Beginner Guitar Chords Using Only Three Strings
Learning guitar chords can be intimidating for a beginner. That’s why in today’s post I want to show you three different 3 string guitar chords. Two of these chords are what we could call half of the full major 6 string chord and are an easy way to get started with strumming multiple strings and switching between chords.
Take your time when learning the D7 chord, the shape can be difficult to make at first on the fret board, but with time it will become easier. A quick mention of the tablature I’ve used to explain the chords below. X’s stand for strings that are not to be strummed, numbers represent the fret number to play on a particular string and 0′s stand for strings to be played open without any frets being pressed.
Beginner C Chord
E — 0 —
B — 1 —
G — 0 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
To play this beginner chord place your first finger on the first fret of the B string, remember to use your finger tip, and strum the bottom three strings.
Beginner G Chord
E — 3 —
B — 0 —
G — 0 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
To play this chord, like the C chord, you only need to use one finger. Press the third fret of the E string down with your 3rd finger and strum the bottom 3 strings.
Beginner D7 Chord
E — 1 —
B — 2 —
G — 1 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
This chord requires you to use three fingers at once, so give it some time to feel right and don’t be frustrated if it doesn’t sound exactly right the first time. Place your second finger on the 1st fret of the E string, your third finger on the 2nd fret of the B string and your first finger on the 1st fret of the G string.
This is the intro to playing chords. Starting playing the chords one at a time before you try switching between them. Switching chord while continuing to strum takes some practice and you’ll get there but don’t try to rush yourself to quickly.
Below is a video that goes over these three chords again and also explains the best method to practice them.
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In my opinion, nothing can replace private instruction, but it’s great to have so many videos online to help learn the guitar.
One day I was staying at home and thinking about the chord definition. So, after some time the right thing came into my mind.
1. When you play a single note – it’s a note.
2. When you play two notes – it’s an interval.
3. But when you play three or more notes – it’s a chord!
Thank you for a nice lesson.
That beginner C chord is something I would never have thought to play, but yea, I guess it still constitutes as a chord. Way to blow my mind! haha
Always nice to have videos to teach us:)
Yeah videos are good but nothing beats private tuition. They are helpful though and you need all the help you can get.
Great lesson. For anyone reading this, did you know that there are thousands of songs you can play just be learning 3 simple guitar chords! Get stuck into it, you will be cranking out some great tunes in no time.
3 chords is all you need to get started cranking out some killer tunes. Get into it.
Thank you for providing the videos. Many students are visual learners and learn better with a video, as opposed to a book.
I agree. It does take 3 simple chords to get started playing the guitar.
Thank you so much for setting this video up for us. It is great. There are so many other great videos on YouTube and wish more would come up. So much info online for free for the newbies.
Tal
Wow, that’s an easy 3 chords guitar lesson to begin with. I’m going through a major learning curve, hope I keep up with patience and passion. Thanks for the good lesson.
Good job with the video!
I think people sometimes forget that a 3 note chord is perfectly acceptable, depending on the application. Just look at the work of Freddie Green (I talk about “Sparse Chords” on my site). Then in Rock and metal we have double stops and power chords too.
Wow! This is a great video! I love the concept. People have what I call “instant gratification syndrome” and just want to play right away. This is a great way to get them started. I might use this technique with a few of my new students in the future. Great Post!
what i dont understand is why when playing the D7 the instructions above say to playing the 1st fret of the G and E and the 2nd fret of B, but the video says play the 1st fret of B and 2nd fret of G and E. so which one is right?
I’ve just started off learning to play the guitar, does anyone currently have any tips for how you can advance?
Nice lesson, thank you. I spotted one error – the D7 chord is incorrectly notated and should be:
D7
E — 2 —
B — 1 —
G — 2 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
The chord written on the site:
E — 2 —
B — 1 —
G — 2 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
is actually a C# major chord (triad). Just correcting so you won’t get that wrong
I meant
E — 1 —
B — 2 —
G — 1 —
D — X —
A — X —
E — X —
for the C#, perhaps the moderator can correct this? Thanks, John