Playing some Open Chords!!

A couple of things to remember before learning to play open chords are:

1. The strings are numbered one to six starting at the high E string (nearest the floor).

2. Starting at the 1st string, the strings are named in this order: E, B, G, D, A, E

3. In this article you're learning three Major Chords.

4. When you're fretting the Chords place your fingers near the frets but not on the frets.

So let's begin:

The open Major Chords you'll learn to play is: G, C, and D

G Chord: The most used form of G major Chord is as follows: Using your first three fingers, place your index on the fifth string - second fret, your middle finger on the sixth string - third fret and your middle finger on the first string - third fret.

Check to see if you have the strings correctly fretted by plucking each string individually (fretted and unfretted strings) to get a clean sound without any buzzing or muffled sound. If either string doesn't sound cleanly, there can be a number of reasons for this such as:
1. Your fingers are ON the frets. Move them slightly behind the frets.
2. You haven't yet built up enough strength in your fingers to fret the strings cleanly. Practice until you do.
3. Some parts of your fingers may be touching against other strings. You may need to re-adjust your hand.

When you have fretted the G Chord cleanly, move on to the C Chord:
First finger, second string - first fret
Second finger, fourth string - second fret
Third Finger, fifth string - third fret

Then to the D Chord:
First finger, third string - second fret
Second Finger, first string - second fret
Third Finger, second string - third fret

As with the G Chord, pluck all strings and check as above.

Practice those three chords until you can do them cleanly. When you have accomplished it, learn to change from one to another and back. Start slowly, moving from one to another.

For some chords a common finger may already be in place. For example: when moving from G to C, you'll notice that the second finger remains the same for both chords. So when changing from G to C or vice versa, keep the middle finger always down and move the other two fingers back and forth.

As you learn Chords, you will find there are others that share a common finger. Remember to always keep the common finger in place when making change from one chord to another.

As you learn to change chords, with time and practice you will build up speed. Keep practicing until you can change fairly quickly and cleanly.