Which guitar chords should a beginner learn first?

C, A, G, E, D, A minor, E minor, and D minor are a practical first set because they introduce common open shapes used in many progressions.

How does PluckTune check a chord?

With microphone permission, the lesson listens for the expected notes one string at a time before moving into timed rhythm practice.

Is the beginner guitar chord lesson free?

Yes. The lesson is free in a modern browser and does not require an account.

PluckTune

Learn Your First Eight Guitar Chords Online

Work through C, A, G, E, D, A minor, E minor, and D minor with clear chord diagrams. Pluck each string for microphone-guided note checks, then reinforce the shape in a built-in rhythm stage.

Start First Chords See the Chord List

Eight Essential Shapes

Follow a focused path through five major and three minor open chords.

Note-by-Note Checks

With microphone permission, PluckTune listens for the expected string notes as you build each shape.

Rhythm Stage

Move from holding the chord to playing it with a steady click at an adjustable practice tempo.

Progress Saved

Return to the lesson later and continue from your saved chord and tempo on the same browser.

The Eight Beginner Guitar Chords in This Course

All shapes use standard E–A–D–G–B–E guitar tuning.
Chord	Quality	Why learn it
C major	Major	Introduces a three-finger diagonal shape and selective strumming
A major	Major	Builds compact finger placement across neighboring strings
G major	Major	Develops a wider hand shape and full resonance
E major	Major	Uses all six strings and shares a shape relationship with A minor
D major	Major	Builds a compact triangular shape on the higher strings
A minor	Minor	A very common minor shape closely related to E major
E minor	Minor	A simple two-finger chord that lets all six strings ring
D minor	Minor	Introduces a useful minor shape on the top four strings

How to Make a New Chord Ring Clearly

Tune the guitar first. A correctly fingered chord cannot sound settled if the open strings are out of tune.
Place fingertips just behind the fret wire, not directly on top of it. This usually needs less pressure and produces less buzz.
Keep each finger curved so it does not accidentally touch the neighboring string.
Pluck the allowed strings one at a time. If one is muted, adjust only the finger nearest that string.
Release excess pressure after the chord rings. Efficient fretting will make later chord changes faster.

Short, accurate sessions beat long sessions built on tension. Stop briefly if the thumb squeezes hard or the fingertips collapse.

From Chord Shapes to Smooth Changes

Once two shapes ring clearly, practice the movement between them without strumming. Look for a finger that can stay near the same string or move as part of one coordinated hand shape. Then set the online metronome to a slow tempo and change once every four beats.

When ten changes feel relaxed, try once every two beats. Speed is the result of a smaller, repeatable movement—not of squeezing harder or rushing the hand.

Beginner Guitar Chord FAQ

Which chords should I learn first?: C, A, G, E, D, Am, Em, and Dm form a useful first set and appear across many common progressions.
How does the microphone check work?: The lesson listens for the expected notes string by string. Grant microphone permission, then pluck the indicated string cleanly.
Do I need to memorize every chord at once?: No. Learn two or three clean shapes, practice changes between them, and add another only when the first group feels familiar.
Can I browse more advanced shapes?: Yes. The guitar chord viewer includes 12 chord families in every root and alternate voicings where available.