“Zombie,” one of the classic songs from the ’90s, can help your power chords into shape quickly and effectively. This track employs a very straightforward four-chord progression which repeats throughout its entirety and makes for an excellent warmup exercise.
This series begins with E minor, an easily accessible open chord shape, followed by C major 7 (which looks just like regular C chord but without finger 1 lifted: X32000) and G6/F# (3X32000).
Strumming this song requires some practice with your left hand, but the effort will definitely pay off! It’s well worth your while!
Verse 1: Am
The Am chord is often one of the first minor chords learned by new students, making an entrance in songs across all genres. Its versatility also lends it an alluring appeal.
Am is a minor chord consisting of A, C and E notes. Just like major chords, minors can be formed by stacking two thirds over their root note but in reverse order: first C then A.
Verse 2: C
C chords often combine with G chords for an emotionally charged progression that works well when dealing with serious subject matters.
Start out with an open C chord and move up to the third fret for a barre chord, also known as a power chord. Be mindful that playing bar chords may tire your hand over time so take regular breaks between songs to give yourself time off!
Verse 3: G
For this section we’re going to practice open G shapes. This requires moving your index finger up one string while simultaneously adding pinky.
Here, you have plenty of scope for experimentation with strumming patterns – try playing it either with full up/down movement, or something sparser. In addition, consider which chords come next; Cadd9 or plain C would work great.
Verse 4: D
In the verse, the D chord is a closed voicing of an open C shape moved up two frets. To play it effectively, barring and muteding all four strings at their second frets are required; additionally, you should mute one string entirely (fourth string).
Beginners often struggle to sound this chord cleanly. It requires time for their ring fingers to develop enough strength in order to skip one string without disrupting their balance.
Verse 5: E
This song is perfect for beginners to learn, as it only utilizes four easy chords and has an accessible strumming pattern.
This variation of an E chord requires your index finger to act as a barre across all three lower strings, muting out one string – either low E string or high E string for optimal sound production.
Verse 6: F
F chords tend to sound best when picked, so focus on mastering this shape and practicing picking patterns. Also take time to learn chord extensions (such as Em7=Cmaj9) which may broaden your horizons further.
Try this higher voicing of F major, easier than Figure 1, while remembering to mute the A string with finger three and add variety and dynamics to your song with this chord!
Verse 7: G
G chords are an easy and fun way to add some variety to your guitar playing, without the need for barre chords – making them accessible for beginners guitarists!
Though a G major chord should include its ninth tone, guitarists often opt to leave out this detail when creating beautiful voicings with their fingers. Try playing this chord alongside Cmaj7 chords for a sublime V-I progression!
Verse 8: C
Being able to switch up different versions of a chord provides you with various tonal choices and reduces neck movement. For example, changing from C open chord into Gsus4, G7 or any other variant will open up new possibilities and help reduce neck strain.
You’ve likely encountered this chord in many songs, from the catchy rhythm of “One Love” to new wave synth pop like “Viva La Vida”. Have fun practicing!
Verse 9: D
D is one of the more frequently encountered chords when playing guitar, and is relatively straightforward. But to achieve optimal results you may require flexibility and strength in your ring finger in order to close off each string correctly.
Try this variation of D that adds a suspended fourth to the chord. It is easier and sounds wonderful!
Verse 10: E
The E chord is one of the easiest chords to learn with some practice and utilizes all six strings – it is very straightforward and enjoyable!
This variation adds some spice to a standard open E shape by barring the 9th fret across two, three, and four strings while muting one string – providing beginners with some added challenge! It works best on electric guitars.