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Chords 101
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By Pete Madsen
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Everything you wanted to know about chords and strums (but were afraid to ask)
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  Tune up
So you have decided to play guitar, eh? An excellent choice! Whether your tastes run from classical to rock, jazz, or folk, the guitar can provide the inspiration to create wonderful music. In this lesson, we will focus on first-position chords, which are made by lacing your fingers in various positions on the first three frets. These chords provide a big, open sound and are used constantly by both novice and experienced players. Once you learn just three of them, you’ll be able to play a song. With double that number under your belt (we’ll actually learn nine chords in this lesson), most of the world’s pop, alternative, rock, and folk tunes will be at your beck and call.
A Note on Notation
To begin with, let’s get some names and numbers straight. The fingers on your left hand will be referred to as index (first), middle (second), ring (third), and pinky (fourth). Now for the guitar strings: the E (sixth) string is the lowest- (or deepest-) sounding string. It’s also the thickest string and the one closest to you as you hold the guitar in your lap. The strings below that (heading toward the floor and getting progressively thinner) are the A (fifth) string, D (fourth), G (third), B (second), and E (first). The letter refers to the note sounded by the open string (played with no left-hand fingers touching the string), while the numbers are an easy tool for talking about which string to use. Last but not least, consider the frets: those thin, raised metal bars embedded in your fretboard. They are numbered from the nut to the bridge, or more simply, from left to right as you look down at your guitar. Got all that? OK, now we can move on to the chords.
Your First Chord—G
The G chord has a rich, full sound, thanks to its combination of fretted strings (played with the left-hand fingers pressing on the fretboard) and open strings (played with no left-hand fingers touching them). Start by putting your index finger on the fifth string at the second fret. (At the fret actually means just behind the fret—to the left of it as you look down.) For the best tone, place your finger as close to the back of the fret as possible. Next, place your middle finger on the low E (sixth) string at the third fret. Now you have a choice to make; you can use either your ring finger or your pinky on the high E (sixth) string at the third fret. Try both and see which one is most comfortable.
G Chord
Now it’s time to strum that puppy! Using a pick or the back of your index finger, start a strum with a downstroke: start at the low E (sixth) string and work your way down through the high E (first) string. How does it sound? Great? Not so great? If it sounds great, then wonderful! You have now strummed your first chord.
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