Your First 3 Guitar Chords to Start Playing Today

If you want to start playing real music on day one, these are the three chords you should learn first. I take some time to help you get started with the 3 chords that you'll never stop playing.

Why These Chords?

When you’re just starting out, the fastest way to make progress is to learn chords you can actually use in songs. That’s why this lesson covers:

G major
C major
D major

These three chords show up in thousands of songs. Mastering them will give you an instant connection to music you recognize — and they’re all you need to start strumming today.

Chord 1: G Major

Finger Positions:

1st finger → 2nd fret of the A string
2nd finger → 3rd fret of the low E string
3rd finger → 3rd fret of the high E string
Let D, G, and B strings ring open

Tips for Clean Sound:

Make sure fingers are coming straight down — not laying flat
Keep your thumb behind the second fret, slightly offset toward the top
Play each string one at a time to check for buzzing or muted notes

Chord 2: C Major

Finger Positions:

1st finger → 1st fret of the B string
2nd finger → 2nd fret of the D string
3rd finger → 3rd fret of the A string
Let G and high E strings ring open
Do not play the low E string

Pro Tip:
Apply enough pressure even if your finger is a little back from the fret. Be sure the high E string rings clearly — it’s easy to mute accidentally.

Chord 3: D Major

Finger Positions:

1st finger → 2nd fret of the G string
2nd finger → 2nd fret of the high E string
3rd finger → 3rd fret of the B string
Let the D string ring open
Do not play the A and low E strings

Reminder:
Though these strings are physically lower, they’re called "higher" because they sound higher in pitch.

How to Transition Between Chords

One of the biggest early struggles isn’t playing the chords — it’s switching between them smoothly. Here’s how to practice it.

G to C

Focus on your 1st finger as the “anchor”
Move it from A string (2nd fret) to B string (1st fret)
The rest of your hand will follow naturally into position

C to D

Let your 2nd finger lead this change
Slide it over from the D string (2nd fret) to the high E string (2nd fret)
The rest of your hand will fall into place for the D chord

D to G

Again, use the 2nd finger as your guide
Move it across to the low E string (3rd fret)
This sets up your hand for the G chord position efficiently

Your Practice Mission

Spend 5 focused minutes today doing the following:

Practice the G chord until it’s clean
Switch back and forth between G and C
Then C to D
Then D to G

You can even practice the transitions without strumming — just get your fingers used to the shapes and motion. Slow is fine. Smooth is the goal.

Once you can move between these three chords, you’ll be able to play a huge number of beginner songs.

Want a Full Beginner Roadmap?

If you’re just getting started and want a clear, simple plan — from holding the guitar to strumming your first song — grab my free email course:

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Starting Guitar
It includes a printable chord cheat sheet and step-by-step video lessons to help you skip the frustration and start playing with confidence.

Questions or Stuck on Something?

Drop your questions in the comments — or, if you're a member of Play Guitar Academy, log in to access full lesson resources, tab sheets, and backing tracks for this video.

Thanks for watching — and I’ll see you in the next lesson.

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