Thread: Playing Chords
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Old December 9th, 2005
Neilsonite Neilsonite is offline
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Playing guitar for over 10 years.
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Last Online: April 10th, 2008 05:59 AM
Location: Australia
Posts: 111

Open Chords

OK, the attached sheet contains the basic open chords I think you need to know, and their most common fingerings. There are other ways of playing these chords, but in my experience these ones are the most useful.

The most important thing is how you practice these chords - BE CONSISTENT. Imagine if you changed your name every time you wrote it down. Would your signature be fast and easy to write? Obviously not... So, if you hold each chord the same way every time, you'll learn it faster, right? Right!

So, how do you hold the chords? Lowest (thickest) string to highest (thinnest) string

What does that mean? Go check out the sheet, and look at an E chord. You would put your fingers down in this order: 2nd (middle) finger, 3rd (ring) finger, 1st (index) finger.

You should memorize which finger each chord starts with, it will make things much faster and easier. For example, C and F start with your 3rd (ring) finger, G starts with your 2nd (middle) finger.

Some exercises for practicing are on the sheet. Try them every day for a week or two (with proper practicing), and you will be a gun on your open chords, able to handle any song using those chords.

Have fun,
James
Attached Images
File Type: pdf Open_Chords.pdf (75.2 KB, 3506 views)