Welcome back! You are now in Part 2 of “How to Play Basic Chords on Guitar”. In Part 1, we learned how to play the chords G, C, and D. Now, we’re going to add three more chords to our repertoire: A, D, and E.
The A Chord
To play the A chord, place your first (index) finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Then, place your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third (ring) finger on the second fret of the second string. When you put your fingers on the guitar strings, make sure they are touching them really well, but not too hard. Strum all six strings together (See Figure 1).
The D Chord (Review)
In Part 1, we learned how to play the D chord. Just in case you need a refresher, here’s how to play it again: Place your first (index) finger on the second fret of the third string. Then, place your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the second string, and your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the first string. press down on the strings and make sure they don’t sound funny or quiet. You don’t want to press too hard though, or it might sound weird. Strum only the top five strings (See Figure 2).
The E Chord
To play the E chord, place your first (index) finger on the first fret of the third string. Then, place your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the fifth string, and your third (ring) finger on the second fret of the fourth string. When you hold down three strings with your fingers, push them down so they don’t move. But don’t cover the strings that aren’t under your fingers, or they won’t make a sound. Strum all six strings together (See Figure 3).
Practice Time!
Now that we know how to play the A, D, and E chords, let’s practice transitioning between them. Start with the A chord, then switch to the D chord, and finally to the E chord. Repeat this pattern as many times as you like. Remember to keep your fingers close to the frets and to strum each chord evenly.
Just like with the G, C, and D chords, it’s important to practice these chords regularly. Start with one chord at a time and practice transitioning between chords until you can do it smoothly without stopping. Then, try playing a simple song that uses these chords.
As always, don’t forget to use a metronome to help you keep time while practicing.
If you’re looking for a reliable and widely available metronome, the KLIQ MetroPitch is a popular choice. It’s a tuner, metronome, and tone generator all in one compact device, making it a great tool for practicing guitar. The device has a built-in speaker and headphone jack, and also features a tap tempo function for setting your own tempo. The KLIQ MetroPitch is available on Amazon and is highly rated by customers for its accuracy and ease of use.
Happy strumming!
Popular songs that use the A, D, and E chords
Here’s a list of A, D, E songs that you can play along with. You will find them on YouTube and Spotify!
- “Houses Of the Holy” by Led Zeppelin
- “Rock And Roll” by Led Zeppelin
- “No Expectations” by The Rolling Stones
- “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen
- “Lay Down Sally” by Eric Clapton
- “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and The Wailers
- “When The Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney
- “All My Friends Say” by Luke Bryan
- “Desire” by U2
- “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
- “Words Of Love” by Buddy Holly
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve learned three more basic chords on the guitar! With practice, you’ll be able to smoothly transition between these chords and play countless songs. In Part 3, we’ll learn a few more chords to add to our collection. Keep practicing and have fun!
