First chords

Beginner guitar chords that actually show up in songs

Start with Em, G, C, D, Am, Dm, E, and A. Those shapes unlock a large amount of beginner music.

Taught by Rene Free Beginner first

Quick answer

Learn Em and G first, then C and D. Those four open chords play a huge number of songs. After that add Am, Dm, E and A. Leave F and other barre chords until the open shapes change smoothly.

Em and G first
Then C and D
Barre chords later

Hear and see the first eight shapes

Real hands, from the angle you see when you look down at your own guitar. Tap Play to hear how the chord should sound when every string rings.

A left hand holding a Em chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — Em

A left hand holding a G chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — G

A left hand holding a C chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — C

A left hand holding a D chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — D

A left hand holding a Am chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — Am

A left hand holding a Dm chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — Dm

A left hand holding a E chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — E

A left hand holding a A chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint — A

Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.

Press just behind the fret

This one change fixes most beginner buzzing. Put the fingertip in the gap just before the metal fret wire, not on top of it. You need far less pressure and the note rings instead of choking.

A fingertip pressing the string just behind the fret wire, on the headstock side, with the knuckle arched — Just behind the wire. Less force, cleaner note.

Learn them in this order

Each pair builds on the one before, so a new shape never feels like starting from zero. Numbers in the diagrams are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky.

1
Em and G
Em: Two fingers and every string rings. The friendliest first shape. G: Pairs with Em in hundreds of songs. Build it from the thickest string up.
2
C and D
C: The first real stretch. Curl finger 1 so the thin e string rings. D: Small triangle on the thin strings. Skip the two thickest strings.
3
Am and E
Am: The C shape with one finger moved. Easy once C works. E: Em plus one finger. Loud, full and easy to find.
4
Dm and A
Dm: D's darker cousin. Useful for sadder sounding songs. A: Three fingers in a row. Squeeze them into one fret space.

Songs you can play with these chords

Each set below uses only chords from this page.

Songs with C, D, G CDG 3 songs See the songs Songs with A, D, E ADE 2 songs See the songs Songs with Am, C, G AmCG 2 songs See the songs Songs with C, D, Em, G CDEmG 7 songs See the songs

Do not collect every chord

A beginner does not need every possible shape. Learn the small group that unlocks songs, then practice switching between them.

Use songs as proof

If a chord appears in songs you want to play, it earns a place in practice. If not, leave it for later.

Useful next pages

First guitar chordsThe smallest useful starting set Interactive chord libraryHear and save the shapes that slow you down Chord buzzing fixerFind the one string that will not ring

Common questions

What guitar chords should I learn first?

Start with Em and G, then add C and D. After that, add Am, Dm, E, and A.

How long does it take to change chords cleanly?

Expect a few days for the first shapes and a few weeks for smoother changes. Slow clean changes beat fast messy ones.

Beginner guitar chords that actually show up in songs

Quick answer

Hear and see the first eight shapes

Press just behind the fret

Learn them in this order

Em and G

C and D

Am and E

Dm and A

Songs you can play with these chords

Do not collect every chord

Use songs as proof

Useful next pages

Common questions

Stop collecting tips. Follow one plan.