Most of us begin to learn guitar because we want to learn to play our favorite songs. In order to learn songs we’ve got to learn chords. I’ve put together a simple beginner tutorial that will introduce you to three easy 3 string guitar chords. To keep things simple these beginner chords will only take place on the first 3 strings.

Once you complete this article you will be able to get your guitar and start practicing these chords right away. I’ll show you how the chords look and then also provide you some short tips on how to practice and learn them. The 3 chords we’ll learn today are the D7, C and G chords.

I’m going to use some simple tablature to explain how to play these chords and where to place your fingers

3 String G Chord

E — 3 —

B — 0 —

G — 0 —

D — X —

A — X —

E — X —

This is an easy three string beginner guitar chord. You place your third finger (ring finger) on the third fret of the high E string (also known as first string) and strum the first three strings, G, B and e.

3 String C Chord

E — 0 —

B — 1 —

G — 0 —

D — X —

A — X —

E — X —

Like the C chord above this three string G chord is easy to play and only requires you to place one finger on a fret. Put your index finger (1st finger) on the 1st fret of the B string and then strum the first three strings from the G string down.

3 String G7 Chord

E — 1 —

B — 2 —

G — 1 —

D — X —

A — X —

E — X —

This is the hardest of these beginner chords because you’re going to use three fingers on three different frets at once. Don’t get frustrated if you can’t get this right the first time it may take a few tries for your fingers to feel natural in this shape.

Take your first finger and place it on the first fret of the G string, next place your second finger on the first fret of the high e string, finally place your third finger on the second fret of the B string. Once you’ve got your fingers in position take a moment or two and let them feel comfortable then strum.

The first time you strum this G7 chord you may not hear a clean ring on all three strings. If this is happening don’t get frustrated rather focus on using just the tips of your fingers rather then the fleshy part. This can me accomplished by ensuring your thumb is straight and parallel with the back of the guitar neck and keep your fingers pointed straight at the strings.

These 3 string chords aren’t always taught with private lessons or on learn guitar dvds, how ever they are great chords to get you warmed up for 6  string open chords. To being with I would suggest practicing making the chord shapes then removing your fingers and making them again, this will create muscle memory and will be better then trying to switch between them all right away.

Taking your time is the key to perfection on the guitar. Trying to go to fast only results in frustration most times. If you’d like more detailed instruction I would suggest trying a guitar lesson dvd. Home study courses like DVDs are becoming the first choice of adults wanting to learn guitar but don’t have the time in their schedule to take private lessons.

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