subject: How To Play Guitar Chords [print this page] Many aspiring guitarists rush to play guitar chords. The reality is that you have to learn about the structure of the instrument and the role of the strings and frets first. It is essential for the instrument to be tuned as well before you get started. You must know how to hold the instrument properly as well. Now you are ready to learn how to play chords one step at a time.
What are guitar chords? These are collections of tones that are sounded together at the same time. In order to produce these tones and to play a chord, you need to press on separate frets with your fingers simultaneously and then play the set strings with your other hand.
The task seems difficult and it is actually not that easy. It is essential for you to position your hands and your fingers correctly. Someone must show you how to do it or you must see it as part of a video lesson. The position of the fingers and their precise movement cannot be described. You have to watch and learn.
Play the CAGED guitar chords first. These are the major ones that you should learn how to play. From then on, you will be building on your skills. Learning how to play the chords in this order is a good idea since they get from the easiest to the most difficult. You can readily start with C Major and end with D Major, which requires a very specific position of the fingers.
Use diagrams to learn how to play guitar chords more easily. It is essential that you see how others play the chords. However, it is equally important for you to learn and memorize what frets to press and which strings to play to produce each chord. The diagrams show the frets and strings as straight lines forming squares. The colored dots show you where you need to press with your fingers and the empty ones show you which strings you need to play. Learn how to use the diagrams and take as great advantage of them as possible during the learning process.
Always analyze how you play guitar chords when you practice. The notes must sound clearly without any muffle or a buzz. If they do not, then you have to find where you have got things wrong. Are you pressing the frets too hard or too lightly? Are your fingers touching the strings which you need to play? Ask these questions to fix things timely and get on the right track.
