Playing Basic Chords on Acoustic Guitar: C, G, D

Introduction

The guitar is a simple six stringed musical instrument that generates sounds of different pitches
when the strings are plucked or strummed. In music, certain pitches are called notes. Each
guitar string is tightened to a particular tension so that it vibrates at a certain frequency and
produces a certain pitch and/or note. When a guitar string is pressed against a fret along the
neck of the instrument, that string is essentially shortened and the note it generates when
plucked is higher. Playing multiple notes at the same time forms a chord. This instruction set
will teach you how to properly hold an acoustic guitar and a guitar pick and walk you through
how to play three different chords: C, G, D.

Before learning how to play these chords you must

first learn how the frets and strings are numbered for
reference during the lesson. Refer to Figure 1 for
clarity: Head

Frets. The frets are the narrow medal strips the lie
along the neck of the guitar. The 1st fret lies closest to
the head of the guitar, and all other frets are numbered
in sequence down the neck towards the body of the
guitar (The body is the large curved hollow section of
the guitar that is found opposite the head.) 1st fret

Strings. The strings are numbered 1 through 6. The 1st 6th string
string is the thinnest string and will run along the
bottom of the fret board when you hold the guitar
properly. (Holding the guitar will be discussed later in Neck 1st string
the instructions.) The strings are ordered numerically
so that the 2nd string lies just next to the 1st and so on
until you reach the thickest string which is number 6. Figure 1: Basic Parts of the Guitar

You are now ready to begin the instructions. To successfully play the basic guitar chords
outlined here, you will need an acoustic guitar, a chair, and a guitar pick, and two free
hands.
Holding the Guitar

1. Sit in a chair with your feet planted flat

on the ground.

2. Hold the guitar in front of you with the

guitar neck in your left hand and the
guitar body in your right hand and
with the strings facing away from you.

3. Lower the guitar toward your legs so

that the curve in the guitar body rests
on the upper portion your right thigh.

4. Place your left hand under the neck of

the guitar and your right hand over the
guitar body. See Figure 2 to make sure Figure 2: Correctly Holding the Guitar
you are holding the guitar correctly.

Holding the Pick

1. Hold the pick in your right hand

between your thumb and index finger.

2. Allow one side of the wide end of the

pick to rest on the third knuckle of your
index finger.

3. Place your thumb on top of the pick.

Figure 3 illustrates how to hold a pick
properly.
Figure 3: Properly Holding a Pick

Playing a C Chord

1. Holding the guitar properly, press your left index finger down on the 2nd string to the left
of the first fret and keep that finger in place.
 2. Press your left middle finger down
on the 4th string to the left of the
second fret and hold that finger in
place.

3. Press your ring finger down on the

5th string to the left of the third fret
and hold that finger in place.

4. Be sure to keep your wrist bent so

that only the tips of those fingers
touch the desired strings.

Figure 4 shows proper C chord

finger position. Figure 4: C Chord Finger Positions

5. Holding the pick properly in your right hand, glide the narrow end of the pick down over
the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings in that order.

Note: If you notice buzzing or if the chord does not ring out due to damping, reposition
your fingers and curl your wrist more. Apply solid pressure to the strings with the
fingers forming the chord. This solution can be applied all chords that you will learn in
this lesson and in the future.

6. Practice strumming the strings up and down and try to take your left hand off the strings
and properly place them again so that you get used to the finger positioning for a C
chord.

Playing a G Chord

1. Holding the guitar properly, press

your left index finger down on the
5th string to the left of the 2nd fret
and keep that finger in place.

2. Press your left middle finger down

on the 6th string to the left of the 3rd
fret and hold that finger in place.

3. Press your ring finger down on the

2nd string to the left of the 3rd fret
and hold that finger in place.

Figure 5: G Chord Finger Positions

 4. As with the C chord, be sure to keep your wrist bent so that only the tips of those fingers
touching the desired strings.

Figure 5 shows proper G chord finger positions.

5. Holding the pick properly in your right hand, glide the narrow end of the pick down over
the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings in that order.

6. Try removing your left hand from the strings and positioning your fingers properly again.
Practice strumming the string cleanly.

Playing a D Chord

1. Holding the guitar properly, press

your left index finger down on the
3rd string to the left of the 2nd fret
and keep that finger in place.

2. Press your left middle finger down

on the 1st string to the left of the
2nd fret and hold that finger in
place.

3. Press your ring finger down on the

2nd string to the left of the 3rd fret
and hold that finger in place.

4. As with the chord, be sure to keep Figure 6: D Chord Finger Positions

your wrist bent so that only the
tips of those fingers touching the desired strings.

Figure 6 shows proper D chord finger positions.

5. Holding the pick properly in your right hand, glide the narrow end of the pick down over
the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings in that order.

6. Try removing your left hand from the strings and positioning your fingers properly again.
Practice strumming the string cleanly.
Keep Practicing

You have now reached the end of this instruction set. You should now know how to hold a
guitar and guitar pick properly, as well as play three chords: C, G, and D. If you were unable to
play the chords cleanly the first time, do not be discouraged. Playing the guitar well takes a lot
of practice. Work through these instructions several times, and you will start to see
improvement. As you get more comfortable playing the chords described here, practice
transitioning from one chord to another. Once you have master transitioning between these
chords you will be ready to learn how to play songs that utilize these chords. To start, try
playing Blowing in the Wind by Bob Dylan. There are a number of videos on You Tube of this
song that will show you when to play each chord. Play along with the song so that you get used
to the timing. Be patient, as learning songs, just like learning chords, takes some time.
Consistent practice and patience is the key to learning how to playing the guitar like a
professional.