Guitar Lesson 7 - Beginner Guitar Chord Progressions


The past three lessons have covered seven guitar chords (E, Em, A, Am, G, D, C). Let's take a break from learning new chords and recap what we've learned so far. This lesson will really place an emphasis on transitioning from chord to chord. This an important lesson, so kick back, relax and take your time on each part and make sure you get it down!

Lesson 7 Part 1
 
 |--G--G----D--D---Am-Am----E--E--| Chord

E|--3--3----2--2----0--0----0--0--|
B|--3--3----3--3----1--1----0--0--|
G|--0--0----2--2----2--2----1--1--|
A|--0--0----0--0----2--2----2--2--|
D|--2--2----0--0----0--0----2--2--|
E|--3--3----0--0----0--0----0--0--|
Video/Sound File: Lesson 7 Part 1 Video File | Lesson 7 Part 1 Wav File

Part 1:
This is a simple and common chord progression. Here you will playing G - D - Am - E. For this example, play each chord from the sixth string. Once you can play this several times in a row, try a small change. Play up and down which is simple, you play the first chord starting from the sixth string and then as you your hand comes back up play the chord again from the first string. For example, play the G chord strumming down then play it strumming up.


Lesson 7 Part 2 
 |--G---------------D--------------Am---------------E------------|

E|--3---3--3--3-----2---2--2--2-----0---0--0--0-----0---0--0--0--| 
B|--3---3--3--3-----3---3--3--3-----1---1--1--1-----0---0--0--0--| 
G|--0---0--0--0-----2---2--2--2-----2---2--2--2-----1---1--1--1--| 
D|--0---0--0--0-----0---0--0--0-----2---2--2--2-----2---2--2--2--| 
A|--2---2--2--2-----0---0--0--0-----0---0--0--0-----2---2--2--2--| 
E|--3---3--3--3-----0---0--0--0-----0---0--0--0-----0---0--0--0--| 

 |--d---d--u--d-----d---d--u--d-----d---d--u--d-----d---d--u--d--| Direction
Video/Sound File: Lesson 7 Part 2 Video File | Lesson 7 Part 2

Part 2:
This chord progression will cover playing up and down. This is just like the previous chord progression except each chord will be played four times - down...down-up-down. Underneath each chord I put a (d)own and an (u)p, playing up simply means the chord is played starting from the 1st string instead of the 6th. Play each chord in the direction indicated.


Lesson 7 Part 3 
|-G------D---------C------D---------G------D---------C------D---------G-|

|-3--3---2--2--2---0--0---2--2--2---3--3---2--2--2---0--0---2--2--2---3-|
|-3--3---3--3--3---1--1---3--3--3---3--3---3--3--3---1--1---3--3--3---3-|
|-0--0---2--2--2---0--0---2--2--2---0--0---2--2--2---0--0---2--2--2---0-|
|-0--0---0--0--0---2--2---0--0--0---0--0---0--0--0---2--2---0--0--0---0-|
|-2--2---X--X--X---3--3---X--X--X---2--2---X--X--X---3--3---X--X--X---2-|
|-3--3---X--X--X---X--X---X--X--X---3--3---X--X--X---X--X---X--X--X---3-|

|-d--d---d--u--d---d--d---d--u--d---d--d---d--u--d---d--d---d--u--d---d-|
Video/Sound File: Lesson 7 Part 3 Video File | Lesson 7 Wav File

Part 3:
This progression goes G - D - C - D, repeats then G. As you can see above the G and C chords will be played down and the D chord will be played down - up - down. Try to develop some rythm while you play this one. It basically goes, 1...2, 1-2-3, 1...2, 1-2-3.





Next Guitar Lesson: Guitar Chords F, Fm, B7, B