Guitar Chords for Beginner Guitarists
Most players learn guitar chords first when they learn guitar.
The most important guitar chords to learn are the C, A, G, E and D chords.
The next most important ones are the challenging B and F chords.
The worst thing you can do if you are a new player is learn these shapes in open position.
The best thing you can do when learning new chords is:
- get or buy a capo
- place it on the 5th fret
- learn all the chords in 5th position then (when these are comfortable to play)
- learn all the chords in 4th position then (when these are comfortable to play)
- learn all the chords in 3rd position then (when these are comfortable to play)
- learn all the chords in 2nd position then (when these are comfortable to play)
- learn all the chords in 1st position then (when these are comfortable to play)
- learn all the chords in open position
By learning the chords this way you will avoid bad habits that come from trying to do too many things at once too soon.
Things like:
- trying to support a heavy arm held furthest from the body
- trying to train a wrist at the end of a tense tired arm
- trying to train a thumb to support new untrained fingers while trying to train a wrist and a heavy arm to relax while in the air
- trying to train fingers to stand on fingertips while simultaneously trying to train a thumb to support new untrained fingers while trying to train a wrist and a heavy arm to relax while in the air
- trying to train fingers to move independently while trying to train fingers to stand on fingertips while simultaneously trying to train a thumb to support new untrained fingers while trying to train a wrist and a heavy arm to relax while in the air
- trying to train fingers to move interdependently while trying to train fingers to move independently while trying to train fingers to stand on fingertips while simultaneously trying to train a thumb to support new untrained fingers while trying to train a wrist and a heavy arm to relax while in the air
That's why the worst thing you can do if you are a new player is learn these shapes in open position.
All kinds of problems get created when you force your muscles to do new things instead of allowing your muscles to do new thins.
The problems that get created result in problems you don't even know you have.
An unrecognised problem is the hardest one to fix.
The first thing to realise is that chords are not the easiest thing for the human body to learn and master.
A successfully played chord is the result of many complex muscular and physiological processes that recognise and respects that forces of tension and relaxation are required.
Forces that have nothing to do with intelligence, talent, fame or self-esteem.
And everything to do with patience and self-acceptance.
The gradual fret by fret chord learning process will help your fingers become the graceful, potent "air force" you'd like them to be.
This process also gives your muscles every possible chance to learn the best habits.
For a lifetime of successful guitar.
In this chords section you will discover a range of lessons and articles that will help you step by step to master guitar chords.
And boost your playing pleasure.
