Primary Guitar Chords
You Should Know

Learning guitar chords may seem a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you don't use a systematic approach! There are so many shapes and positions available that it could literally take years to try and memorize them all!

It will be much easier if you gain an understanding of how chords are made.

I suggest that you focus on learning all the primary chords first because that will get you playing songs faster.

PRIMARY CHORDS:

There are only three basic types of guitar chords:

1. Major
2. Minor
3. Dominant 7th

All other guitar chords are a modification of one of these 3 basic types! So, focus on learning these three primary types because they are used in hundreds of popular songs!

Each letter of the Musical Alphabet can be made into one of these three types...

MAJOR (identified by their letter name only)


MINOR (identified by a lower case m)


DOMINANT 7th (identified by the number 7)


Notice that the 2nd finger is on the fourth string for each chord type given above.

Try to move from one chord to the next without lifting your 2nd finger. This gives you an "anchor" which will help you to change quicker and remember the shapes easier.

There are other ways to hold an open A Major chord, but students with larger hands will usually find that the fingering shown above is easier to play.

Minor chords - sound sad or dramatic
Major chords - sound positive or happy
Dominant 7th chords - sound like a question

It's important to be able to distinguish the different sound of one type of chord from another if you wish to develop your ear..

The DOMINANT 7TH seems to be asking a question: "Are we there yet?" or "Does this song end here?"... and it is the reason why you often see dominant 7th chords near the end of a song.

The DOMINANT 7TH tends to draw the ear back to the Tonic or keynote chord (usually the first chord of a song) for resolution, bringing the song to an end.

Another thing you need to realize is that songs are written in specific KEYS, of which there are only twelve.

The KEY is determined by the scale that is used to write the melody of a song.

The MELODY of a song is the tune which is sung or played instrumentally.

Learning all the Major, Minor and Dominant 7th primary guitar chords in relationship to each Key provides a good solid foundation from which you can continue building your chord vocabulary.

This is the approach I use with all my students.

FREE DOWNLOAD:

Basic Chord Chart

Here is a simple chord sequence in the Key of A…

Again, notice that the 1st finger is playing the third string for all three chords.

These chords A, E and E7 can be used to play an easy version of The Beatles song, Yellow Submarine, in the Key of A…

1. Strum A
2. Slide your 1st finger along the string, moving to the first fret, then strum E
3. Lift your 3rd finger and strum E7

Practice using "economy of motion" by leaving your first finger down as you move from chord to chord.

Here is a simple 4/4 strum pattern:

Count: 1 2 3 (4)
Strum: / / / (count, but don't strum, the 4th beat)

FREE DOWNLOAD:

Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine Video:

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

To learn 3 important primary guitar chords and develop the ability to distinguish the different sounds of a Major, Minor & Dominant 7th chord.

PRACTICE:

1. Strum the primary guitar chord types and listen to the difference in sound between them.

2. Print and play the easy version of Yellow Submarine.

3. Review previous lessons to improve your technique and a better understanding of the fretboard.

LEARN MORE:

Get My Free Tips On...

How to Use a Capo

Previous Lessons...

How The Strings Are Identified
Tuning The Guitar
Introducing The Guitar Fretboard
How to Read Guitar Tab
The Importance of Rhythm
Two Easy Minor Chords
Guitar Scales
Learn Every Major Scale

STUDENT FEEDBACK...

I want to say a big thank you for your guitar lessons... I started learning guitar some ten years ago while serving as a Christian missionary in Ivory-coast. However, I could not go far due to lack of learning resources (all I could play was C F G) but, with your lessons, believe me I can now play all the major chords. I can not thank you enough. My prayer is that the good Lord will increase you and cause his face to shine on you. Once more,thank you! ~ Joe

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Hey, First, I'd like to tell you that your instruction makes *way* more sense than several (read all) of the others I've seen. There was always some point I missed (or that just was not explained). Yours are clear so far, and seem to be very thorough. Last year, at the National Old Time Fiddlers contest in Weiser, ID, I purchased two raffle tickets to win one of several Godin acoustic guitars. This year... the same (thinking that if God wanted me to learn how to play, then He would make it very clear). ...and He did. ...and I did win. So now I have the seemingly daunting task of learning how to play. I am excited about it, and hope that this won't wear off as time progresses. I figured on a goal of being able to play in our church's praise band. Thought you might appreciate hearing this (ongoing) story. Thanks for your willingness to share your God-given talents. George

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I really enjoyed the lessons you have posted and learned how to move from chord to chord better by using them.