Advice On Beginner Guitar

by trialofthecentury

posted on 06/29/2009

STARTER GUITAR CHORDS: G, D, C

The trick to teaching guitar is systematic repetition. Using the right fingers on the right strings is very important. Here are a few chords and tips to get you started.

TIP #1: Getting off on the right . . . hand.

The absolute first thing one preparing to play guitar should do is identify their dominant hand. Are you right handed or left handed? You'll most likely want to strum with your dominant hand (i.e. right for right-handed people) and form chords with your non-dominant hand (i.e. left hand for right handed people). Just to be sure, let's review the names of our fingers.
Thumb: Thumb
1st finger from thumb: Index
2nd finger from thumb: Middle
3rd finger from thumb: Ring
4th finger from thumb: Pinkie


TIP #2: Know Your Strings

A standard acoustic guitar has six strings, each of which is tuned to a different note (E, A, D, G, B, E). Holding the guitar upright in your lap, the lowest pitch comes from the sixth string, which is closest to the ceiling. This highest pitch comes from the first string, which is closest to the floor. The strings are numbered as follows:

Sixth (E)
Fifth (A)
Fourth (D)
Third (G)
Second (B)
First (E)

Now that we have our fingers and strings identified, we're ready to shape some chords!

TIP#3: Don't Fret!

Frets are the divided spaces on the neck of the guitar. A standard guitar may have anywhere from 14 to 22 frets. Regardless, the higher up the frets one goes, the higher a pitch they get. Frets are identified numerically, thus the first fret is the first open space on the neck of the guitar, nearest the tuning pegs; the second is the second space nearest the tuning pegs, and so on.

TIP# 4: 1000 Songs in three chords

The chords G, D, and C make up an array of songs, from "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" to "Let Her Cry". While I won't teach songs here (you can look them up on any number of websites), knowing the chords is the first step. That said, let's dive in.

G Chord

1) Place your middle finger on the sixth string, third fret.
2) Place your index finger on the fifth string, second fret.
3) Place your pinkie on the first string, third fret
4) Strum.

D Chord

1) Place your index finger on the third string, second fret.
2) Place your ring finger on the second string, third fret.
3) Place your middle finger on the first string, second fret.
4) Strum.

C Chord

1) Place your ring finger on the second string, third fret.
2) Place your middle finger on the fourth string, second fret.
3) Place your index finger on the fifth string, first fret.
4) Strum.

These are three easy chords to get you started, and off you go!

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jtrombetti says:

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