Learn Guitar Chords
The C Chords

C Major

When I was starting to learn guitar chords, C major was probably the first chord I learned. It’s super easy to play in the open position. It's got a real natural feel... So let’s start there.

Start with your index finger and press down on the B string (second) at the first fret. Your middle finger goes on the D string at the second fret. Finally, on the A string (fifth), press your ring finger at the third fret. That’s the C major.

Moving up the neck to the next C, this bar chord is exactly like the B major chord. The only difference is you move your fingers up one half step, or one fret. So, you’re barring the third fret with your index finger across the first through fifth strings (A through e), and barring the second, third and fourth strings (B, G and D) with your ring finger at the fifth fret.

You can also do a C chord at the eighth fret, again the same fingering as the B chord barred at the seventh fret. Move your fingers up the neck towards the guitar body one half step (one fret). Are you starting to see a pattern to learn guitar chords here?

Wait a second... What do you mean you don't remember what the B chord looks like at the seventh fret? We just went over it! OK, alright, I’ll go over it one more time, just for you, but in the C position.

OK, you’re going to bar all six strings at the eighth fret with your index finger. Press your middle finger on the third string (G string) at the ninth fret. Press your ring finger on the fifth string (A string) and pinky on the fourth string (D string), both at the tenth fret.

Cm – C Minor

The easiest C minor chord to play is the barred version at the third fret. Just like the Bm chord, use the same fingering and move up one fret to the third.

So, the index finger goes all the way across strings 1 through 5 at the third fret. Muffle the low E (first string) with your thumb. Press your middle finger to the second string (B) at the third fret. Your ring finger goes on the fourth string (D) and pinky on the third string (G), both at the fourth fret.

As you learn guitar chords, you’ll find the same fingering all the way up the neck for various chords. The second barred Cm is at the eighth fret. Again, same fingering as the Bm, just up one fret from the seventh to the eighth.

Barre all six strings with your index finger at the eighth fret. The ring and pinky fingers will be on the tenth fret on strings 5 and 4 (A and D).

See how easy it gets to master the major rock chords? Just learn two basic finger positions for the barre chords, and you’ve got all the major and minor chords. With a little practice and some heavy distortion, your power chords will sound amazing! Righteous!!!

Time to learn guitar chords in the fingering of D...

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