D, G, C — the workhorse trio
Concept
D, G and C together with Em give you hundreds of songs. D uses 3 fingers on the top strings. G stretches across the whole neck. C is C major's defining shape.
D major — the high triangle
Three fingers form a triangle on the top three strings: - Index on G string, fret 2 - Ring on B string, fret 3 - Middle on high E, fret 2
Strum only the top 4 strings (D string and up). The D string is the root. If you strum the low E it sounds muddy — D's third (F#) on the low E would be wrong.
G major — the big stretch
Multiple fingerings exist. The most common 'rock' G uses all 6 strings: - Middle on low E, fret 3 - Index on A string, fret 2 - Ring on high E, fret 3
Leave the D, G, B strings open. Some players prefer adding the pinky on B string fret 3 (turns it into a slightly fuller G). Start with the 3-finger version.
C major — partial barre territory
- Ring on A string, fret 3
- Middle on D string, fret 2
- Index on B string, fret 1
Strum from the A string down (skip the low E). The most common buzz is on the high E — that string should ring open, so make sure your middle finger arches up off it.
Key takeaways
- •G C D + Em = the most-used chord set in pop and folk.
- •Watch which strings to skip on each chord.
- •Open strings inside a chord must actually ring — arch your fingers.
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