Guitar Chords for Beginners: 5 Basic Chords to Start Playing

Anyone who has picked up a guitar and tried to play a song knows the first wall: the chord. The good news is that most beginner methods converge on a compact kit of eight open chords — a core set that FaChords’ beginner chord library uses as its starting point.

Beginner chord set: 8 open chords ·
First sequence suggested: Em → C → G → D ·
Barre chords: introduced after open shapes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

• A common beginner kit includes 8 open chords: Em, E, Am, A, Dm, D, G, C (FaChords)

2What’s unclear

• The “four chords = every hit” idea is a broad editorial estimate, not a precise measurement (CMUSE)

3Timeline signal

• Open-position chords are played near the nut, making them a natural entry point (FretJam guitar lessons)

4What’s next

• Barre chords usually come after the open shapes feel comfortable (Paddy Studio)

Six facts, one pattern: the fastest route in is a small set of open chord shapes, each with a clear finger map.

Fact	Detail	Source
Beginner chord kit	8 open chords: Em, E, Am, A, Dm, D, G, C	FaChords chord library
Open-chord principle	Uses one or more unfretted strings, played near the nut	FretJam guitar lessons
Suggested early sequence	Em → C → G → D	CMUSE chord resources
Common D major shape	2nd fret G, 3rd fret B, 2nd fret high E; skip low E and A	Gauravism chord reference
Common E major shape	1st fret G, 2nd fret A and D	Gauravism chord reference
Common E minor shape	2nd fret A and D, rest open	Gauravism chord reference

What are the 5 basic guitar chords?

There is no universal list, but the most common teaching path lands on G, C, D, A, E as the core major chords, then adds E minor, A minor, and D minor for a rounded beginner set. The chord-chart resources we used consistently include those eight shapes.

Open chords: G, C, D, A, E

• G major — an open chord with all six strings available for strumming.
• C major — uses the third fret A string, second fret D string, and first fret B string (FaChords).
• D major — fretted on G, B, and high E strings, with the low E and A strings skipped (Gauravism chord reference).
• A major — a compact bundle on the D, G, and B strings.
• E major — a full six-string shape with the first-fret G and second-fret A/D (Gauravism chord reference).

Alternative basic sets (8 chords)

• A common beginner collection adds the three minors: Em, Am, Dm.
• That brings the total to eight — Em, E, Am, A, Dm, D, G, C — the set FaChords’ guitar chord library highlights.

The implication: the five-chord entry point is not a rule, it’s a convenience. Learn the eight open shapes and you have a foundation that carries into hundreds of song charts.

What are the four golden chords?

The “golden chords” label is informal. It usually points to a four-chord loop that underpins a large number of pop hits. In many lesson plans, that loop is C, G, A minor, and F — musical shorthand for I–V–vi–IV.

The I-V-vi-IV progression

• The theory: I–V–vi–IV means the first, fifth, sixth, and fourth chords of a major scale.
• The common shapes: C major, G major, A minor, and F major are the standard open-position version.
• The caveat: the “four chords = every hit” idea is a helpful simplification, not a musical law (CMUSE).

Songs that use the golden chords

• “Let It Be” by The Beatles uses a four-chord loop in its chorus.
• Other well-known candidates include “With or Without You” by U2 and “Someone Like You” by Adele.
• Some chord-chart resources describe G–C–D–Em as another useful four-chord group for popular songs (Paddy Studio).

The pattern: the four-chord loop works because it gives the ear a familiar gravitational pull. Learn the shapes first, and the theory becomes obvious later.

Which is the easiest guitar chord?

If there were an official answer, it would be E minor. It needs only two fretted strings, and the rest of the strings ring open.

E minor (Em)

• E minor uses the second fret of the A and D strings; the other strings ring open.
• That makes it the least demanding early shape for a new fretting hand (CMUSE).

A minor (Am) and other easy shapes

• A minor uses a compact open-position cluster near the first two frets.
• D minor is another beginner-friendly shape that appears in early song lists.
• E major and A major are close behind, since their stretches stay inside the first two frets.

The trade-off: E minor is easy to play, but it doesn’t sound as “finished” as a major chord. That’s why teachers pair it with G and C almost immediately.

What is the hardest chord to learn?

For most beginners, the first barre chord is the wall. The usual suspect is F major, because it asks one finger to press all six strings at the first fret.

F major barre chord

• F major requires a barre across all six strings at the first fret.
• It also needs the other fingers to form an E-major shape one fret higher.
• This combination of strength and coordination is why it feels impossible at first.

Barre chords in general

• Any chord that uses a barre is harder than an open chord because the fretting hand has to press multiple strings at once.
• Beginner guides typically delay barre chords until the open-position shapes feel comfortable (Paddy Studio).

Why this matters: if you skip barre chords forever, you’ll still play thousands of songs. You just won’t be able to move the same shape up the neck.

How can I teach myself guitar?

You don’t need a teacher to get started, but you do need a routine. The self-taught route works when it’s built around small, specific goals and immediate feedback.

A simple self-teaching loop

1. Learn one chord shape a day — start with Em, then C, G, D next.
2. Do a two-minute chord-change drill — set a timer and switch between Em and C slowly.
3. Play a real song — choose a three-chord tune and strum it once a day.
4. Use your phone’s tuner — a clean-sounding chord is the goal, not speed.
5. Add one new chord per week — after a month you’ll have the eight-chord beginner set.

Using chord apps and tabs

• Chord charts are easier to read than tabs for chord-focused practice; they show the strings vertically and the frets horizontally.
• An online chord chart reference can show you where to put each finger at a glance.
• Record yourself on your phone and compare the sound to the original song’s backing track.

The habit that separates self-taught players from quitters is consistency: ten minutes every day beats an hour every Sunday.

What’s confirmed and what’s still fuzzy

Confirmed facts

• Open-position chords are the conventional starting point for beginners. (FretJam guitar lessons)
• E minor is the simplest common chord to play cleanly. (CMUSE chord resources)
• Barre chords are introduced after basic open shapes. (Paddy Studio guitar resources)

What’s unclear

• The exact “easiest chord” can change depending on hand size, finger strength, and the guitar’s string action.
• The “four chords can play any song” claim is a broad editorial estimate, not a precise measurement. (CMUSE chord resources)
• The “hardest chord” is subjective — some players struggle with F barre, others with B minor or quick chord changes.
• A core set of eight open chords appears across multiple teaching resources, but individual curricula vary.

The pattern: the facts are stable, but the experience is personal. Use the confirmed list as your road map and the unclear list as permission to adapt.

Quotes from the lesson guides

“These are the chords that every guitarist should know first.” Justin Guitar

“Open-position chords use one or more unfretted strings and are generally played near the nut, making them a common starting point for beginners.” FretJam

“Some chord-chart resources describe G, C, D, and E minor as a particularly useful four-chord group for popular songs.” Paddy Studio

The through-line: each guide points you back to the same small set of open chords. The differences are mostly sequencing and song choice.

What this means for beginners

The beginner guitar path is not a mountain of hundreds of chords; it’s a small staircase of eight open shapes. Start with Em and C, add G and D, then fold in the minors. For the beginner who sticks with ten minutes a day, the practical outcome is clear: you’ll be playing actual songs within a few weeks — or you’ll be ready to quit, which is also information. The guitar will show you which one you are.

Frequently asked questions

What is a famous 3 chord song?

“Twist and Shout” by The Beatles is a well-known three-chord song. Bo Diddley’s “Bo Diddley” and “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen are also classic examples.

What is the easiest song to play on guitar?

Many teachers use “Horse with No Name” (America), which relies on two chords, or “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan), which uses G, D, Am, and C.

What’s the most beautiful guitar chord?

There is no objective answer, but the open E minor and the Cmaj7 shapes are frequent favorites among learners because they ring sweetly and are easy to hold.

What hurts the most guitar chords?

Usually barre chords — especially F major and B minor — because they force your index finger to press all six strings and your hand has not yet built the strength.

What are the 9 basic guitar chords for beginners?

A common expanded set is G, C, D, A, E, Em, Am, Dm, and F. The first eight are open chords; F is usually the first barre chord.

How can I use a guitar chords app?

Use an app to display chord diagrams while you practice songs. Many apps also let you change the key, which is useful once you know the open shapes and can move them up the neck.