First Chords

Key of A – 2 Chords

1. The easiest chords to get started with are the A and E chords. In the diagrams above, the vertical lines present the strings, the horizontal lines represent the frets, and the dots represent the fingertips. Zeros over the strings indicate open strings, numbers are the left or fretting hand fingers, and an “x” indicates that a string is not played.

3. When changing from A to E and back, lift 2 & 3, slide 1, and replace 2 & 3. Try this warmup exercise in A, using 4 down-strums only per measure at 1 beat each: 4/4 / A / E / E / A //

4. Songs with A and E: Practice these until you can change chords without stopping.
(Click on the links to hear the songs on YouTube)

Skip To My Lou – 4/4 / A / A / E / E / A / A / E / A //

Tom Dooley –4/4 / A / A / A /A / A / A / E / E / E / E / E / E / E / E /A / A //

Aiko Aiko- 4/4 / A / A / A / E / E / E / E / A //

Jambalaya – 4/4 //: A / A / E / E / E / E / A / A //

Down in the Valley - ¾ / A / A / A / A / E / E / E / E / E / E / E / E / A / A / A / A //

5. Speed changing: Look at your left hand, don’t stop the strum, jump to the next chord.

Key of A, Part II- 3 Chords

A D E

1. After learning A and E, the next chord is D. With these three chords you can play literally thousands of songs.

2. If the D chord is difficult at first, try this exercise: First, place the second finger on the second fret of the first string. Then place the third finger on the third fret of the second string, making sure the finger is curled and inside of the finger is not touching the first string. Play the two strings together and adjust the positions of the fingers until both strings are sounding clearly. Finally, place the first finger on the second fret of the third string and play the full chord, adjusting as necessary for clarity.

3. Warm-up exercise- 4 downstrums on each chord: 4/4 / A / D / E / A / A / E / D / A //

4. How to change chords: A ® D, D ® A. Lift 2 and 3, hold 1, replace 2 and 3.

D ® E, E ® D, A ® E, E ® A. Lift 2 and 3, slide 1, replace 2 and 3.

Fingerings chart for the A, D, and E chords

Chord	Finger	String	Fret
A	1 2 3	3 4 2	2 2 2
D	1 2 3	3 1 2	2 2 3
E	1 2 3	3 5 4	1 2 2

6. Songs in A - 4 strums per measure in 4/4, three strums per measure in ¾.
Leaving on a Jet Plane - 4/4 /A / D /A / D / A / D / E / E //

Amazing Grace - ¾ / A / A / D / A / A / A / E / E / A / A / D / A / A / E / A /A //

Blowin' In the Wind - 4/4 / A / D / A / A / A / D / E / E :// (3x) / D / E / A / A / D / E / A / A //
Key to the Highway - / A / E / D / D / A / E / A / A //

Sweet Home Chicago – 4/4 / A / D / A / A / D / D / A / A / E / D / A / A //