← Guitar · Chords · about 20 min
Your first chords: Em and Am
Two easy shapes that sound like real music right away.
What is a chord?
A chord is several notes played at the same time. On guitar, you press some strings and strum them all together.
Chord diagrams are maps of the fretboard. Strings are the vertical lines. Frets are the horizontal lines. A dot shows where to press, and the number inside shows which finger.
Em and Am
Start with Em. It only needs two fingers. Then try Am.
Two fingers. Ring all six strings.
Three fingers. Skip the thickest string.
Dots are where to press. Numbers are fingers (1 = index). ○ = open string, × = don't play it.
An “×” above a string means don't play it. An open circle means the string rings open.
Practice
Shape first
Place your fingers and look at them. Do they match the diagram?
Strum slowly
Strum down across the strings, one at a time first, to make sure each rings clearly. Fix any buzzing.
Switch back and forth
Em, then Am, then Em. Take your time. Count four slow strums on each chord, then switch.