5 Practical Ways To Learn Open Guitar Chords

If you're new to playing the guitar, you may feel overwhelmed by the many different chords you can learn. However, open guitar chords can provide a great starting point for beginners.

These chords are easy to play and can be used to create a variety of songs. In this blog post, we'll explore what open guitar chords are and how you can start learning them today.
What Are Open Chords?
Open guitar chords are chords that use open strings. This means that when you play the chord, some of the strings are played without being fretted. Open chords are typically used in folk, blues, and country music, and they are great for beginners because they are simple to play and create a pleasant, resonant sound.
How to Start Learning Open Guitar Chords
Here are some steps you can follow to start learning open guitar chords:

1. Familiarize yourself with the basic chord shapes. The most common open guitar chords include A, C, D, E, G, Em and Am. Start by learning the basic chord shapes for these chords, and then move on to other chords as you become more comfortable with playing.
 
2. Practice switching between chords. Once you have a basic understanding of the chord shapes, start practicing switching between different chords. This will help you get a feel for how the chords sound together and how they flow from one to the next. Simply pick 2 to start with. G and Em work well together. Same with G and C; G and D or A and D. They are all great starting points.

3. Experiment with different strumming patterns.There are many different strumming patterns you can use when playing open guitar chords. Experiment with different strumming patterns to find what works best for you. Though to begin with start with simple down strums on every beat until you get the chord changes going.


4. Start playing songs. Once you have a basic understanding of the chords and strumming patterns, start playing songs. You can find song sheets online, or you can create your own by experimenting with different chord progressions.

5. Take lessons or join a group. Learning the guitar is more fun and effective when you have support. Consider taking lessons or joining a guitar group to help you progress in your playing.

Learning open guitar chords is a great place to start for anyone who wants to start playing the guitar. They sound great and can be used to play a variety of songs. With these simple steps, you can start learning open guitar chords today and enjoy all the benefits that playing the guitar has to offer!
However, from my teaching experience...
Open chords present a lot of challenges for the adult beginner. Namely, wide hand stretches and crazy finger gymnastics.

If you're ready to start playing songs for fun, I have helped many adults get started with a set of chords that are very easy to change so that you can start playing songs today.
To learn some great songs and unleash the power of self-expression through music, schedule a free, 60-minute, introductory session today!

With nearly 40 years of playing and teaching experience, I will guide you through the process and help you master the basics of playing the guitar. Let's see if this is a good fit for you!
Author: Allen Hopgood
Having played in local Gold Coast bands since he was 17, Allen Hopgood also helps adult guitar players to have fun playing songs.

You can find out more about Allen Hopgood and his guitar school here: https://www.goldcoastschoolofguitar.com/
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