subject: Beginner Guitar Lessons: How To Read Chord Charts [print this page] There are some dreams in life that may never come true, but for each dream that goes unrealized there are several that can be achieved with just a little bit of effort. Every day more and more people are realizing their dreams of learning to play the guitar. Thanks to the availability of a variety and the huge number of resources on the internet, learning how to play the guitar is easier than ever before. From free online beginner guitar lessons to downloadable guitar tablatures, all of the tools and resources a beginning guitarist could ever need are available on the internet. One of the most valuable tools available to aspiring guitarist is downloadable guitar chord charts. For many aspiring guitarists, playing chords is one of the most difficult skills to master - despite all the beginner guitar lessons and practice sessions; some people just cannot manage to learn how to play chords. Chord charts are a great resource for guitarists because they provide a visual depiction of the chord in terms of which frets to play on which strings. This format makes it easy for guitarists to imitate the chord positions.
Some guitar lessons for beginners may include a lesson on how to read chord charts, but even if your lessons do not you can learn easily by finding a resource online. A chord chart looks like a square filled with grid lines and usually there is a letter printed above the box. This letter, sometimes a letter and a number or two letters, indicates which chord is depicted by the chart. There are five columns within the grid and each vertical dividing line represents one of the six strings of the guitar. Filled-in circles will be printed on various vertical lines, positioned between the horizontal lines - these indicate which frets should be played. Some chord charts may also have open circles positioned above the grid - these indicate that an open string should be played. While it takes time and practice to learn how to play chords, online resources like free guitar lessons and chord charts make it easier for aspiring guitarists to develop their skills. Try out a few different options to discover which works best for you. If you discover that simply practicing your chords is not working for you, you may need to seek additional instruction from a qualified professional or by enrolling in a guitar class.
