Guitar Today

Today we will be looking at some of the most popluar Major guitar chords. They are usually the first set of chords that any guitar teacher will give you, and as your friendly psuedo teacher (who isn’t mean and doesn’t give homework) I am going to give you those same chords. The Major G, C and D guitar chords are very important to music because they make up almost all of our common three chord melodies and strike a sense of familiarity in our minds. Not only do they make up most of the melodies, but these three major chords basically resemble every possible three chord major melody there is.

How to play the G,C,D major guitar chords

We’ll start by looking at the chords and each of their fingering positions, then we’ll look at some basic applications that may surprise you.

Remember how to read chord diagrams? Use the red circles as a guideline for which finger to use, these chords go in order of difficulty so, if you are new at chords, brace yourself for the D major chord coming up at the end. Don’t be surprised if you need a break after the fingering lesson.

G Major- The G major guitar chord, often called simply the G chord. Heres how to play it: Place your second finger on the third fret of the sixth string, place your index finger on the second fret of the 5th string, take your pinky (4th) finger and place it on the third fret of the (streeeeetch) first string. Now press down on the frets and strum. Now say ‘G’ what a swell sound that makes

C Major- Place your middle finger on the third fret of the fifth string, place your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string, place your first (index) finger on the first fret of the first string. ‘C’ how easy that was?

D Major- This one is a tuffy. The D major chord is the thorn in the sides of many budding guitarists (thorns? budding? man I’m on a roll today). Once you have it down its’ a snap to play, but at first this major chord can cause major cramps. I think its’ partially from squeezing your fingers into a tight spot and then having to apply pressure.

Place your first finger on the second fret of the first string, place your third finger, on the third fret of the second string, next place your middle finger on the second fret of the third string. You will now be ‘D’-lighted to hear the sound of the D major chord.

Changing chords, Chord Progressions…

Once you have each of these chords mastered, try strumming them in differing patterns so you can practice rapidly changing guitar chords without any pauses.

Some chord progressions to try out: Get ready for someone to come running into the room shouting “I know that song!”

A THREE CHORD MELODY - G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G/C-C-C-C/D-D-D-D

SWEET THREE CHORD STATE - D-D-D-D-/C-C-C-C-/G-G-G-G-

LETS CALL THIS A 12 BAR BLUES DERRIVATIVE 

G-G-G-G/G-G-G-G/C-C-C-C/G-G-G-G/D-D-D-D/C-C-C-C/G-G-G-G

In tomorrow’s lesson we will continue looking at some major chords for the guitar. Feel free to post any questions, corrections or comments

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