Guitar With Rene
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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.

Open chord libraryPractice easy songs

Quick answer

Beginner guitar chords that actually show up in songs helps total beginners choose the next useful guitar practice step without sorting through random lessons.

  • Beginner-first
  • Plain-language guidance
  • Links to interactive practice tools

What the first eight shapes look like

Real hands, from the angle you see when you look down at your own guitar.

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

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.

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.

Em chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

G chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

C chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

D chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

Am chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

Dm chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

E chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

A chord

A useful open chord for your first songs and chord changes.

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 setInteractive chord libraryHear and save the shapes that slow you down

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.