Okay, this will be an easy lesson for you guys, whether you’ve played a while, or are just starting. Remember the C chord we all know and love?
Well, now we’re going to find some other cool sounds with that shape.
Three Beautiful Easy Chords-The C-Form
More Cool Altered Chords: A2, Aadd2, and Amaj9
Okay now that you know some cool chords in open A. If you don’t I’d encourage you to read the last post. I’m gonna get into the chord science and theory a bit, but if all you want is the chord shapes skip to the end. Like I said before, I’d encourage you to learn why this works and maybe even find a few chords of your own.
So grab a cup of joe and let’s learn some more chords!
Open Chord Technique: Open A Chords
So here’s an entry for you guys who have played a while. You know your basic chords and maybe a few barre chords. Now what? The open chord concept is going to get you far in your playing and is easy on the fingers.
So here I’ll show you some cool open A chords and even how to find them yourself.
Here’s a couple options for you. If you just want some quick cool chords to learn, and don’t want to learn geeky theory skip to the end to the chart of open A chords. But I’d challenge you to learn the theory behind it and how to find them yourself. The theory tells us why it works. So let’s get started, shall we?
Part 3 of Beginner Chord Series: D Major
And now for the third installment of our epic trilogy… (Movie trailer voice) D major!
Learn the easy version first if you have trouble holding down the chord. Only play those highest two strings in the easy version. Remember, thumb behind the neck. Fingers straight down, not all sideways.
Once you have the easy chords down, you’re ready to start practicing the full versions. Start on the D strong (that fourth one with the “O” on top which means “open string”.
Now that you know G, C, and D you can start playing songs! I’ll put up one or two on the blog soon or you.
Part 2 of Beginner Chord Series: G Major
One more chord for you: easy G Major. Often called a “cheater chord”, because you’re not playing the exact chord, but this will get you by in a pinch.
Yes, this one is even easier than C so it will be fun if you’re having a lot of trouble holding down chords. Learn this and play C and G back and forth. When you get that down, then you can try the real G, which is fuller:
Enjoy your new chord!
Easy Chords For Guitar-Part 1: C Major
This post is for those just starting out. The first chord you get to learn is C Major.
The full chord is this: 
Hard to play? That’s okay. If you want you can start with the easy version. Just one finger!
Play only the last three strings (the highest ones).
When you play the chord, keep your thumb on the back of the neck, so that the fingers come straight down, not all slouchy sideways.
Hurts to play? Yeah, it’ll take some time to get used to. The tips in the link might help.
Make sure it sounds clear and beautiful. If it thumps, just keep working at it. It takes time, but think of how awesome it will be to play music!
Fingers hurt from guitar? Try these five easy tips.
“Ow! My fingers hurt!” Many teachers will tell you just grin and bear it. But I’ll try to help you this time, because you’re just starting and I don’t want you giving up!
And yes, the fingers hurt from guitar at first, but the fingers toughen up with practice.
I know, I know. “But they’re not toughened up yet, and it still hurts. Wah!”
Okay, fine. You might be Eddie Van Halen at heart, you just need a little help! I’ll show you a few ideas that will help in the meantime:
How To Learn a Skill Without “Natural Talent”.
Greetings to all who came over from Puttylike. You should enjoy this. You can never learn too many skills, right?
One day I was visiting several booths at a wellness fair. One guy was showing his mental exercise program which was supposed enhance skill and productivity for careers and businesses.
He had me do an exercise where I twiddled my pointed fingers from both hands in a circle. Then had me circle them opposite directions.
Guestpost for Puttylike: The Multipotentialite Musician
Here’s a guestpost I wrote for Emilie Wapnick’s blog, which focuses on “multipotentialites”, those who get good at many skills rather than just one. Go check it out at Puttylike.com!
A long time ago, before even I was born was the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. The crowd awaited Bob Dylan’s usual appearance as the roadies started setting up equipment. But something was wrong…wait a minute…guitar amps? Drums?!!
Wasn’t this the darling of true folkies who followed the footsteps of Woody Guthrie? Dylan eventually appeared with a full-fledged rock band to amplify his message loud and clear. Some clapped and some booed, but it made music history.
Bob Dylan refused to be categorized or plastered to a mold. He had a message to bring to the world, and he would use whatever method, whatever style he had to play to bring it.
To read more visit Puttylike.com.
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