First Five Chords Every Beginner Should Learn (a.k.a. Your Ticket to Stardom)

So, you’ve decided to learn guitar or ukulele. Great choice! But before you start wooing audiences (or at least your cat), you need some chords—the building blocks of every song ever written. Well, at least most songs.

Here are the first five chords you should learn to go from “total beginner” to “I kinda know what I’m doing.”

For Guitarists (Acoustic Heroes & Electric Shredders)

These chords will get you through thousands of songs—including most of your favorite pop, rock, and campfire classics.

1. C Major – The bread and butter of guitar chords. Sounds great, easy on the ears, but a little tricky on the fingers.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your wrist loose and your fingers arched to avoid muting other strings.

2. G Major – The “I’m playing a real song!” chord. It’s in almost everything, from Sweet Home Alabama to Let It Be.

💡 Pro Tip: Try different finger placements—some people use their pinky, some don’t. Do what feels comfortable.

3. D Major – Small shape, big impact. Common in country and folk songs, plus it sounds super happy.

💡 Pro Tip: Strum just the bottom four strings to avoid muddy sounds.

4. E Minor – The easiest chord ever. Two fingers, instant emo sadness.

💡 Pro Tip: This chord transitions beautifully into C and G—play around with that.

5. A Major – Simple, classic, and essential for blues and rock.

💡 Pro Tip: Cram all three fingers in one fret without accidentally muting anything (it’s a fun challenge).

For Ukulele Players (Masters of the Chill Vibes)

Ukulele chords are like guitar chords’ tiny, friendly cousins—easier to play and perfect for singalongs.

1. C Major – Just one finger. That’s it. You’re playing music now.

💡 Pro Tip: Place your finger on the 3rd fret of the A string and voilà—instant song material.

2. G Major – A bit trickier but used all the time. Think of it as the ukulele’s VIP chord.

💡 Pro Tip: It looks like a little triangle shape—once your fingers find the right spots, muscle memory kicks in fast.

3. F Major – Super important for tons of songs, from folk to pop.

💡 Pro Tip: It’s like a Am chord with extra flair—just add another finger!

4. A Minor – One finger, instant mood.

💡 Pro Tip: Use your middle finger so you can easily transition to F. Smart, right?

5. D Major – The fun one that makes you feel like you know what you’re doing.

💡 Pro Tip: Use three fingers on the same fret OR one big ol’ index finger to bar them all at once.

Now What?

🎶 Strum these together and you’ll be playing actual songs in minutes.🎶 Look up some classic 4-chord songs (like Let It Be, Stand By Me, or I’m Yours) and start jamming!

🎶 Most importantly—have fun! Mess up, laugh, and keep going.

Congrats! You now officially know enough chords to play hundreds of songs—and impress people at parties (or at least your cat). Keep strumming! 🎸✨

🎶 Ready for more? Book an intro lesson today with Jaden in Studio 241!