Guitar Today

In the first major chords installment we looked at the main G,C,D chords, then we had a look at the open guitar chords E and A in part 2. In this third and final installment on major chords we will be looking at the last two major guitar chords. They are the B and F guitar chords. These chords require slightly more finger dexterity and strength.

B major

The B chord requires a technique called ‘barring’. Barring is using one finger to cover a fret on multiple. In the case of B you need to cover the first and last strings of the chord meaning your index finger must barre the entire width of the neck starting from the fifth string. You will need to press down extra hard and anchor with your wrists to do this. Place your index finger on the second fret of the fifth string, ring finger on the fourth fret of the third string, then place your pinky finger on the fourth fret of the second string.

F Major

To play the F major guitar chord, place your index finger across the first frets of the second and first strings, your middle finger on the second fret of the third string and your ring finger on the third fret of the fourth string. For this chord your index finger is somewhat barring the beck as your need to place it flat on the two first guitar strings.

In yesterday’s post we covered the G,C, and D, major guitar chords. Today we will look at two major chords which are also known as open chords chords. They are also extremely easy to play. E major and A major are a little bit tricky because the major and minor versions of the chords form opposing chord shapes. Where E major resembles an A minor on the first string, A major resembles an E minor on the fifth.

E major - The E major chord is as low as you can go on a standard tuned guitar. E is also agreat chord to play a guitar solo to because you have the most distance across the fretboard to work with as it is the first and among the last of the notes on the board. To play the E major chord place your index finger on the first fret of the third string, your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string, your middle finger on the second fret of the fifth string and leave the sixth string open. Strum at will.

A major - The A major is a very easy guitar chord to learn. To play the A major chord place your index finger on the second fret of the fourth string, your middle finger on the second fret of the third string, and your ring finger on (you guessed it) the second fret of the second string.

The above demo uses the E, A and D major, which is also sometimes considered an open chord. The next two major chords are C and B which get into a slightly more difficult fingering position. But first we’ll be having a look atsome strumming patterns you can use for these examples.

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