Beginner guitar chords, and songs to play them in
Tap any chord to hear it. Every diagram shows where your fingers go, and every song uses chords you can learn in a week.
The 8 chords to learn first
All chords →What can you play?
You can play 17 songs
- Frère JacquesC
- Ode to JoyC · G · capo 2
- Amazing GraceG · C · D
- Angels We Have Heard on HighG · D · C
- Auld Lang SyneG · D · C
- Away in a MangerG · C · D
- Cripple CreekG · C · D · capo 2
- Good King WenceslasG · D · C
- Jingle BellsG · C · D
- John HenryG · C · D
- KumbayaG · C · D · capo 5
- Man of Constant SorrowG · C · D
and 5 more
Learn one more chord
Easy songbooks
All songs →- Beginner Guitar Songs40 songs · C G D D7
- Easy Guitar Songs82 songs · C G D G7
- Intermediate Guitar Songs5 songs · D G Bm A
- 2-Chord Songs9 songs · C G7 G D7
- 3-Chord Songs46 songs · C G D F
- 4-Chord Songs11 songs · G C D D7
- 5+ Chord Songs20 songs · G C Em D
- Christmas Songs20 songs · C G D Am
- Hymns32 songs · G C D Em
- Folk & Campfire Songs33 songs · C G D F
- Kids' Songs25 songs · C G7 F G
Popular songs
Learn the theory, use the tools
Questions
What guitar chords should a beginner learn first?
Start with the open chords C, G, D, A, E, Am, Em and Dm. Together they cover hundreds of songs, and none of them needs a barre.
How many chords do I need to play songs?
Two or three is enough to start. Many folk songs, hymns and carols use only G, C and D (or C, F and G), so you can play real songs within your first weeks.
What does a capo do?
A capo clamps across the strings and raises the pitch. It lets you use easy open shapes and still match the key of a recording or a singer.