The Major Chords Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (01:02) Lesson Intro Before you begin to tackle intermediate chord structures, it is very important that you have a solid foundation in basic "open" chords. Remember that "open" chords are basic chord shapes played close to the nut. These chords contain one or more open strings. You must learn all open major/minor chord shapes before you learn their minor 7th, major 7th, and dominant 7th counterparts. Learning to play any musical instrument is often compared to building a house. If you do not have a solid foundation, the entire structure will topple. Chapter 2: (06:04) The Major Chords In this lesson, David will climb the music alphabet as he teaches the major chords. You will learn the A, B, C, D, E, F, and G major chords. Gaining the ability to rapidly change between these chords is an absolutely essential skill. Dave will give you some tips to help you get started with this process.

Note: Chord names involving b's or #'s are discussed in many of JamPlay's Phase 2 lessons.

A Major

There are several viable fingering options for the basic, open A chord.

Note: The following information is taken from Jim Deeming's Phase 1 lesson pertaining to "A" shaped chords.

There are several different ways to play an A chord. The first A chord that every student should learn is referred to as the "open" A chord. A chord shape is referred to as "open" when it contains one or more open strings. There are three different ways to finger the basic A chord.

Option 1

The most common fingering of the A chord is demonstrated first. Here is a string-by-string breakdown of the left-hand fingering:

6th string: not played
5th string: open
4th string: 2nd fret, 1st finger
3rd string: 2nd fret, 2nd finger
2nd string: 2nd fret, 3rd finger
1st string: open

Notice how fingers 1, 2, and 3 are stacked on top of each other.

This fingering is typically taught first, because it is easiest for most beginning guitarists to master. However, this is not always the best fingering to use. Some guitarists simply have bigger hands than others do. If you have spent significant time trying to master this fingering of the A chord with no success, it might be time to move on to another fingering option.

Option 2

Many guitarists with large hands prefer to play the open A shape a different way. Guitarists with large hands have difficulty with smashing three fingers into the space of one fret. The pinky finger is much smaller than the first finger. For this reason, the first finger is pulled from the chord fingering, and the pinky is added. Here is the appropriate fingering for the chord:

6th string: not played
5th string: open
4th string: 2nd fret, 2nd finger
3rd string: 2nd fret, 3rd finger
2nd string: 2nd fret, 4th finger
1st string: open

Notice how the left-hand fingers are still stacked on top of each other. This is a difficult fingering to use when adding additional melody notes to a chord.

Option 3

When playing an A chord, many players prefer to barre all the notes at the second fret with the first finger. This frees up the other three fingers to play a melody in conjunction with the chord. This particular fingering may be difficult for beginners who have not yet learned any barre chords.

Many guitarists prefer to use the third fingering option for the A chord. (JamPlay instructor Matt Brown uses this fingering exclusively for open A.) This shape provides many immediate advantages. Since each finger is not stacked in a line, it is much easier to fit three fingers into one fret. Take a look at the picture of this chord being fretted in Supplemental Content. The third finger is directly below the second finger. This saves some essential space.

It is much easier to switch to different chords when this fingering is applied. In the key of A, the primary chords are A, D, and E. When switching from A to D for example, the first finger does not need to move at all. If you use option 1 or 2 to finger the A chord, you will need to completely reposition your fingers to play D. Also, it is much easier to switch from A to E and vice versa. The first finger only needs to slide down one fret to set up for the E chord.

Although this fingering looks quite awkward, it is actually quite comfortable to play.

As always, remember the following rules when fretting any note within a chord:

1. The fretting fingers must remain as close as possible to the fretboard at all times.

2. When fretting a note, make sure that the appropriate left-hand finger is as close to the fretwire as possible without actually touching it. Pressing the string down right over top of the fret will cause a note to buzz and ring poorly. Pressing the string down too far from the fret will yield the exact same result. Make note of the location of Brian's fingers when he is fretting a note.

3. The string must be held down with sufficient pressure in order to produce a clear sound. Fretting a note with insufficient pressure causes the note to sound muted.

4. Pressing a string down too hard will cause the string to go sharp. If you apply too much pressure to the strings with your left hand, your playing will always sound slightly out of tune.

5. Do not flatten any of the joints in your left-hand fingers. Make sure each joint is relaxed and slightly bent at all times.

6. Keep the left-hand fingernails as short as possible!

B Major

The chord option that Dave presents for B contains no open strings. When you first learn the shape of this chord, you may find it useful to compare its shape to the A chord. Begin by fretting an A chord using Option 2 listed above. Then, slide this shape up the neck two frets. Finally, use the index finger to fret the 2nd fret of the first string. Unlike the A shape however, the A string is not played. Only the 4 highest strings are strummed in this chord shape.

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the B chord.

C Major

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the C chord.

Many Jamplay members have expressed difficulties they are having with the open C chord. Remember the following guidelines whenever you practice this chord shape.

1. Keep the left-hand fingernails as short as possible! If you don't do this, the remaining steps are meaningless!

2. The string should make contact with the finger on the padded area right next to the nail.

3. Do not flatten any of the joints in your left-hand fingers. Make sure each joint is relaxed and slightly bent at all times.

4. Arch the wrist outwards away from your body. This will cause each of your fingers to arch higher over the strings. Now, your fingers will not accidentally mute the open strings.

5. The sixth string is not strummed in an open C chord.

6. Be patient! If you don't master this chord at first, that's ok. Most people have to spend a few weeks to master the C shape. Keep up the practice, and you'll eventually get it. Chapter 3: (11:44) Finishing Up the Chords D Major

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the D chord.

Be careful that you don't accidentally mute the high E string when playing the D chord. The low E and A strings are omitted from this chord shape. However, sometimes the low A string is added to the basic D chord shape to form a D/A chord. This chord is used very frequently in rock music.

E Major

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the E chord.

The E chord is frequently regarded by beginning students as one of the easiest chords to learn. If you find yourself struggling with some of the other chords, build your confidence by completely mastering the E chord shape. All six strings are strummed when playing E.

Typically, you want to keep your left thumb anchored to the middle of the neck. However, it is acceptable to bring the thumb above the neck when playing certain open chord. E is one such example.

F Major

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the F chord.

This may be the hardest chord you ever learn. Keep this in mind when learning this shape. It requires that your fingers position themselves in a way that they are completely not used to. It took JamPlay instructor Matt Brown more than a month to master this chord as a child. On the flipside, if you can master this chord, all other chord shapes will immediately seem easier.

The F chord features a difficult barre across the E and B strings. A barre occurs when a single finger frets more than one string. This barre occurs at the first fret.

G Major

Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for a fretboard diagram of the G chord.

There are several different fingering options for the open G chord. David presents the first option in this lesson.

Option 1

6th string: 3rd fret, second finger
5th string: 2nd fret, first finger
4th string: open
3rd string: open
2nd string: open
1st string: 3rd fret, third finger

Option 2

6th string: 3rd fret, third finger
5th string: 2nd fret, second finger
4th string: open
3rd string: open
2nd string: open
1st string: 3rd fret, pinky finger

Option 3

6th string: 3rd fret, second finger
5th string: 2nd fret, first finger
4th string: open
3rd string: open
2nd string: open
1st string: 3rd fret, pinky finger

The fingering option used depends entirely on the context of the G chord within a chord progression.

Congratulations! You have now learned major chords A-G. That is a big step in your guitar development. The next logical step is to begin switching from one chord to another. Practice this concept by using the musical alphabet. Switch from A to B to C etc.

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