Beginning to play the guitar using one finger, or easy chord forms is the most effective way to start the learning process. We have previously covered the easy C chord, which only requires one finger to play on the guitar.  In this lesson we will learn the easy G7 chord form.  This chord is actually a little easier to play on the guitar than the easy c chord and is sometimes taught first.  See the chord diagram below:

G7 Chord - Easy, one finger form for beginners

The G7 chord also only uses the first the string on the guitar.  To play the easy G7 chord, place your index finger on the first fret of the first string (E string).  Make sure your are playing the fretted note on your fingertip, or that your index finger is pointed straight in on the guitar fretboard.  Now, starting from the 3rd string (G), strum down and play all three of the strings below your pick at the same time.  You have just played the G7 chord.

What you can do now is practice changing between the easy C chord and the easy G7 chord, maybe strumming each one four times.

C major chord - Easy, one finger form

To play this easy c chord on the guitar, simply place your index finger on the first fret of the B string (2nd string from the bottom). Make sure your finger is right next to the metal fret and that the fleshy part of your finger is not touching the next string down (high E string). Next, place your guitar pick on the 3rd (G) string, which is just above the string your index is place on, and strum down.

You have just played the easy c major chord.

** Before we begin, make sure your guitar is tuned. You should always tune your guitar before playing, otherwise the chords or songs you play on the guitar may not sound right.

The G7 Chord

Let’s start with the G7 chord first. Why? Because it is the easiest of the 3 easy guitar chord forms. Place your index finger on the 1^st fret of the first (bottom) string. Now strum down starting from the 3^rd or G string. Congratulations! You just played a G7 chord on the guitar.

The C Major Chord

For the next easy guitar chord, all you need to do is to move your index finger up one string. So, for the C chord, your index finger should be on the 1^st fret of the 2^nd string. Now strum the same 3 string as you did for the G7 chord and you have just played a C chord on the guitar.

The G Chord

For the last of the easy guitar chords, we will have to switch fingers so this is a chance to give your index finger a break. To play the easy G chord, place your ring finger on the 3^rd fret of the 1^st string and strum the same 3 strings as with the previous 2 chords. That’s it, you’re done. You’ve learned and played your first three chords on the guitar.

Guitar Chord Tips

• Make sure your fingers are curled and you are pressing the strings with your fingertips.
• Also make sure all of the notes in the guitar chords are ringing out, carefully pluck each string to ensure make sure of this. Since there are only 3 strings or notes in each of these chords, each one is important.
• Practice changing between the new guitar chords you’ve learned.

As a beginner, learning to play guitar chords is one of the quickest ways to be able to start playing along with songs and show noticeable improvement. Once you have learned several chords, you will be able to play most popular song by reading a “chord and lyrics sheet”. Also, a wide range of guitar playing styles can be achieved by simply changing the technique in which the chords are played. For instance, strumming the chords quickly and aggressively can give you either a rock or Flamenco feel, depending on the chords.  While playing each note individually, known as playing an arpeggio or “broken chord”, can produce a more intimate feel required in a ballad.

Beginner Guitar Chords

When you are first beginning to learn how to play guitar, starting with chords can seem difficult, especially changing from one chord to another. Many of the chord shapes themselves may seem impossible, like the B major chord for example. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to learn how to play all the guitar chords at once, start with some easy, one finger chords first. This will introduce your fingers to the concepts needed to master the more difficult chords.

Moving on to Major Chords

After you have become comfortable playing the easy chords, you can move on the learning the basic major chords. There are seven basic major chords:

• A chord
• B chord
• C chord
• D chord
• E chord
• F chord
• G chord

When learning these chords on the guitar, save the B chord and the F chord for last. They are the more difficult chords of the group.

Minor Chords

Once you have learned the major chords, you can begin learning to play minor chords on the guitar. For each of the major chords listed above, there is also a minor chord. The easiest minor chords to start with are:

• E minor chord
• A minor chord
• D minor chord

Start with these first, and then move on to the other minor chords.

Learning to play guitar chords is one of the most important aspects of playing guitar. Guitar chords are the backbone of almost all popular songs today. Once you have learned the guitar chords listed above, you will be able to play along with almost any song on the radio. Even though some of the chords on the guitar can be challenging, using a gradual method of learning is the best way to quickly learn how to play guitar chords.