Learning guitar can be incredibly rewarding, and it’s easier than you might think, especially when you start with the right approach. Many popular songs you love are built upon a foundation of simple guitar chords. If you’re looking for beginner-friendly songs to kickstart your guitar journey, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will show you how to play a variety of songs using just four basic guitar chords. Get ready to impress yourself and your friends!
The secret weapon? A fantastic four-chord progression that forms the backbone of countless hits. We call it the “Don’t Stop Believing” progression because of its prominent use in that iconic song. This progression is:
G Major – D Major – E minor – C Major
With these four chords, and a capo to adjust the key, you’ll unlock a treasure trove of songs. Let’s first take a look at how to play these essential chords.
Visualizing the Basic Chords
For beginners, seeing is believing. The images below illustrate how to position your fingers to play each of these fundamental chords.
G Major Chord Diagram
How to play G major guitar chord for easy beginner songs.
G Major: A bright and uplifting chord, G major is a cornerstone of popular music. To play it, place your middle finger on the 6th string (thickest string), 3rd fret, your index finger on the 5th string, 2nd fret, and your ring finger on the 1st string (thinnest string), 3rd fret. Strum all six strings.
E minor Chord Diagram
How to play E minor guitar chord, essential for beginner songs.
E minor: A melancholic yet beautiful chord, E minor adds depth and emotion. Place your middle finger on the 5th string, 2nd fret, and your ring finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Strum all six strings.
D Major Chord Diagram
How to play D major guitar chord, a fundamental chord in many beginner songs.
D Major: Another bright and cheerful chord, D major is incredibly versatile. Place your index finger on the 3rd string, 2nd fret, your middle finger on the 1st string, 2nd fret, and your ring finger on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Strum the top four strings (strings 4, 3, 2, and 1).
C Major Chord Diagram
How to play C major guitar chord, a simple and essential chord for beginner guitarists.
C Major: A warm and familiar chord, C major rounds out our progression. Place your index finger on the 2nd string, 1st fret, your middle finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret, and your ring finger on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Strum strings 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
Once you can comfortably switch between these chords, you’re ready to play some songs! A capo is a device that clamps down on the guitar strings at a specific fret, effectively shortening the strings and raising the pitch. It allows you to play the same chord shapes in different keys. For each song below, we’ll indicate if and where to use a capo.
Here are 12 popular songs you can play using this G-D-em-C chord progression:
1) “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
Capo on the 9th fret (Key of E Major)
This anthem uses our core progression exactly as listed: G-D-em-C. Place your capo on the 9th fret, and follow along to the iconic tune.
2) “With or Without You” – U2
Capo on the 7th fret (Key of D Major)
Another classic that utilizes the G-D-em-C progression. With the capo on the 7th fret, you’ll be playing in the key of D major, perfectly matching the song’s original key.
3) “Soul Sister” – Train
Capo on the 9th fret (Key of E Major)
“Soul Sister” keeps the verse progression G-D-em-C consistent. The chorus changes slightly, introducing a C-D-G progression, also easy for beginners.
4) “Let it Be” – The Beatles
Capo on the 5th fret (Key of C Major)
A timeless classic, “Let it Be” uses our familiar progression in the verses. The chorus shifts to an e-D-C-G sequence, still using the same chords, just in a slightly different order.
5) “Already Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
Capo on the 2nd fret (Key of A Major)
Kelly Clarkson’s power ballad fits perfectly with the G-D-em-C progression. Place your capo on the 2nd fret to play along in the key of A major.
6) “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
Capo on the 4th fret (Key of B Major)
“I’m Yours” is known for its laid-back vibe and simple chord structure. It primarily uses the G-D-em-C progression, with an occasional A major chord added for variation.
7) “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
Capo on the 2nd fret (Key of A Major)
This country classic utilizes the G-D-em-C progression beautifully. You might also encounter a D7 chord in place of D major sometimes, a slight variation that adds a country flavor.
8) “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line
Capo on the 3rd fret (Key of Bb Major)
“Cruise” brought country music to a new audience, and it’s surprisingly simple to play. The G-D-em-C progression is at its core, making it a fun and accessible song for beginners.
9) “Save Tonight” – Eagle-Eye Cherry
Capo on the 5th fret (Key of C Major)
“Save Tonight” uses the same four chords, but starts the progression in a different place: e-C-G-D. It’s a slight variation that shows how versatile these chords can be.
10) “Hey, Oh (Snow)” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Capo on the 4th fret (Key of B Major)
Even rock songs can be built on simple foundations! “Snow (Hey Oh)” also uses the e-C-G-D progression, demonstrating its adaptability across genres.
11) “Apologize” – OneRepublic ft. Timbaland
Capo on the 8th fret (Key of Eb Major)
“Apologize” is another example of the e-C-G-D progression in action. Its emotional melody is easily accessible with these basic chords.
12) “Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem ft. Rihanna
Capo on the 3rd fret (Key of Bb Major)
This powerful collaboration also relies on the e-C-G-D progression. It’s a testament to how fundamental and widely used these four chords are in popular music.
Learning these four basic chords – G major, D major, E minor, and C major – and understanding how to use a capo is your first big step in playing guitar. Practice these chords, explore these songs, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can start playing music you love. Happy playing!
