Beginner Guitar Lesson #4 - Chord G and C

Ok, you've reached to the fourth lesson. In this lesson we're gonna add two more chords to your memory store.

I will now give you tab for the G Major chord.

E||------3-------|
B||------0-------|
G||------0-------|
D||------0-------|
A||------2-------|
E||------3-------|

The G Major chord contains the notes G, B and D. It is played using fingers 1, 2, and 3. Finger 1 plays a B note, finger 2 plays a G note, and finger 3 also plays G note. According to the music theory G Major chord must contain the notes B, G and D. On the G major chord tab above, the D note is sounded by the open D string (4th string). It is important to know that the open string notes are included when playing chords, and not just the notes played by your fingers.

Exercise for the G Major chord.

E||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|
B||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
A||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
E||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|

I will now give you tab for the C Major chord.

E||------0-------|
B||------1-------|
G||------0-------|
D||------2-------|
A||------3-------|
E||------x-------|

The C Major chord is constructed of the notes C, E and G. It is played using fingers 1, 2 and 3.

Exercise for the C Major chord.

E||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--1---1---1---1--|--1---1---1---1--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|

Guess what? It is time for another exercise. :)

Strum ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Count 1 2 3 4

     D                 A     
E||--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--3---3---3---3--|--2---2---2---2--|
G||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--x---x---x---x--|--0---0---0---0--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|

     C                 G
  |--0---0---0---0--|--3---3---3---3--|
  |--1---1---1---1--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--3---3---3---3--|--2---2---2---2--|
  |--x---x---x---x--|--3---3---3---3--|

D string is also known as the fourth string. The notes in the first position that are on the fourth string are D (open), E (2nd fret) and F (3rd fret). It is played using fingers 2 and 3.

Now, pluck the fourth string notes with a downward picking motion.

E||--------------|--------------|
B||--------------|--------------|
G||--------------|--------------|
D||--0--0--0--0--|--2--2--2--2--|
A||--------------|--------------|
E||--------------|--------------|
Count 1  2  3  4    1  2  3  4
Fingering none           2

  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--3--3--3--3--|--2--2--2--2--|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
     1  2  3  4     1  2  3  4
         2              3

I recommend you to get jam tracks for all these exercises on Jamorama. It will definitely improve your skill.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #1 - Guitar Chords

Yo, Mike here. We talked last time about basic guitar stuff, so now we can go further in learning how to play chords. First of all, you have to know what the chord is. Chord is any set of harmonically related notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. The most common, and basic chords are the major and minor triads. They are called triads, because they consist of three distinct notes.

Ok so you know what is the chord, but you don't have any idea how to play it, neither how to place your fingers. You will use all of your fingers, except your thumb finger. You can use your thumb finger to mute string which shouldn't be played. It all depends which chord you will play. If you want to learn more about it, make sure to visit Jamorama the best guitar guide on internet.
Remember, it will not sound perfect when you play it for the first time. That is why you need to practice every day for a little bit. A thousand miles journey starts with a single step! Step by step, and you will become much greater guitarist. You will be a rock fucking star! Trust me. :)
I will now give you diagrams for 3 chords, so that you can practice them.

A major
E 0 / B 2 / G 2 / D 2 / A 0 / E x

D major
E 2 / B 3 / G 2 / D 0 / A x / E x

E major
E 0 / B 0 / G 1 / D 2 / A 2 / E 0

You can see there is a number next to the letter of guitar string. Lets take a look at the A major chord. For example, 0 means that you don't need to put any of your fingers on the first string E. For string B, you need to put your finger on the second fingerboard. Letter x means that you don't play the last E string.

Now, go practice these chords, and come back soon for some new beginner guitar lessons. Till then, feel free to add comment, suggestion or anything like that.

Keep rockin',
Mike