Basic chords

Lesson 4

If you're like most folks your perception is that playing chords is one of the main things you do with a guitar. We all seem to know a few chords here and there but many of us again fail to grasp the significance of these mysterious finger patterns. In this lesson we'll learn what chords really are and explore the multiple ways to play any chord up and down the fret board.

Answers to look out for in this video...

  • How many different types chords are there?
  • How many chords of a particular type are there?
  • Why are there only five basic fingering patterns?
  • How do movable shapes and barre chords work?

More free video guitar lessons

View these four introductory video guitar lessons for free!

Still clip taken from Lesson 1 of the Absolutely Understand Guitar Video Lesson series.

The six main areas of music

Lesson 1

Learn that music is a language and your guitar is merely the tool you use to express the language.

Still clip taken from Lesson 2 of the Absolutely Understand Guitar Video Lesson series.

The four ways to know your pitch patterns

Lesson 2

If music is a language, then note patterns like scales, chords and melodies are much like the words in the language.

Still clip taken from Lesson 2 of the Absolutely Understand Guitar Video Lesson series.

The dumb machine

Lesson 3

Here we learn how the language of music plays out on the fretboard. Its all quite simple and logical but many players remain confused about this for years.

Still clip taken from Lesson 2 of the Absolutely Understand Guitar Video Lesson series.

Basic chords

Lesson 4

Learn what chords really are and explore the multiple ways to play any chord up and down the fretboard.