Read a chord diagram
Imagine the guitar standing upright. The vertical lines are strings; the horizontal lines mark the frets. A dot shows where to press. An open circle means play that string without pressing it; × means leave it out.
Sit comfortably with your shoulders and hands relaxed. On the diagrams below, the thickest string is on the left. Put your fingertip just behind the fret and let each note ring.
Start with C, G, and F
Learn one shape at a time. Use the tip of your finger and press only hard enough to make each string sound clearly. New players may notice tender fingertips at first; take short breaks and build up practice time gradually.
Standard guitar tuning
Standard guitar tuning
Standard guitar tuning
For this four-string F, your index finger holds the two thinnest strings at fret 1. Take your time with it.
Practice changing chords
Play one chord for four steady counts, then change. Repeat slowly until the change feels easier.
Try C → G → C, then C → F → C. Pause to reset your fingers when you need to. A clean, comfortable change matters more than speed.
Add a steady strum
Start with one gentle down-strum on each count: 1, 2, 3, 4. Keep your hand moving at an even pace. When the beat feels steady, change chords without stopping the count.
Ready to play?
Try these songs
Pick the group that matches the chords you know, then choose a song and start playing.
Know C, F & G?
Ready for two more chords? D & A
Find D and A in the Beginner Chart, then try:
Add G7
With C, F, G and G7, try:
Keep these handy
Your chord chart library
Use these as reference charts when a song introduces a chord you do not know. The labels organize the charts by range; they are not complete beginner, intermediate or advanced courses.
