Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners
3 Must-Know Chords
So you got your guitar and now you're ready to start playing by learning some easy guitar chords.
While there are a lot of opinions on this subject, the 3 guitar chords we are going to learn today are what I start all local guitar students on and I have a 100% success rate in helping them quickly learn and move past their beginner guitar chords.
I'll also break down the details for what fingers to use, how to read chord diagrams, and my top 3 tips and tricks to learning guitar chords so that you don't end up struggling with the basics.
How To A Read Guitar Chord Diagrams
Before we begin, lets take a quick look at how to read a chord diagram so you can understand the images I have on the page:
Just so we're clear, open position or open chords refer to guitar chords that use at least one open string. Meaning, you play the string but don't press on the string anywhere. Most basic chords are in open position as they tend to be easy chords for beginners.
Finger Position For E Minor Chord
The Em chord (E minor) is by far the easiest guitar chord to learn and can be learned on your first day of learning how to play guitar. I usually skip the most basic position because it's so easy as you don't even need to use your fret hand! All you need to do is strum from the third string down and play strings 1, 2, 3 open.
E minor chord (full version)
The full Em guitar chord only uses two fingers which makes it really easy to play.
To play, place your middle finger (second finger) on the fifth string second fret and your ring finger (third finger) on the fourth string second fret and then strum all the strings.
This chord is played by strumming all the strings which makes it easy for your strumming hand.
Finger Position For C Major Chord
The next on my list of easy guitar chords is the C major chord. I'll provide two different positions for this chord just like I did for the E minor chord.
The first position just uses one finger making it one of the easiest chords to learn on guitar. To play place your index finger (first finger) on the second string first fret.
When you strum, strum from the third string down and avoid strumming strings 4 - 6.
C major chord Guitar (full version)
To play the full version for C major you'll need to use three fingers. Even though it uses more fingers it still fits the bill for easy guitar chords.
To play place your index finger (first finger) on the second string first fret, your middle finger (second finger) on the fourth string second fret, and your ring finger (third finger) on the fifth string third fret.
When you strum, strum this chord from the 5th string down and avoid strumming the low E string.
Finger Position For G Major Chord
The next on my list of easy guitar chords is the G major chord. I'll provide two different positions for this chord just like I did for the previous two chords.
The first position also uses one finger and you'll also strum from the third string down like you did for the E minor and C major.
To play, place your pinky finger (fourth finger) on the first string third fret.
G major chord guitar (Full version)
To play the full G Major chord place your pinky finger on the first string third fret, your middle finger on the sixth string third fret and your index finger on the fifth string second fret.
If you've seen any other guitar websites you may have seen the G major chord with different fingerings. What I have provided is the best as they don't paint you into a corner down the road.
Why are these beginner guitar chords good for beginners?
The chords mentioned above Em G C are some of the most popular chords for beginners to learn first because they are easy to play, they sound great, and they are used in popular songs.
Tips To Practice Beginner Guitar Chords
Tip #1
The #1 mistake players make in learning how to play new chords is that they don't memorize them. If you have to constantly look at where to place your fingers, your mind/body won't develop proper coordination. Focus on learning just a few chords at a given time.
Tip #2
Beginners often complain about how they have small hands, their fingers are stiff, don't stretch etc etc. Which of course leads them down a rabbit hole of endless finger exercises on YouTube or buying the next gadget on amazon. The #1 technical mistake beginner guitarists make that cause their hands to not work properly is their thumb position. See video.
Tip #3
To learn any guitar chord you must, I repeat, you must play the chord very slowly so that all your fingers press on the strings simultaneously. Your chord changes will always be slow if you place your fingers on the fretboard one at a time.
Bonus chord: The D major chord
There are a few other chords that a beginning guitarist often starts with such as D major chord and E major chord. I personally don't start my beginning students on the D major chord but teachers often due simply because the combination of G C D is used in many songs.
To play a D major chord place your first finger on the third string second fret, your middle finger on the first string second fret, and your third finger on the 2 second string third fret.
When you strum, strum from the D string down (the fourth string)
I-IV-V Chord progression
As a beginner you may be wondering what a I-IV-V chord progression means. Think of it like this. A chord is like a musical word and when you speak a language you just don't say random words but rather you speak in sentences. (words that flow).
A I-IV-V chord progression in the key of G major would be chords G C D. We'll have more discussions breaking down the theory for how music flows but for now, lets just get your chords memorized and sped up before we start getting into the nuts and bolts of how music works.
Songs Using Basic Guitar Chords
Bob Dylan - Knock'n On Heavens Door
The Cranberries - Zombie
Tom Petty - Learning To Fly
What about barre chords?
Bar chords or barre chords are when you lay your finger(s) across multiple strings so that one finger presses down multiple strings. While there are some easy guitar chords that can be played with barring (see my break down of individual chords) I wouldn't recommend starting your guitar playing with bar chords.
What about Power Chords?
Truth bomb...
Open power chords are actually the easiest guitar chords for beginners.
Wait what??
Here's the problem, everybody and their mom (including Chat GPT) thinks beginner guitar players should start with G C D.
So if I said otherwise not only would you never find this article but you wouldn't trust it anyway because everyone online says something different.
Wait you mean countless articles and Youtube videos are made to just to rank and not to actually give quality information??
Welcome to the internet brother. 
That being said, I do start my own local students on Em G C (the easy one finger versions)
Here's how to play 3 easy power chords :) E5 - A5 - D5
By the way, inside the Guitar GPS Academy, I don't have to worry about SEO or what the masses think I can just give you the truth and prove it to you through your results.
If you haven't already, download my PDF and video training on "How To Speed Up Your Chord Changes In 30 Days. I'll work you through the process of learning beginner guitar chords, get you results NOW and who knows, maybe we can work together in the future.