View the all the basic guitar lessons here
This is the 2nd lesson in my basics of guitar series. In the first lesson, we learned how to hold the guitar, how to read chord diagrams, and how to play our first chord, the D chord.
In this lesson, you’ll learn the four most used chords in the key of G: the G chord, the C chord, the D chord, and the Em chord.
How to play the chords
(click chord diagrams to view bigger versions)
To play the G, your 2nd finger goes on the low E string, 3rd fret. First finger on the A string, 2nd fret. Third and fourth fingers go on the B and high E strings, 3rd fret.
Remember to try and place your fingers as close to the fret as possible (but not on top of the fret). This will allow the string to ring out more fully.
For the C chord, start with your fingers in a position to play the G, and then just move your second and first fingers down one string each. Keep your 3rd and 4th fingers right where they were.
This is the chord we learned in the first lesson. Note that your 3rd finger is in the same position on the B string as with the G and the C chord.
I like to play Em with my 2nd and 3rd fingers, although you can play it with your first and second, or really any combinations of two fingers.
Alternative ways to play the chords
When playing in the key of G, I’ll often play all the chords while keeping my 3rd and 4th fingers planted on the B and E strings (3rd fret). The G and C look the same, but this is what the D and Em look like when you do this:
These are actually suspended versions of the chords, but they usually sound just fine in place of the other variations that you can play. When you play all the chords keeping your 3 and 4 fingers planted, you can move much faster between chords when you change.
Some other notes from this lesson:
- The less you move your fingers when you change chords, the faster and more efficient (and better) you’ll be. If you don’t need to move a finger between chords (like your 3rd finger on the G, C, and D), then just keep it down. This might be difficult at first, but it will get more natural as you practice.
- Remember to keep your fingers as close to the fret as possible without touching it.
- To practice, strum the chord, then pick each string, then strum again. If some of the strings buzz, that’s ok. Just keep practicing and you’ll get better over time.
Songs to play using these 4 chords
There are literally hundreds of songs you can play using these 4 chords. Here are a few worship songs that I’ve given video tutorials on:
Brian – New to your site. I actually stumbled onto it looking for a tutorial for How He Loves that I played for a men’s ministry function this past Saturday night. You really provide a great resource. Thank you very much.
Just noticed your video on comments so I thought I would port over the discussion we were having in the YouTub comments for this video. Hopefully this is OK.
As for the comments, I am relatively new to guitar -a year and a half now maybe? – and actully took it up to help with a men’s hike ministry started at my church. That said, it is my fifth musical instrument. So while I am learning from you on the guitar and parise music side I was hoping to share on the music theory side.
Thanks so much for taking your time to share your talent and ministry. These truely are some of the best tutorials for praise music on-line. If you ever get a chance to do one for the acoustic version of Bring the Rain/Mercy Me it would be much appreciated.
So here is my attempt at putting our YouTube conversation in context for this video.
– meanmna
The C chord demostrated in the video is actually a Cadd9 and not a C Major. C Major does not have a D note in it. Playing the 3rd finger on B string 3rd fret which is a D note. A C Major chord only has the C, E and G notes. To play a C major, you would need to play the first fret on the B string not the 3rd.
Also, the G Major has the G, B and D notes. So both the G chord versions he shows are G major chords just different “voicings” of G Major.
– brianwahlband
Yeah – this is true. The G and C chords I use here are technically not Gmaj and Cmaj, but I use these chords almost every time when playing in the key of G, and I find them to be interchangeable, especially when playing in G.
When I play in the key of C, though, I favor the Gmaj and Cmaj chords instead of these. Thanks for pointing this out – I should probably be more specific in these lessons.
– meanmna
Also, the final D and E minor versions he shows at the end are not stricly D and E minor chords. The E minor I think is actually a E minor 7th and the D is commonly refeerred to as a D sus 4 (or suspended 4th) chord.
– brianwahlband
Ah yeah – D is Dsus4, and Em is an Em7 with a G added in the top (4th? – not sure). Again – I find them to be fairly interchangeable with Em and D when playing in the key of G.
@meanmna Thanks for posting this up here. I’d say there are two reasons why I don’t typically go into the differences of these chord variations:
1. Sometimes I don’t know exactly what they are myself
2. Most people who watch these videos are beginners, and I’m worried it would be confusing. Sometimes you’ll see G, sometimes Gadd4, or an Em and an Em7 and if you didn’t know, you might think those were two totally different chords rather than just a minor variation of the same chord.
Having said that, I think it would be wise to point ou the differences at some point, though. Thanks!
HI brian You don’t know me I’m Don Robichaud I not cnceling this I’ve been playing a little bit.I know some of the chords like D- A- Em- E I’ been playing G on the htgh 6 string I’ve tried to play the correct way but it don’t sound to good I’ve been practicing about 30min.It seem like I’m not getting anywhere.then I’ve tried from D chord toA chord then I have to stop to get to A chord. I’ve tried to play the C chord I’ts impossible.What am I doing wrong please let me know. is it because I’m rtrying to hard. I would lie yo receive some email from you. I hope you get this email Thank you for you time emailrobichauddon_1937@yahoo .com
Hi Donald – the key is just to keep at it. Keep practicing and it will start to get easier and easier.
Hi Brian – Are you offering two hour sessions or is that to long for one session? and how much?
http://www.musiciansbuy.com
@bradc44 Hey Brad – I can do a two hour session no problem. For private lessons I’m charging $20 per half hour, but I’d give you a break on that pricing if you wanted a longer session.
HI Brian… My name is Brian too! I just picked up a guitar and am learning to play. I have had visions of leading worship and feel the Spirit calling me to do this. I have all summer as I am a teacher so this is a “summer project” for me. Thanks for putting this site together!
Well hello Brian 🙂 Good to hear – let me know how it goes!
Hi Brian. I just picked up the guitar yesterday. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy starting off. I think I’m more impatient and frustrated because my husband is on the worship team and is amazing and can play anything. Is it normal for it to be this hard the second day?
Hey Heather!
If you were up and running on your 2nd day, I’d call you a prodigy :). It’s totally normal. I remember when I first started out it took a month or two before my fingers would do what my brain was telling them to.
If you have previous experience playing other instruments it’ll probably come a lot faster. Just keep it up and you’ll be going in no time. I’m guessing your husband can give you some tips on learning as well.
Good luck!
Brian, I’m from Raleigh and I’m just starting to play my main concern is I have a broken pinky on my left hand that never healed correctly so it can’t bend. I’m learning the G chord and I can’t bend my pinky to play that high E string. I really have the desire to play ,what are my options to play this and other chords that require my pinky. HELP BROTHA
Hey Steve,
Man – that’s no good if your pinky doesn’t bend. I know there are plenty guitar players out there who have overcome those types of things, though, so don’t give up!
Specifically, there are a couple ways you can get around using your pinky in the key of G chord shapes. Use a normal G Major chord (same with C) and you should be good to go.
Brian, if I only know the chords in the key of G on the guitar, what fret do I capo at to play in the key of C, D, E and A
If anyone else is having trouble with the link for “How Great Is Our God” (Chris Tomlin) , the following link should work in its place
http://www.worshiptutorials.com/tutorials/how-great-is-our-god-chris-tomlin-resource-page/
Thanks Chris – I’ll get that updated.
Hi brian ..
Can you help me more in my guitar lesson ??
Cause im just starting and i want the basic chords ..
And what worship song can i play using key of G,C,D,Em ??
Hope you reply ..
Hi Genesis – there are a lot of songs you can play with G, C, D, and Em – check out Good Good Father for an easy one.
Hi Brian,
So I only have a classical nylon string guitar that my aunt is letting me borrow. Can I still play it the way I would a steel string guitar? I may buy a steel string one later
Thanks!
Hi Emily,
I actually learned on a classic nylon stringed guitar myself. It was my Grandmothers and lived under her bed for years and years until I picked it up to learn on. Good luck!
Hello Sir.. I prefer to watch your complete “package” videos. Thank you for sharing and a clear tutorial for everyone, I hope i can improve more and more 🙂 I’m just a beginner and so much willing to learn., still watching and keep on trying.. anyways. God bless Sir Brian .
Thanks Cathy! What do you mean exactly by the complete package type videos?
Please please help me , i am also christian and i need to worship with guitar , i love guitar .be blessed
Hi Muluneh – just keep practicing 🙂
Hi Brian, may I know why is that in the key of G: there are the G chord, the C chord, the D chord, and the Em chord? While in the key of A:there are the A chord, the E chord, the D chord, and the F#m chord and so on? sorry that I was just a beginner and have no idea about that. Hope you may answer my question. Thank You so much!.
Hi Karen – the answer lies in music theory :). If you check out my Chord Number System lesson, it will make a lot more sense.
Hi Brian,
I’m Ryan, I’ve been on n off w/ the guitar for 3 years, then there was a 5 year gap. I am currently deployed to the Middle East, and don’t have a capo. But I have a guitar. I’ve been playing every day for a hour or so. What songs can I play without a capo?
Hey Ryan – you can really play any song you want without a capo. It just changes the key of the song and makes it higher/lower depending on where the capo is.
Hi Brian,
This is just my first week of playing and I’m loving your sight. So thank you for putting this together. The one thing I’m wondering is it normal to have my fingers hurt a lot after only playing around an hour a day? I find it hard to finish a few lessons in one sitting just because the tips of my fingers hurt so much from my steel strings. Do you have any suggestions for things I can do that can help this before I actually get to th point of developing calluses on my left hand? (I’m a right-handed player.)
– Megan
Hi Megan – yes I think that is pretty normal. Your fingers will be sore until you build up a bit. If they hurt pretty bad, I’d definitely take a break and let them heal. An hour a day is a lot of practice if you’re just starting out.
Hi!
Actually, just now, I started to learn Guitar. And your way of teaching is amazing. The problem is that I don’t have a Guitar. I’m sure, I’l get it soon and I’ll star playing Guitar very soon!
Thank you!!!
Thanks Sam
Hii Brian
The video is very nice nd It’s really helpful for me .can u tell me how many days it will take fingers to be rough for to play guitar?bcause my fingers r hurting after practicing for half an hour
Hi Joel – it might take a while (few weeks) before your fingers get used to playing and develop callouses.
My fingers hurt a lot while I practice these chords, please help me reduce the pain.
Hi Shahmir – if you’re in a lot of pain it would be a good idea to take a break for a few days I think
Hi, Brian i bought guitar a month ago, since then i kept on searching for a good online tutor and last night i discoved your website Worship Tutorials, its just amazing!!!. I want to download your videos, kindly guide me how to do it?
Thanks Shikhar! The videos are not available for download, but you can freely watch them on YouTube and here on the site.
Hey Brian,
Your Youtube videos have helped me a lot. I can play within any key thanks to you! I also think playing bass was a key factor. haha I just a quick question. I noticed in one of your videos you did a cover of “What a Beautiful Name” By Hillsong but everywhere I look its in the main key which is D. Is there a way you can show me where I can get it in G?
Thanks a lot man!
Hi Brandon, You can get the chord charts for that one here from the site, and they include the key of G. Thanks!
Hi Brian,
Your tutorials are helpful but how to chose a guitar, and brief me which things we need to check for getting a guitar. explain me in details
Hi Safdar – check out our video on the best cheap guitar. Thanks!
Brian
I am picking up the guitar after a prophecy from the Lord over my life. Complete beginner but so confident in having found your resources that I will be able to do this
Just wanted to take the time to say thank you from the UK.
Thank you so much
I have received one of my grandfather’s guitars and your videos are helping me tremendously. I got very emotional last night after being able to play a few cords. Thank you and God bless to you sir
Brian, it seems that the link to the song Always by Kristian Stanfill is not in the given link…
Please check that link once
Thanks for sharing. This is wonderful. I use it to play amazing grace