One-Finger Guitar Chord Primer, lesson 2

We're going to learn the one-finger chord shape that will get us making music as fast as possible. The shape will make it easier to learn more complex shapes later on.

To make this lesson as easy to read as it is to do, we'll avoid tablature or other notation, and go right to pictures and sound. So let's get to it: this is the one shape that you can start making music with almost immediately:

Place your first finger flat onto fret two, so that it's pressing down strings 2, 3, and 4. (We number strings as follows: string 1 is closest to the ground, and 6 is closest to the ceiling.) Here's a photo of what you need to do:

It's okay if your finger covers more strings, but it must cover 2, 3, and 4. Now, how do we get sound? That's the job of the right hand. We're not going to use a pick right now, but go "all natural," or all fingers: we'll pluck the strings. Again, it's easier to see it than read it, so have a look here:

Now, press down with the first finger of your left hand on fret 2, while plucking with the fingers of your right hand. If you're not getting sound, you may not be pressing hard enough, or your finger might be sitting atop the steel bar that separates the frets. Look for those things. If you're still not getting sound, send an email here: dk_NO_SPAM_@MaximumMusician.com without the no-spam piece.

Now, what to do if you are getting sound? First, congratulations! And let's save the goodies for next time.

Thanks for reading.

Here's the next lesson in the One-Finger series.

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Guitar Chords (GC) builds your chops and helps you identify harmonies by ear. GC teaches you chord substitution; Jazz, Rock and Blues progressions; transposing songs; harmonizing melodies; fingerpicking, alternating bass, arpeggios, and much more.