A guitar chord is a number of different notes played at the same time to make a specific sound. The chord is made up of a number of individual notes and is named after one of them. In order to play a chord you must apply pressure to the appropriate strings, pushing them against the appropriate fret while strumming the strings with the other hand.

Four of the most important chords to learn for playing the guitar are E minor, C9, D, and G. If you learn just these four basic guitar chords you will be equipped to play literally thousands of songs – you’ll be surprised just how many, and indeed which ones. For example, even if you only learn these chords you will be able to play Green Day’s Good Riddance!

In the diagrams below you will see the tab for these four chords. When reading the tab, remember that “0” means an open string, i.e. don’t put your fingers on it, and ‘X’ means a dead string. For a dead string you must not strum on that string.

E minor Chord

e (1)|-0————–|
B (2)|-0————–|
G (3)|-0————–|
D (4)|-2————–|
A (5)|-2————–|
E (6)|-0————–|

G Chord

e (1)|-3————–|
B (2)|-3————–|
G (3)|-0————–|
D (4)|-0————–|
A (5)|-2————–|
E (6)|-3————–|

C9 (Cadd9) chord:

e (1)|-0————–|
B (2)|-3————–|
G (3)|-0————–|
D (4)|-2————–|
A (5)|-3————–|
E (6)|-x————–|

D Chord

e (1)|-2————–|
B (2)|-3————–|
G (3)|-2————–|
D (4)|-0————–|
A (5)|-X————–|
E (6)|-X————–|

A few notes; the C9 chord is also known as the Cadd9 chord – don’t get confused. Also when you are switching from the G chord to the C9 chord you should not move your little finger from the high e (top string). Leaving it there makes the change considerably easier and has little to no effect on the sound.

With all chords, as you are pressing the strings against the frets with the one hand the other hand should be gently brushed across the strings from the top to the bottom. Use your thumb or pick for this action and make sure that you are strumming all the strings with an equal amount of pressure. The exception of course is when you are playing a chord with a dead string. For example, the A and low E strings for the D chord.

The best bet for practicing and learning how to play the most important guitar chords and in fact all of them, is to simply practice one step at a time. Start by perfecting your strum; even without pressing down on any of the frets. The practice your wrist movement until you find for yourself an even strum and a fluid movement. You can then start the finger formations of the chords. Many find it easier to first become familiar with the finger movements and moving the fingers between the chords, and only then bring it together with the strumming.

Now that you know a few chords, are you ready to learn how to play some of your other favorite songs? What if you could quickly learn to play songs from the Eagles, Green Day, Pink Floyd, Guns ‘n Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and more? We strongly recommend the best guitar training method available today called Jamorama. This excellent product includes 252 pages of lessons and 148 step by step video lessons. You can get your hands on this one of a kind guitar trainer right now for only $39.95! Use this exclusive link to buy it now!