And so, you've just bought the guitar you've always wanted and a couple of songbooks. However, when you opened the books, you were disappointed. What is this? And this? And this other one? The confusion took total control of your mind and you threw the book in the garbage can to play random notes on the guitar. Not really the best way to start playing. Either way, it is possible to learn to play literally thousands of songs by knowing only a few chords. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you will be able to read the chord diagrams and start studying the guitar seriously.
Steps
Step 1. Let's see the parts that make up the chord diagram
On the right we can see an example of a diagram.
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The grid represents the guitar neck.
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The thin horizontal line at the top represents the nut of the instrument, which is located at the beginning of the fingerboard, and divides the headstock from the neck.
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The horizontal lines represent the keys.
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The vertical lines represent the strings.
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The vertical line immediately to the left is the 6th string (the thickest string).
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The one that was found further to the right represents the first string (the thinnest one).
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Step 2. Let's see what the symbols mean
The first position agreements. These chords are based on the nut of the instrument and have the greatest number of open strings.
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The letter at the top of the diagram is the name of the chord.
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The X on the nut indicates a string that should not be played. Mute the string with a free finger or don't pick it.
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The O above the nut indicates an open string, which means you must play it without pressing any frets.
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The black dots on the cores indicate the fret to press on the string to change its frequency. Each particular frequency of the string is called a "note". When there are multiple strings vibrating at different frequencies, the sound produced is called a "chord".
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Step 3. Let's see how to place your fingers on the keyboard
On the diagram the fingers are indicated as:
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1 - Index finger
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2 - Middle finger
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3 - Ring finger
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4 - Little finger
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T - Thumb
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According to this diagram, for example, the first finger is placed on the second string, the second finger is placed on the fourth string and the third finger is placed on the fifth string.
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Step 4. Learn to read the chords on other positions
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The number outside the diagram on the left side (5th) indicates the root fret of the chord.
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The number of black dots indicate which finger to use on that key. Since some chords are quite complex, finger numbers help you position your fingers on the fretboard correctly. When the thumb is used (in more complicated chords), this is typically used by passing it over the top of the neck and stretching it to the fret to be pressed.
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Step 5. Learn some positions
Major chords (such as the notes of the major scale) are A, A # (sharp) Si C, C #, D, D #, E, F, F #, G and G #.
Step 6. Learn the major chords on the first basic position (open)
B and F and all sharp chords will not be covered in this guide, as these chords have more complicated fingerings and use the barré, which you will learn later. You will learn these chords later.
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There
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Step 7. Do
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King
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Me
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Sol
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Step 8. Study the fingerings for these chords until you have memorized them in such a way that you can easily switch between chords
Step 9. Try playing a song
Some nice chord progressions to play are:
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A - G - D - Study each chord one at a time, change position and pick up. Repeat until you can play the transition from one chord to another smoothly and cleanly.
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Sol - La - Re
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Re - A - Sol
Read Chord Diagrams Step 8Bullet3 - Mi - Sol - La
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Mi - La - Re
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Step 10. Try increasing the number of strumming per chord by altering the strum speed and inventing your own chord progressions
At this point, if you can play these simple chord progressions, it's time to take that songbook back and try it out.
Advice
- Keep studying regularly and gradually increase the length of your study sessions. This way you will develop muscle memory and the notorious calluses on the fingers. Calluses allow you to play longer. Don't worry though, corns don't grow indefinitely. Adjust the length of your study sessions according to your abilities.
- Study at least once a day. Doing multiple study sessions per day would be ideal.
- Play along with your stereo / mp3 player / computer. This way you will be able to learn the rhythm and change the chords at the right moment.
- The study of some chords takes time. If you can't play and get frustrated, relax, you are working too hard. Take a break, your hands will thank you.
- Don't make sessions too long. You will only tire and wear out your fingers.
- Find a teacher. It could be a friend who has played longer than you or a professional teacher who can teach you the guitar correctly.
- At first practice with simple songs. When you start getting better, try playing the hardest songs, which are your favorites most of the time!
