Learning your first guitar chords is one of the most important steps for a new guitarist. Beginners should start with a small group of common open chords because they are easier to play, appear in thousands of songs, and help develop essential skills like finger placement, strumming, and chord changes.

The best first guitar chords are usually E minor, A minor, C major, G major, D major, E major, and A major. Learning these chords in the right order gives beginners a strong foundation for playing simple songs and building more advanced skills.

What Are the First Guitar Chords You Should Learn?

The first chords you learn should meet three important requirements:

• They should be relatively comfortable for beginner fingers.
• They should appear frequently in popular songs.
• They should help you practice moving between different chord shapes.

Most beginners start with open chords, where some strings are played without pressing a fret. Open chords are practical because they create full sounds without requiring advanced techniques like barre chords.

Before learning many chord shapes, it helps to understand how chord diagrams work. A guitar chord diagram shows where your fingers should be placed on the fretboard.

The Best First Guitar Chords for Beginners

Chord	Difficulty	Why Learn It	Common Pairings
Em (E minor)	Very easy	Simple shape and common in songs	G, C, Am
Am (A minor)	Easy	Introduces minor chord sound	C, E, G
C (C major)	Moderate	Used in many beginner songs	G, Am, F
G (G major)	Moderate	Essential for many progressions	C, D, Em
D (D major)	Moderate	Common in pop and folk music	G, A, Em
E (E major)	Easy	Builds strong open chord foundation	A, D, B7
A (A major)	Easy	Important major chord shape	D, E, F#m

1. E Minor (Em)

E minor is often one of the first chords beginners learn because it uses only two fingers.

It is useful because:

• The shape is simple.
• It sounds full and musical.
• It appears in many beginner chord progressions.

Em is commonly combined with G, C, and D major.

A beginner who learns Em can quickly start practicing chord transitions without struggling with complicated finger movements.

2. A Minor (Am)

A minor introduces beginners to the sound of minor chords, which usually feel more emotional or darker than major chords.

Am is useful because it appears in many common progressions, including:

Am – C – G – F

It also helps prepare your fingers for other chord shapes because several minor chords use similar hand positions.

3. C Major (C)

C major is one of the most important first guitar chords.

Although it requires slightly more finger stretching than Em or Am, learning C major opens the door to many beginner songs.

C major is often paired with:

• G major
• A minor
• F major

Because C appears so often in music, learning this chord early gives beginners immediate practical value.

4. G Major (G)

G major is another essential beginner chord.

It requires some finger movement, but it is one of the most useful chords because it appears in many popular progressions.

Common combinations include:

• G – C – D
• G – Em – C
• G – D – Em

Practicing G major also improves your ability to stretch and control your fretting hand.

5. D Major (D)

D major has a bright and energetic sound.

It is common in:

• Pop songs
• Country music
• Folk music
• Rock songs

D major is often practiced with G and A because these chords naturally work well together.

6. E Major (E)

E major is a great beginner chord because the shape feels natural and produces a strong sound.

Learning E major helps beginners understand the relationship between major and minor chords because E major and E minor have similar shapes but different sounds.

You can explore more foundational chord shapes in the guide to basic guitar chords.

7. A Major (A)

A major is another common open chord that beginners should learn early.

It is useful for:

• Rock songs
• Blues progressions
• Pop music

Many beginners find A major easier after learning E major because the finger positioning feels familiar.

The Best Order to Learn Your First Guitar Chords

A practical learning order is:

Step 1: Start With Two-Finger Chords

Learn:

• Em
• Am

Focus on producing a clean sound from every string.

Step 2: Add Common Major Chords

Learn:

• C
• G
• D

These chords appear together in many beginner songs.

Step 3: Expand Your Chord Vocabulary

Add:

• E
• A

After learning these seven chords, many beginners can play a large number of simple songs.

For more beginner-friendly options, explore beginner guitar chords.

How to Practice Switching Between Chords

Knowing chord shapes is only the first step. The real skill is changing between chords smoothly.

Try this practice method:

1. Practice Two-Chord Changes

Choose two chords:

Example:

G → C

Switch slowly between them while keeping your fingers relaxed.

2. Use a Timer

Practice one-minute chord changes:

• Set a timer for 60 seconds.
• Switch between two chords.
• Count how many clean changes you can make.

3. Practice Slowly With a Metronome

Speed comes from accuracy.

Start slowly and increase the tempo only when:

• Your fingers reach the correct position.
• Strings ring clearly.
• You do not need to stop between changes.

Correct guitar chord finger positions will make chord changes easier over time.

Common Beginner Mistakes When Learning Chords

Pressing Too Hard

Many beginners press the strings harder than necessary. Use only enough pressure to create a clean note.

Looking Only at the Fretting Hand

Beginners often focus completely on finger placement and ignore rhythm. Chords should eventually be practiced with steady strumming.

Learning Too Many Chords at Once

Trying to memorize dozens of chords can slow progress. It is better to master a few useful chords first.

Ignoring Chord Sound Quality

A chord is not learned just because your fingers can form the shape. Each string should sound clear.

You can use a chord finder tool to explore and identify different chord shapes as you continue learning.

Simple First Guitar Chord Progressions to Practice

Once you know a few chords, practice these beginner progressions:

Progression 1

G – C – D

A classic progression used in many songs.

Progression 2

C – G – Am – F

One of the most common pop progressions.

Progression 3

Em – C – G – D

A beginner-friendly progression with a strong emotional sound.

These progressions help you practice both chord changes and rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What guitar chords should a beginner learn first?
Beginners should usually start with Em, Am, C, G, D, E, and A because these open chords are common and practical.

What are the first 3 chords to learn on guitar?
A good starting set is E minor, A minor, and C major because they are relatively comfortable and useful in many songs.

What is the easiest guitar chord?
E minor is often considered one of the easiest beginner chords because it requires only two fingers.

How many chords should a beginner learn first?
Learning five to seven essential open chords is usually enough to start playing many beginner songs.

How long does it take to learn first guitar chords?
The time varies by practice consistency and coordination. Many beginners can learn basic chord shapes within weeks, but smooth transitions require continued practice.

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