Rockin' the Basics: Mastering C, A, G, E and D Open Chords

Basic Open Chords for Guitar

Learning guitar can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming when starting out. That's why it's important to focus on the basics and build on them. In this lesson, we will be going over the five basic open chords: C, A, G, E, and D.

"Learning guitar is like learning a language. Start with the basics and build on them." - Eddie Van Halen, apparently.

C Major Chord

The C major is made up of three notes: C, E, and G (not super important right now, but fun to know!) To play the C major chord, place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Strum only 5 strings missing the top E string.

A Major Chord

The A major chord is made up of three notes: A, C#, and E (again, don't stress if you can't remember these, that stuff comes later). To play the A major chord, place your index finger on the second fret of the D string, your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the B string. Then like the C chord, you only need to strum the 5 bottom strings.

G Major Chord

The G major chord is another basic chord that is easy to play. It is made up of three notes: G, B, and D. To play the G major chord, place your index finger on the third fret of the low E string, your middle finger on the fifth fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the fifth fret of the D string. Strum all six strings.

E Major Chord

The E major chord is another basic chord that is easy to play. It is made up of three notes: E, G#, and B. To play the E major chord, place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the D string. Strum all six strings.

D Major Chord

The D major chord is another basic chord that is easy to play. It is made up of three notes: D, F#, and A. To play the D major chord, place your index finger on the second fret of the A string, your middle finger on the third fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the G string. Strum all six strings.

Conclusion and HomeFUN

No such thing as ‘homework’ when it comes to guitar 🙃

With practice, these basic chords will become second nature, and you can start to move on to more other fundamental chords and techniques. Remember to take it slow and be patient with yourself as you learn.