When you first start learning to play guitar, you will have to master the basics. It’s important to learn some guitar theory before you even start playing, so you will understand what notes are and how guitar players use them. So first lets see how to play guitar chords.
What is a Guitar Chord?
Before you start learning how to play guitar chords, you should probably have a basic understanding of what a chord actually is. The word chord comes from the Middle English word “cord” (accord shortened), and originally means to be in tune with each other. Simply put, today, a chord (or triad) is any three musical notes that are sounded together at the same time. The three notes that make up a guitar chord are the root note, third note and fifth note. Chords are usually named for their root note, and there are seven major chords: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. In any style of music, there are four types of chords: major, minor, augmented and diminished. Chords are the root of any song, and they are a necessary tool for rhythm guitar players.
What Do I Learn First?
Of course, if you are just starting out learning how to play guitar, you will be learning the most basic of chords until you are confident with finger positioning and switching back and forth between chords. As you get better and better, you will be able to add new and more difficult chords to your repertoire, and before long, you will be playing all kinds of awesome guitar songs, and even sitting in with your friends for fun jam sessions. If rock and heavy metal is your thing, you will probably learn power chords in the beginning as well as the basic guitar chords. Power chords utilize just two notes, the root and the fifth. You will also learn how to play barre chords, a fundamental guitar technique for anyone who wants to learn how to play rock and roll, and the basis for power chords.
Once you have mastered a few chords, as well as switching between them, you need to learn about chord progressions, which are what actually make up a song. Sure, you can play a bunch of chords together, but, if they aren’t meant to go together, you are not going to get a song that sounds any good.
What is the Best Way to Learn How to Play Guitar Chords?
If you are a beginner and want to learn how to play chords, the ideal thing to do is find yourself a great guitar instructor in your area and start taking lessons. If this is not possible, there are all kinds of options available to you on the Internet. There are many websites, including Guitar Tricks and JamPlay, where you can find all kinds of online guitar lessons, for everyone from beginner to expert. You will find chord charts, and easy-to-use video lessons that are the next best thing to having an actual instructor in the room with you. This is the best way to learn how to play guitar chords.
