Easy Guitar Chords | Simple Chords for Guitar | Beginner Guitar Chords

The A major chord is played on the 1st string at the fifth fret. Use your index finger to press down across all six strings at the fifth fret. Use your pinky and ring fingers at the seventh fret, and your middle at the sixth fret. If you have big fingers it can get a little crowded but be careful not to have the finger on one string buzz or mute the other strings.

Here is another way to play a major chord. You'll note we're still at the fifth fret however we are no longer playing the 1st string. This next set of electric guitar chords starts on the 2nd string. It is still a major chord (in this case, D major). The notes of this chord are exactly the same as the D major chord we described on the 1st string and played at the 10th fret. The chords are exactly the same, only we're playing them on a different string. Like the electric guitar chords taught on the 1st string, get used to sliding your hand up and down the fretboard to play different major chords. As an example, see the E major chord below (at the 7th fret).

Memorize the chord positions we've taught through this point as we will be using them over and over again in subsequent lessons. Get used to being able to move between the two major chord positions (from 1st string to 2nd string and back).

As a bonus here is another chord on the first string, a minor chord fingering position. In this case (at the fifth fret) we are playing an A minor chord. The only difference between this chord and the A major chord you'll note that we no longer use the middle finger at the sixth fret. Any guesses how to translate the minor chord onto the chords on the 2nd string? (hint: use the hand fingering shown for the major chord on the 1st string but instead begin on the 2nd string). You should now know two electric guitar chords on two different strings.