Learning guitar can be both rewarding and calming; it is the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day at work or school. But mastering it requires dedication and patience from you – mistakes may occur along the way, so persevere by continuing practicing regularly!
Researchers have demonstrated that playing the guitar can increase both IQ and blood pressure reduction while also producing dopamine, an endogenous mood enhancer.
1. C Major
C Major is an excellent chord for beginners and early intermediates to start learning, since its simple melody doesn’t contain any sharps or flats that might cause difficulties remembering it.
When practicing scales, experiment with various keys. Begin with keys containing no sharps or flats before transitioning into keys with sharps like G major (2 sharps). This will help reduce distances between notes.
2. D Major
D Major is a widely utilized key for popular songs with simple chord progressions. Chords in this key are built upon the 1st, 4th and 5th scale degrees to compose effective harmonies.
Justin Bieber’s 2015 album Purpose features the song Love Yourself written by Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco. To identify a song’s key, look at its black keys clustered together into groups of two or three, the final sharp being its tonic or root note.
3. E Major
E major is an energetic chord that provides a great foundation for learning guitar. From classic country (such as Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces”) or more modern pop-rock sounds, you will likely encounter E chords in many of your favorite songs.
Every note in the E major scale has its own name that corresponds with its position relative to the tonic (first) note. Learn to recognize these names by reading through the descending scale degrees below.
4. G Major
G major is an often-heard chord that can be found in numerous songs, as well as being one of the more commonly-used scale keys for piano playing – we cover this scale key in our Guide to All Major Scales.
This key signature contains one sharp (F sharp). When learning scales, remember that taking half steps up corresponds to moving one key (H) higher or one fret up the neck of your guitar.
5. A Major
Love Yourself by Justin Bieber was released as his fourth studio album Purpose in 2015 and written by Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco. For this guitar lesson, we will learn a strummed version of this popular tune which doesn’t contain bridges or interludes – ideal for developing fingerpicking skills as well as muted slap abilities.
6. B Major
Music theory categorizes chords into what are known as triads; each triad contains three notes.
Addition of low E to A and C triads will produce an uncharacteristic sound; though not necessarily harmful, this might not fit with your chord progressions as desired.
The B major chord requires slightly more finger strength, but is found so frequently in songs that learning it should still be an option.
7. C Minor
C Minor chord is an iconic chord used across many genres of music. It can help create tension and release when used alongside progressions with flat VI and flat VII chords.
C Minor chords are built upon the C Natural Minor scale and contain three flats; therefore a song written in this key will likely include some accidentals.
8. D Minor
D Minor is an atmospheric key, perfect for emotive melodies and thoughtful songs like Justin Bieber’s hit “Love Yourself”. Additionally, this key can also be found in songs of love like his hit single.
D minor is one of the natural minor keys, consisting of 1 flat note and 6 natural notes. You should practice playing open D minor chords and explore variations. Try inverting different chords for an authentic sound and feeling.
9. E Minor
E Minor is a versatile key used for many songs and chord progressions, often employing its same notes as its related major scale – G major. Therefore, transposing songs to this key should be straightforward.
One of the best ways to learn a new key is through practicing its scales. Start with E minor pentatonic scale, then work your way upward and downward through other variations.
10. G Minor
G Minor is an expressive key found across genres and time periods in music of all kinds, evoking emotions ranging from melancholic introspection to exhilaration.
Create various chords in G minor by adding additional tones beyond those included in triad chord tones; this process is known as flavoring a chord.
Experiment with these chords in different rhythms and tempos, to develop your own signature sound. Doing this can help create something truly distinctive from you.