likewise, F#m7 can be played at the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th frets, etc.

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What is a power chord?

Power chords are the foundation of many blues, rock, and heavy-metal songs and they are perfect for hard-driving rhythm guitar parts. They are often written with "5" such as C5, G5, F#5, etc. A power chord consists of two notes: root and the 5th. For example, C5 consists of root, C and the 5th note, G. A5 contains A and E. Etc.

A chord is defined as a collection of three or more notes sounding simultaneously, so a power chord is not technically a true "chord." Additionally, since it contains no 3rd, a power chord is called neither minor nor major.

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I'm having trouble with my strumming. Although I can play most basic chords and some barre chords all my strums sound the same. can you help??

There are many ways you can make your strumming more interesting

1. By creating or learning a variety of strumming patterns that consists of various rhythms.

2. By appropriately putting articulations (accent, staccato, tenuto, etc.) and adding more contrast and feeling.

3. By incorporating several techniques such as muting, hammering-on, pulling-off, etc. into your playing

4. By learning and playing alternative chord forms instead of just playing the same old basic open chords.

These are some of many things you can do to bring your strumming to the next level. Also pick a song or two that include strumming that you really like and try to emulate it. It not only helps you to learn various strumming patterns, but it also allows you to learn and get the "feeling."

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