KeyofAaron

Simplified Basic Open Chords

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The diagrams below show you how to play most of the basic open chords in a simplified way that only uses three to four strings. These chord shapes are perfect for beginners, especially children, people with smaller hands and people who have trouble with flexibility in their fretting hand. Though, just because these diagrams are good starting points for the previously listed purposes, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful for those who are comfortable with the bigger versions of these chords. Guitar oriented bands from Led Zeppelin to Guns N’ Roses to The Strokes use simplified two, three or four string versions of chords from time to time in order to fit their parts into songs while maybe letting an instrument of the same frequency as the guitar be more present.

 

If you’re a beginner, go through these chords one by one in the order that it’s listed. A good way to practice these chords if not with songs is to first practice switching between any two chords you’re comfortable with strumming once each, then try playing each chord four times, switching and playing the next chord four times. Try this with different chord combinations and speeds!