Your First Five Guitar Chords

Five chords is all you need to start playing real songs on the acoustic guitar. These shapes are used in folk songs, film songs, pop hits and campfire favourites, so every minute you spend on them pays off.

How to read a chord diagram

Imagine the guitar standing up in front of you. The six vertical lines are the strings: the thickest (low E) is on the left, and the thinnest (high E) is on the right. The horizontal lines are the frets.

• A dot shows where to press. The orange dot is the root, the note the chord is named after.
• ○ above a string means play it open, without pressing.
• × means don't play that string at all.

The five chords

Start with E minor. It only needs two fingers and you can strum all six strings. Then add A minor, which uses the same shape moved across one string, plus one extra finger.

Getting a clean sound

1. Use your fingertips, not the flat pads of your fingers, so you don't accidentally touch the next string.
2. Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the square. You'll need much less pressure.
3. Keep your thumb behind the neck, roughly opposite your middle finger, rather than gripping like a fist.
4. Play one string at a time to check each note rings. If one buzzes, adjust that finger and try again.

The one-minute chord change

Changing chords smoothly is harder than playing them. Try this game:

1. Pick two chords, for example Em and Am.
2. Set a timer for one minute.
3. Switch back and forth as many times as you can, strumming once each time.
4. Write down your score and try to beat it tomorrow.

Once Em ↔ Am feels easy, move on to C ↔ G, G ↔ D and D ↔ Em.

Free toolChord FinderLook up any chord and see guitar chord diagrams and piano keys side by side, then hear how it sounds.

What to try next

When all five chords feel comfortable, start strumming along to a slow, steady beat. Our guide to holding the guitar and strumming your first rhythm is the perfect next step.

Last updated 9 October 2026

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