Playing Your First Chords Guitar Lesson
Playing Your First Chords
Chris Liepe introduces you to your very first 2 chords, E and A. Since this is your first chord lesson, Chris also introduces a backing track for you to slowly play along with. Practicing in this manner will give you the feeling of playing with a band. You may be a beginner, but you can still jam like a pro!
Taught by Chris Liepe in Basic Electric Guitar with Chris seriesLength: 28:54Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Chapter 1: What Will Be Covered
- Review of terms and finger numbers.Chapter 2: Review
- Learn the E major chord and "chord push-ups."
- Learn the A major chord.
- Learn how to strum down and up along with a metronome.
- Explain backing tracks and demonstration.
Before moving on with the lesson, please take the time to review and cement your knowledge of the following:
- Finger numbers and string namesChapter 3: The E Major Chord
- Fret numbers and reference points (the location of the inlays on the fretboard)
- Take some time to tune up the guitar!
In this chapter, the E major chord is covered. Don't worry if you don't understand the chart below, Chris explains how to interpret it in the video and this write-up.
e:0
B:0
G:1-2
D:2-4
A:2-3
E:0
Interpreting the diagram: The letters are the string names. The first number after the colon is the fret number. A "0" means a string is still played, but is played "open." The second number is the finger you use to fret that particular note.
Chord Pushups
-Build the chord with the left hand. -Take your hand off of the fretboard. -Shake your hand out and rebuild the chord. -Strum the chord and make sure that each string rings clearly. -Repeat the process. This will help you build strength and endurance when playing new chords.Chapter 4: The A Major Chord
Now it's time to look at our second chord, A major. This chord is crucial knowledge for every guitarist.
e:0
B:2-4
G:2-3
D:2-2
A:0
E:X
Note: An "X" indicates that the string is not played when strumming.
Now that you know the A major chord, practice it with the "chord push-up" technique
Chapter 5: Strumming and the Metronome
In this chapter, Chris primarily discusses the importance of playing along with a metronome. The following topics are covered:
- The Downstroke.Please be sure to practice and review these sections along with the video. Learning to play with a metronome is essential for all musicians.
- The upstroke
- Review: holding the pick
- Strumming to a metronome: strum down along with each click of the metronome.
- Practice changing between the E and the A chord every 8 beats, then every 4 beats.
- Practice playing upstrokes on the "3 beat." So, downstrokes occur on "1" and upstrokes occur on "3."
Chapter 6: Backing Tracks
Once you are comfortable playing to your metronome, try playing with the supplied backing track. This has many benefits, including the following:
- It gives you a chance to play with other instruments and improves your timing.There are two versions of the backing track included with this lesson.
- It's another interesting way to practice.
One of them includes guitar and is meant for you to play along with the recorded guitar track. Try to imitate imitate what is played. The guitar is left out of the second track. It features just the drums and bass, so you can strum how you want to and get a sense of what it is like to play with a rhythm section. Regular practice with a metronome and backing track will truly help you become a musician that is capable of playing with others.
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric Guitar with Chris
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsChris will guide you through the world of electric guitar in this series.
Lesson 1
Introduction to Your Electric Guitar
Chris Liepe talks about the absolute basics of the guitar, including tuning, the guitar parts, and proper technique.
Length: 23:21 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Playing Your First Chords
Chris Liepe introduces you to your very first 2 chords, E and A. Since this is your first chord lesson, Chris also introduces a backing track for you to slowly play along with. Practicing in this manner...
Length: 28:54 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
3 New Chords: Complete the CAGED Method
Here in lesson 3, Chris teaches the C, G, and D chords. Once you have mastered the chords taught in this lesson and the previous lesson, you will have learned the CAGED method of remembering open chord...
Length: 12:22 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
The Basics to Tablature, Chord Charts, and Musical Notation
Chris is back with his most information packed lesson to date. In this lesson, you will learn how to read tablature, chord charts and musical notation. All of these tools will drastically help you in your...
Length: 25:38 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Introduction to the Concept of Scales
Chris Liepe is back in lesson 5 with an introduction to scales. In this lesson, you will learn how to play up and down simple scale patterns.
Length: 21:07 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Beginner Electric with Chris Liepe: Barre and Minor Chords
In this lesson, Chris introduces minor chords and barre chords.
Length: 25:23 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Strum Patterns and Time Signatues
Chris Liepe lays down some grooves in this lesson! He provides instruction on rhythmic strumming patterns and time signatures such as 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8.
Length: 21:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
All About Intervals
Intervals, Intervals, Intervals! Chris Liepe explains what they are, where they are found, and how to play them in this lesson.
Length: 14:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Intervals Pop Quiz
Sharpen your pencils and grab your guitar. It's pop quiz time. Chris Liepe adds to his beginner lesson series with a quiz on intervals. This is a hands-on lesson that will undoubtedly improve your ears....
Length: 15:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Triads: Everything You Need to Know
Chris Liepe breaks through his 10th lesson with a detailed discussion of triads. Dig in and take these triads for a ride!
Length: 24:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal Mini Series
This lesson begins a mini-series on effects pedals. Chris breaks down routing and how effects work with each other.
Length: 8:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Compression
The compression effect pedal is one of the most misunderstood pedals around. Chris Liepe finally sheds some light on the subject. By explaining all the different options and sounds this pedal can create,...
Length: 14:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Gain Stacking with Overdrive and Distortion
Chris Liepe is back with the 3rd installment in his Effects Pedal mini-series. He explains the concept of "gain stacking" by combining an Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal.
Length: 7:54 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Delay
Chris Liepe adds yet another lesson to his effect pedal-mini series. Here he covers the delay pedal. This effect that operates on the principles of time and rhythm. Use this pedal to add depth to your...
Length: 19:52 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Chorus
Chris Liepe quickly demonstrates the chorus pedal with some 80's style licks. This pedal can create a deep and rich addition to solos or add the illusion of multiple guitars.
Length: 3:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Understanding Key Signatures
Key Signatures! How do they relate to one another? Chris Liepe explains them in lesson 16 of his beginner series. Getting familiar with your key signatures will help pull everything together that has been...
Length: 15:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Harmony Basics
Chris Liepe demonstrates how to take a key signature (the set notes within a key) and stack 3rds on top of a root note to form chords. With the help of a modulating backing track, this should be a fun...
Length: 30:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Technique Basics: Alternate Picking
Chris explains and demonstrates the very basics of alternate picking. He also provides simple exercises to develop the technique in your own playing.
Length: 16:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Technique Basics: Legato Playing
Chris details and demonstrates the fundamental movements and suggested left hand position for legato playing -- specifically hammer-ons and pull-offs. He also provides exercises for developing the technique.
Length: 16:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
Technique Basics: Palm Muting
Chris talks about proper palm muting and discusses potential snags when first attempting the technique. He offers a number of exercises and patterns to help palm muting become a part of your rhythm playing.
Length: 9:22 Difficulty: 1.0 FREE
Technique Basics: Hybrid Picking
Hybrid Picking can add a fresh dimension to your chord and rhythm playing. In this lesson, Chris briefly covers how to get started with Hybrid Picking and offers two exercises that you can use to apply...
Length: 6:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Major Scale Positions in G (Part 1)
Chris talks about what it means to play in position and teaches three of the five "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.
Length: 12:44 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Scale Positions in G (Part 2)
Chris continues in his teaching of the five basic "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.
Length: 11:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
View Full Biography
Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.
Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.such a fun way to learn, thanks for this lesson cool!!!!
Great lesson. took about 100x on the chord change but ih finally sunk in.. love this series. thought i might be too old for this stuff but love the journey!
I never played a guitar until recently, just been pikin around by ear. then i decided to really take lessons, but it was hard to know what to do, my schedule is hard to work around. Then I found jamplay, I reall enjoy your lessons. Thanks Chis for the time you put into helping us "wanabees"!!
I never played a guitar until recently, just been pikin around by ear. then i decided to really take lessons, but it was hard to know what to do, my schedule is hard to work around. Then I found jamplay, I reall enjoy your lessons. Thanks Chis for the time you put into helping us "wanabees"!!
ill tell you what man i had a instructor who didnt teach me anything he mainly showed me what he could do the whole time, somewhat ruined the guitar for me but your helping me learn alot !
ill tell you what man i had a instructor who didnt teach me anything he mainly showed me what he could do the whole time, somewhat ruined the guitar for me but your helping me learn alot !
Not knocking the other instructors here at all, but playing almost immediately with music right after learning the first couple of chords is such a great learning tool. Definitely suits my learning style, though I need more practice since my transition from chord to chord while strumming is still pretty sloppy. Great job though, Chris. I look forward to the next lesson in the series.
Well, Chris, early early days I know, but within 1 hour I have managed the two chord change (well 98%!) I only started any form of lesson today. Never played ANY instrument before. I'm very impressed with you, and very pleased with myself. Thank you. Can see a few late nights ahead...
glad you're here! Keep up the hard work!
You're not holding your pick correctly! Be consistent.
sorry :)
When strumming the A chord I was having trouble with excluding the low E string from the chord. Is muting the low E string with finger #1(index finger) an acceptable technique to not include it in the chord when strumming or is it better to concentrate on having a more controlled strum as to only include the necessary strings ?
its' really better to practice avoiding that string with your pick that to try and mute it. There are some instances where left hand finger muting is really a good idea. But in this case, make it your strumming hand's responsibility :)
Thanks Chris
Woot! Love your teaching technique--simple and easy to follow. "Ae" is actually a word (that's my Scrabble geek coming out), it means "one." Appropriate that A and E are the first chords to learn. Thanks so much.
I just recently bought a guitar and signed up for this site, And you seem to be the only teacher on this site that can actually learn me something. But the question is, you recommend doing only this or do you also recommend me learing some easy songs next to this, such as crazy train, tnt etc.? Keep doing the great work, love the lessons so far!
I am new and I like Chris style of teaching I am hooked so I will be working on my E and A majors chords until perfection before moving on to a new lesson.
My Fingers hurt, Lol but all in all I am developing strength, timing and understanding of the E and A major Chords, I am practicing at lease 3 to 4 hours a day in 1 hour segments.
I am new and I like Chris style of teaching I am hooked so I will be working on my E and A majors chords until perfection before moving on to a new lesson.
having both backing tracks with and with out guitar makes learning alot of fun . I cant stop myself from practing . it's been great . thanks a bunch . p.s your a good inetructer keep it up !
Great lesson Chris! Really enjoyed playing along with you and the backing track in scene7. What a hoot and made great progress.. really enjoying your series. Great instruction. Cheers, Dave
Hello Chris, any tips on transition from A to E? I can't find the right way to put my finger no 1 without muting strings... i 've been doing the lesson for the pass 5 days..i cant seem to get it right???
Hi Chris, do you have a special amp settings for your guitar in this video? My guitar doesn't sound like yours and it's a bit annoying. I think it's well tuned but still I cannot get the same sound.
I'm just plugged in to a straight clean amp with no effects if I remember right. On the treble setting on the Les Paul Studio, 11s for strings and all the knobs all the way up.
A quick question though f I can, when playing chords is it better to use a softer pick? At the moment I'm using quite a rigid pick and strumming up sounds messy. Should I acquire a softer pick if there is such a thing?
If I know I'm going to be playing a song that's primarily strumming, I'll go to a softer pick. When I'm playing a lot of leads/solos, I use a thicker (up to 1mm) pick but for strummed songs I'll use as soft as a .6mm. It's all about what you are comfortable with, but I find that I can be cleaner with a softer pick when strumming too.
Just joined jamplay yesterday and although i can play a little bit i have decided to go right back to the beginning and learn proper techniques. Thanks chris your teaching style is terrific and very easy to follow and understand.
How do you know when to move on to the next lesson? Do you wait until you can do the backtracks 100% correctly for a few days? Or do you move on whether you have mastered it or not?
On the upstoke do you hit all the strings. For example on the E chord you can hear the low E on the downstroke but on the upstroke I don't think I heard the low E. On the upstroke is it okay to play the first 3-4 strings? It seems easier to do.
Always try your best to only strum the notes in the chord , unless of course you are doing it for artistic reasons. It's good to build the control to do this so you can ignore it when you want. Which chord in specific are you talking about?
I think they refer to the E chord as the A doesn't include the E string on either up or down strokes. I think it depends what sound you want often the low strings ring out a bit louder and longer than higher ones (depending on your setup of course) so strumming them both up and down may be too much while only catching strings 1-4 or 1-5 on the upstroke can sound more balanced. other times you may want to really emphasise the baseline, especially during a chord change. So it depends what you want to play and what sound you'e looking for. That said it's probably best to practice both, then you have both techniques at your disposal.
The way I've been going forward is when I've felt comfortable with what the lesson has provided. You could have a week with one lesson and then move on but I feel over time and with practice you'll get the chords nailed anyway. Move on when you are ready is probably the best advise one beginner can give to another. Rock on.
I'm having a lot of fun with this. E to A is coming along nicely I feel. Another week or so and I should be ok with CAGED.
What a good idea to add back tracks as early as lesson 2! I am having fun playing even if I am a total beginner.
I'm just curious on how long on average it takes for everyone to master chord changes between the E and A? I've been playing every day for about 2 hours average for 5 days and I'm still not 100% on it. I'm making improvements everyday and I can see the muscle memory with the shape, but it feels like it's taking me longer than it should. I've been playing along with a 60 bpm off of you tube practicing the chord changes.
I think it takes everyone time to get it absolutely perfect. No matter how much you practice it still takes time to build muscle memory. It sounds to me like you are at a good pace. Just make sure to practice that change 5-10 minutes per day, and you should be OK to move on to something else, as long as the chords you haven't mastered stay on your daily practice routine.
yes good points. Also, one way to get past the "need to improve" stage is to start being creative with what you know and can do. So, even if your still working through the changes, write a chord progression, write a song, come up with a riff, and then, when creativity is the goal, you are not so focused on the mechanics. When you make this mind shift, sometimes the technique actually comes faster because your not thinking so hard about it, and you're having more fun!
This is so cool! Especially with the back tracks. I improvised a bit and can imagine how awesome it would to in a band!
good! keep at it!
A quick observation about the chord charts. Why are they created upside down from the actual string order? For a beginner it is a bit confusing.
I was confused by that initially as well. Think of the lowest line as the lowest string. That helped me look at them differently!
Just tried the backing track three or four times. Surprisingly, I did quite good, much better than with the metronome at the same beat. It seems that playing with a band gives you much more motivation.
yeah, me too. playing with a band or tracks gives meaning to playing. If you keep this up, you'll be way ahead of those who just jam by themselves all the time!
My son and I are using these lessons, the biggest problem is getting all three fingers on the second fret for the A chord....and my finger tips are killing me. We are not going to move on until we both can play with the backing track perfect. Then to the next chords.
keep at it! Way to stick to the discipline! Using your fingers 2 3 and 4 4 saves some room instead of using 1 2 and 3.
really liked the backing track really simple and easy to follow and sounds great. Good one for playing around with some lead :)
I´ve been paying these two with other fingering but it make sense playing them as you teach them. Thanks! now i have two different fingering for these. In the acoustic guitar I prefer how E sound wuith the other way.
The E chord you advise us to play with the 2,3 & 4 fingers and in the Chord Library it shows 1.2 & 3. It seems easier with the 1,2,3 fingers. Is this just preference or is there a specific reason why one way is better than the other?
I just watched your lesson further and you do address it. However the Chord Library should probably make mention of this since as a beginner changing fingers for the same chords is a bit confusing.
yeah, it is primarily preference. I think the point really is, that from the beginning, it is important to learn how to play chords with a variety of fingerings. You never know when you might need to finger a chord differently
Fantastic....!
I'm here on the 7 day free trial from Guitar Noise (thank you stumbleupon), and the amount of progress I have made in a short time (2-3 hours) has astounded me. I know what I'm buying next paycheck :P. Getting the wrist posture is a bit annoying, but I've made more progress in feeling I can actually play in these couple of hours than I ever did jamming in my room.
that is great news! I'm excited for you. Hope to see you around more! As you continue to track with things, feel free to ask questions!
I guess the backing tracks are not here, or I'm not looking in the right place. Can you comment on this, Chris, and let us know where they are please? Thanks, Joy
They will be here monday, we had a bit of an issue with the sup content for this lesson, but it's done on Mon :)
Great Lesson! Please post more!!!
Nice lesson. Can't find the backing tracks.
Thumbs up!! when will the backing track be posted??