Some left handed guitar players find reading chord charts challenging as they are designed with right-handed fretboard orientation in mind; however, chord structures remain consistent regardless of orientation.
Popular left-handed guitarists include Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Paul McCartney, Tony Iommi of Black Metal fame and surf rock pioneer Dick Dale.
C Major
C Major chord is one of the easiest chords for beginning guitarists to learn due to its roots in C Major Scale which does not contain any sharp or flat notes.
Strum the bottom five strings while barring the top three with your index finger to form a Cmaj7 chord – this allows for more rich sounds! Experiment with different variations to find what best fits your musical style.
A Major
Strumming five strings at once to form this A major chord without touching the low E string is called an open chord; but for added power add an open bass note such as C# to create an A5 power chord (figure 1).
This must-know beginner chord works well in many popular chord progressions and can also be altered for Hendrix-approved 7#9 voicing by moving your pinky. Finding an optimal amount of tension is essential, so be mindful of what tension levels you use!
G Major
G Major chord is one of the introductory-level chords most beginners learn early on, so it is crucial that it is practiced regularly by strumming it multiple times so as to memorize its shape and create an appealing sound.
Beginners often unwittingly mutes other strings while playing this chord, which can lead to unwanted muted notes. A simple solution for this issue is bending the meaty parts of your fingers so only the desired string is pressed down.
Angus Young popularized another variation on this chord by employing its four-finger version in songs such as Highway to Hell, Shook Me All Night Long, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.
D Major
D Major is an ideal starting point for diatonic harmony development. Use the following fingerings to practice playing D Major chord triads and four note extended chords.
Begin by numbering your fingers on your left hand: index finger = 1, middle finger = 2, ring finger = 3 and pinky = 4. Then place your thumb on the low E string and fret all of its other strings using all five of your remaining fingers.
Strumming each string, be sure that all notes sound clean without any buzzing.
E Major
E Major is one of the first beginner chords you should master, as seen in its prominent use in Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bruce Springsteen.
Be mindful that fretting your string as close to the fret wire as possible will prevent buzzing (the sound produced when vibration occurs between string and fret wire).
This chord features intervals of a major third and perfect fifth above its root note of E, making it compatible with chords like A Major and B Major.
F Major
F Major isn’t the easiest chord to learn; it requires practice to build hand strength and coordination. Achieving clean sounds on all strings may prove challenging if wrist or hand positioning is off; otherwise it could prove frustratingly unmanageable.
Position your hands correctly to achieve this shape as this will make playing other chords in this key easier. A good position for thumb and wrist allows finger 1 to lie flat whilst curling fingers 2 and 3. This type of chord is known as a partial barre chord.
G Minor
G Minor chord is one of the most sought-after guitar chords to learn, due to its bluesy sound that works so well with songs with deep meaning.
To play this chord, place your index finger across all six strings at the third fret to create a barre. Next use your middle finger for playing the fourth fret and pinky finger for fifth fret.
Practise with a coach to master technical challenges and gain confidence when writing G minor compositions. Online learning platforms like Skoove provide interactive lessons and guided practice sessions, including real-time feedback.
A Minor
A minor chords can make an excellent starting point for beginning chord players. Easy to learn and beautifully sounding, A minor chords make great beginner choices!
This chord utilizes two of your fretting hand’s fingers. Remember to strum open strings as well, to prevent unintended muting of strings.
Be mindful to use light finger pressure, so that the strings ring clearly rather than buzz. Practice will likely be required until you can play chords cleanly and seamlessly transition between them.