Guitar Chords for Beginners: First Steps & Easy Songs

You’ve just picked up a guitar for the first time, and the first question is always the same: which chords do you actually need to learn? It’s a fair one, because the right starting point can mean the difference between playing your first song in a week or getting tangled in a tricky barre chord. This guide takes you from your very first grip—no matter how stiff your fingers feel—straight into real songs you can play with just a few easy shapes.

Essential beginner chords: 8 · Songs with 2-3 chords: 40+ · Most common basic chords: 5 · Core beginner chord progression: G-C-D · Guitarists adapting to arthritis: Keith Richards, others

Five facts define the beginner chord landscape, and the pattern is clear: start simple, expand fast.

What guitar chords should a beginner learn first?

If you’re just starting out, focus on open chords that use only a few fingers and don’t require barring. According to JustinGuitar (online guitar teacher), there are eight essential grips every beginner should practice. Here are the most important ones.

The D chord

• Uses three fingers placed on the second and third frets of the top three strings. Part of the eight-grip starter set from JustinGuitar (online guitar teacher).

The A chord

• Three fingers cramped into a single fret—tricky at first but essential. JustinGuitar (online guitar teacher) places it in Module 2’s three-chord song set along with D and E.

The E chord

• One of the easiest open chords: just three strings pressed with a comfortable hand shape. Found in JustinGuitar’s song library (beginner guitar lessons) for Module 2.

The Am chord

• Like E minor but with the middle finger added. A frequent companion to C and G in beginner songs. Recommended by Yousician (music learning app) as a staple open chord.

The E minor chord

• Only two fingers needed—index on the A string and middle on the D string. An easier alternative to full E major for players with stiff fingers, as noted by Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog).

The D minor chord

• A three-finger chord that introduces the concept of barring with the index finger—challenging but rewarding. Part of the eight essential grips from JustinGuitar (online guitar teacher).

What are the 5 most basic guitar chords?

Guitar teachers agree on a core set of five chords that unlock the majority of popular songs. Yousician (music learning app) lists A, C, D, E, and G as the most useful for beginners, while JustinGuitar (online guitar teacher) builds his early lessons around A, D, and E. Together they cover the most common keys.

G major

• Three-finger chord (index on A string 2nd fret, middle on low E 3rd fret, ring on high E 3rd fret). A simpler G6 shape can substitute for stiff fingers, per Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog).

C major

• Uses three fingers in an arch shape. Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog) suggests Cadd9 as a more relaxed alternative for players with arthritis.

D major

• Already covered—three fingers on the top three strings. For less strain, try D5 or Dsus2, recommended by Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog).

A major

• Three fingers in a tight cluster. Alternatives include A7 or Asus2, which require fewer fingers, from Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog).

E major

• The open E chord is often the first one new players learn—only three strings pressed. Yousician (music learning app) includes it in all its beginner song lessons.

What are the best three chords to learn on a guitar?

The G-C-D progression is the holy trinity of beginner guitar. According to Yousician (music learning app), these three chords form the backbone of rock, folk, and country. Here’s how to play each one.

How to play G chord

• Place your middle finger on the low E string 3rd fret, index on the A string 2nd fret, and ring on the high E string 3rd fret. Strum all six strings. Use G6 if full G is too wide (per Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog)).

How to play C chord

• Index on B string 1st fret, middle on D string 2nd fret, ring on A string 3rd fret. Strum from the A string down. Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog) recommends Cadd9 for a more comfortable hand position.

How to play D chord

• Index on G string 2nd fret, middle on high E string 2nd fret, ring on B string 3rd fret. Strum from the D string only. D5 or Dsus2 can ease the stretch (per Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog)).

Songs using G-C-D progression

• Countless hits use G-C-D: “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” GuitarLessons.nyc (online lesson platform) has a dedicated list of 13 three-chord songs, and JustinGuitar (beginner guitar lessons) offers a separate set with A, D, E. All use these same open chord shapes.

What is the easiest song to learn on guitar with chords?

The best first song uses chords you already know—ideally two or three of them. Yousician (music learning app) suggests starting with songs that repeat the same progression, allowing you to focus on transitions.

Songs with just 2 chords

• Examples: “Horse With No Name” (America) uses Em and D6add9 (often simplified to E minor and D). “Born in the U.S.A.” (Springsteen) is B and E. Yousician (music learning app) lists several two-chord songs in its beginner curriculum.

Songs with just 3 chords

• “Twist and Shout” (Isley Brothers / Beatles) uses D, G, A. “Bad Moon Rising” (Creedence) uses D, A, G. GuitarLessons.nyc (online lesson platform) provides 13 three-chord songs, while JustinGuitar (beginner guitar lessons) has a separate set with A, D, E.

Using G-C-D for popular tunes

• With just G, C, and D you can play “Let It Be” (Beatles), “Wagon Wheel” (Darius Rucker), and “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison). Yousician (music learning app) recommends breaking each song into sections: learn the chord progression first, then the strumming pattern.

Can a chord presser help with arthritis?

Arthritis doesn’t have to end your guitar journey. Devices called chord pressers attach to the guitar neck and let you fret notes with a button press instead of finger strength. ChordBuddy (guitar learning system) is one such product, marketed specifically to beginners and players with hand pain.

What is a guitar chord presser?

• A plastic or metal frame that sits over the fretboard with spring-loaded buttons corresponding to chord shapes. ChordBuddy (guitar learning system) uses color-coded tabs to guide pressing the correct buttons.

Benefits for arthritis sufferers

• Reduces the need for finger dexterity and pressure. ChordBuddy (guitar learning system) claims its system allows players to focus on strumming and rhythm while the device handles fretting. Additionally, Good Guitarist (beginner guitar blog) recommends warming hands under warm water and doing gentle open-and-close exercises before playing.

Limitations and practice tips

• Chord pressers limit you to pre-set chord shapes—you can’t play barre chords or melodies with them. A teacher in an arthritis-focused YouTube lesson (tips for older learners) suggests starting with one-finger versions of chords and gradually adding fingers. For serious arthritis, consulting a hand therapist before purchasing any device is wise.

Quotes from the community

“I’ve got arthritis in my hands—I can’t do some of the stuff I used to do. You have to adapt.”

— Keith Richards, guitarist (The Rolling Stones), speaking about his playing changes due to arthritis

“The key is to start with just one chord. Get that shape comfortable, then add another. Don’t rush.”

— Justin Sandercoe, founder of JustinGuitar, in his beginner course structure

“Open chords like G, C, and D are the foundation of so many songs. Learning them well opens up your entire guitar journey.”

— Fender Editorial Team, guitar manufacturer article on beginner chords

Summary

Learning guitar chords as a beginner doesn’t require memorizing a hundred shapes—just start with the six open chords from JustinGuitar’s set, then add the five basic majors (G, C, D, A, E) that appear in every songbook. The G-C-D progression alone gives you access to dozens of radio hits. If arthritis is a concern, chord pressers and simplified fingerings from Good Guitarist can keep you playing comfortably. For the new guitarist, the choice is clear: master these eight grips in the first month, or waste time on obscure shapes that delay your first sing-along.

Related reading: 20 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners · Simple Guitar Chords for Stiff Fingers

Once you have mastered these eight chords, you can practice them with a beginner-friendly song like Stand By Me to build confidence and muscle memory.

Frequently asked questions