Lesson 1: Playing Open Chords

Introduction
In the first lesson, you will learn how to play the open chords properly. We will be working with the following chords: A, B7, C, D, E, F and G. You can get a quick visual picture of how to play these chords by clicking here: Chord Chart Diagrams. Open chords are chords that are not barred (use Google if you do not understand what a barre chord is and how it is played on the guitar). You may have been playing the guitar for a long time never realizing that some chords are fingered different ways. Please play the chords the way that I have suggested, so that you can carefully follow my instructions in the future to learn songs.

Tablature
I have created tablature files for each chord. These tablature files will show you how to play each chord. If you have not had any experience working with tablature files, there are many resources on the web that can help you. Go to Google and enter "how to read guitar tablature". One very basic site explaining tablature can be found here.

Exercises:
I have created individual files for each chord that I want you to learn. I want you to spend time with each individual chord and learn how to play the patterns that are unique to each chord. Work with each of the chords, until you are comfortable playing each chord. Don't rush! It's critical that you spend as much time as you need getting comfortable with the patterns for playing each chord.

As you begin keep in mind the following things:
1. Each and every exercise begins with the bass notes for each chord. These base notes are played using your thumb.
2. Your fingers will form the chord position while playing these exercises.
3. Your first finger will pluck the second string.
4. Your second finger will pluck the first string.

Now it's time to have some fun and start practicing! Go through each chord, and spend as much time as you need to get comfortable playing the patterns. This is not a race! For some players, learning each pattern might take 10 minutes or less and for others these exercises might take more time. Just take your time, learn the patterns, and have fun.

The C Chord

The D Chord

The E Chord

The F Chord
Note: *** To play the F chord, T is thumb played on the 6th string. This is a difficult chord to play and it will take awhile for you to master it. Please Be Patient!

The G Chord
Note: *** To play the G chord, please play it exactly the way it is listed on the “Chord Chart” diagram…very important!

The A Chord


The B7 Chord