| When a student first starts to play guitar the one of | | | | The Emin chord is similar to the E chord. The |
| the very first thing I always teach are the eight critical | | | | difference is the 3rd string. For the Emin you play the |
| first position guitar chords. There are a countless | | | | 3rd string open. The remaining strings are identical to |
| number of tunes which use these chords in them. | | | | the E chord. |
| Once a student gets these chords down they will be | | | | Emin: |
| able to play and learn many songs which is a big | | | | [0 2 2 0 0 0] |
| motivator to keep learning and improving their guitar | | | | The last chord is the F chord. This is often the most |
| playing ability. | | | | difficult chord for beginning guitar players to get down. |
| The eight critical chords are: A, Amin (pronounced A | | | | You fret the 1st fret of the 1st and 2nd string then the |
| minor), C, D, E, Emin (pronounced E minor), F, and G. | | | | 2nd fret of the 3rd string and the 3rd fret of the 4th |
| Lets start with the G chord. Here is the frets which | | | | string. You do not play the fifth or the sixth string for |
| you need to fret to play the G chord: | | | | this chord. The key to play this chord clean is to use |
| G: | | | | your first finger to bar both the 1st and 2nd string at |
| [3 2 0 0 0 3] | | | | the first fret. This one may take you awhile o get |
| Fret the 3rd fret of the lowest string (6th string) and | | | | down just keep practicing and you will get it. |
| the 2nd fret of the 5th string and the 3rd fret of the | | | | F: |
| highest string (the 1st string). You will also play the 2nd, | | | | [x x 3 2 1 1] |
| 3rd and fourth string open. | | | | To practice these chords start your metronome at |
| Next lets move on to the D chord. Here are the frets | | | | 80BPM and play one of these (like the D chord) on the |
| you need to play to play a D chord: | | | | 1 beat. So you are going to strum on the one and hold |
| D: | | | | the chord for the 2,3 and 4. You then again strum on |
| [x x 0 2 3 2] | | | | the 1 with the same chord. Try doing this will all of the |
| The x's mean that you do not play those notes, so | | | | eight chords until you can play them in time and clean. |
| you do not play anything on the 5th and 6th string for | | | | Then bump up the metronome to 90BPM and do it |
| this chord. Fret the 2nd fret of the 1st string, 3rd fret of | | | | again. Once you get the chords down at 90BPM then |
| the 2nd string and the 2nd f ret of the 3rd string. You | | | | increase to 100 BPM. Do not try to play these chords |
| also need to play the fourth string open. | | | | at a very fast tempo when you first start. Play these |
| Next is the C chord. Here you fret the 1st fret of the | | | | chords slowly and try to make them sound as clean |
| 2nd string, 2nd fret of the 4th string and the 3rd fret of | | | | as you can. Keep bumping up the BPM until you can |
| the 5th string. You do not play the 6th string and the | | | | play these chords at a very fast temp (180bpm is |
| first and third string are played open. | | | | good to shoot for). |
| C: | | | | The next step is to try to play two different chords. |
| [x 3 2 0 1 0] | | | | Try the G and D chords. Aging you strum on the one |
| The next chord is the A chord. For the A chord you | | | | and hold the chords for the 2, 3, and 4. This time you |
| fret the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, the 2nf fret of the | | | | play the G on the first beat then switch to the D on |
| 3rd string and the 2nd fret of the 4th string. You do | | | | the next first beat. Again, start this at a slow BPM. |
| not play the sixth string and you play the 1st string and | | | | Move on to playing the C to the D again switching on |
| 5th string open. | | | | the first beat. A to Amin is next, then try the E to EMin. |
| A: | | | | Finally try the hardest of the group the C to the F |
| [x 0 2 2 2 0] | | | | chord. Once you get these chord changes down |
| The Amin chord is very similar o the A chord. The only | | | | increase your BPM. Once you get that sounding good |
| difference between the two is the 2nd string. For the | | | | try switching between three chords. Try the G D C. |
| Amin you fret the 1st fret of the 2nd string, the | | | | Then the Amin, D, G. Then the E, A then the D. Play |
| remaining strings are identical to the A chord. | | | | around with different combinations of chords, you will |
| Amin: | | | | naturally hear that some of these chords sound better |
| [x 0 2 2 1 0] | | | | together than others. |
| Next is the E chord. Here you fret the 1fret of the 3rd | | | | Once you get to this point you can start learning |
| string, 2nd fret of the 4th string and the 2nd fret of the | | | | songs. It's going to take some work on your part, |
| 5th string. You also play the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings | | | | practice these chords as much as you can. |
| open for this chord. | | | | Consistency is the key to getting this down. Try to |
| E: | | | | practice this for at least 30 mins 4- 5 times per week. |
| [0 2 2 1 0 0] | | | | You can do it! |