How to Play Electric Guitar Chords

How to play electric guitar chords.

Now to the fun part, playing chords on your electric guitar. Personally, when I began learning to play the guitar, there was no better feeling than being able to play a few chords. For a few months I only knew three major chords, G, C, and D and I would play almost any song using these three, especially country songs. It actually sounded really good to me and gave me the motivation I needed to continue with the guitar. In fact there are many songs which make use of only three major chords. These are the most important chords and are also the easiest to play on the guitar.

So just the same way I started with G, C, and D, in this lesson on how to play electric guitar chords, I will teach you these three major chords. You will learn what fingers to place where. Remember that your index finger is the first finger, middle finger is your second finger, ring finger is referred to as the third finger and your pinky finger (little finger) is the fourth.

How to play electric guitar chords - the G chord

This chord requires that you put your finger on three strings. First of all, put your second finger on the third fret of the sixth string (low E string). Then put your first finger on the second fret of the fifth string. Finally, put your third finger (or if it's more comfortable, your pinky finger) on the third fret of the first string (high E string).

Your fingers should be curled and should only touch these three strings. If they are touching any of the other strings, the chord will not sound clean. Also, you must apply enough pressure on the three strings mentioned above for the notes to sound right. Play all six strings one at a time to ensure that they are playing clearly. If they are not sounding right it means that you are not applying enough pressure or your fingers are resting on the other strings.

When you're just starting out you may not get this right at once. But it only takes a little more practice.

How to play electric guitar chords - the C chord

And now we move on to another easy major chord, the C chord. Put your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string, then put your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Lastly put your first finger on the first fret of the second string. With this chord you can play strings one through five, but not the sixth string.

How to play electric guitar chords - the D chord

The final chord we shall look at for the purpose of this lesson is the D chord. It is probably a little more difficult than C and G when you are starting out, but with a little practice you will realize that it is really not that difficult at all.

Your first finger should be placed on the second fret of the third string. Your third finger should be placed on the third fret of the second string. And finally, your second finger should be placed on the second fret of the first string. As you will see, with this chord your fingers are closer together. For the D chord, only strings one to four must be strummed.

Keep practicing these chords until you get them to sound clean.

Another thing which is very important is the amount of time you take to change from one chord to another. Go from G to C, C to D, D to C, C to G, D to G and so on, and try to develop your speed.

Click here to check out an excellent resource on learning how to play electric guitars.

Further Reading: