An acoustic guitar chord is several notes all played at once. There are a lot of different acoustic guitar chords, but if you can learn a few basic ones, you can then play hundreds, if not thousands, of songs. There are some of the major chords, which have a brighter sound whilst the minor chords have a darker or sadder sound.
Acoustic guitar chords are expressed in print as chord diagrams. Chord diagrams for acoustic guitars look like guitar tabs for electric guitars but while guitar tabs are printed side-to-side (horizontally), acoustic guitar chord diagrams are vertical (top to bottom). The chord diagram appears as a series of crossed lines with vertical lines to mark each string, horizontal lines to mark each fret and dots to mark the spot where the string should be held down.
The acoustic guitar chord diagram will have numbers at either the top or the bottom, which tell you what finger to use. 1 stands for index, 2 middle, 3 ring and 4 pinky and 0 means the string is not held down with a finger and is played. If there is an X, the string is not held down and not played. Rarely, the thumb is used and noted by a T.
G-major is the first chord we’re going to learn on the acoustic guitar. Place your fingers as follows: middle finger on sixth string at third fret, index finger on fifth string at second fret, ring finger on first string at third fret. Play each note one at a time, including the open strings. Each note should be heard clearly, with no odd buzzing or rattling sounds.
If you hear buzzing or rattling, adjust your fingers on the frets. Move your finger down the string or try pressing the strings down harder on the fingerboard if the tone sounds off. Check to see that your fingers aren’t touching each other or any of the other strings. Then when all the notes sound in tune, give them a strum all at once. You’ve just played a G-major acoustic guitar chord.
The chord E-minor is considered to have easier fingering than the others. Use your index finger to hold down the fifth string on the second fret and your middle finger to hold down the fourth string on the second fret. Both fingers need to have plenty of room on the fret and can not touch each other. Try the notes out and alter your fingering a bit until it sounds right to you. Finally, strum the E-minor chord. You will note right away the dark sound associated with this acoustic guitar chord. With a little practice, you will have this chord down in no time.
Acoustic guitar chords that comprise the basic ones to practice include C-major, D-major, A-minor, and A-major. Practice moving your fingers from one chord to another until it feels comfortable and familiar.
Learning to play acoustic guitar chords will not happen quickly or easily at first and you will have to keep checking your finger placement. But if you continue to practice, practice, practice, the muscle memory will soon take over and you will be moving freely through all of the acoustic guitar chords. In a short time it will become second nature to you.