With just a few chords you can already accompany loads of songs. Start with shapes that need only two or three fingers. Speed doesn’t matter yet – what counts is that every string rings clearly.
The easiest start: E minor
Em needs just two fingers: middle finger on the A string and ring finger on the D string, both at the 2nd fret. Then strum all six strings. Sounds a bit mysterious, doesn’t it?
EmYour first change: Em to Am
For Am, the same two fingers simply slide one string over (towards the floor): middle finger on the D string, ring finger on the G string, both at the 2nd fret. Add your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret. Don’t strum the low E string.
AmC, G and D
With C, G and D you have the chords for countless songs. At first, small versions are perfectly fine:
- Mini C: just your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret, and strum only the three thinnest strings.
- Mini G: just your ring finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret, again only the three thinnest strings.
- D uses three fingers on the three thinnest strings; strum from the D string down.
Later you’ll add the full C and G shapes. A good first two-chord song is Hänschen klein; with Am, try Am Lagerfeuer. More ideas: easy songs for beginners.
All chords