Warming Up with Chord Fingering

Guitar fingering is a very important issue to consider when playing guitar chords or guitar scales. What might be an easy, no strain set of finger placements could easily turn to nightmare if you don't pay attention to your guitar fingering. For instance, a lots of people would even use their thumb to grab the low E string when playing some guitar chord, G major for example. Although there are some extremely rare situations when you use your left thumb to press a bass string, a rule of a thumb is - not to use it!

Another common problem that beginners have is that they tend to avoid using pinky finger. Even when playing chords. Pinky finger is really important if you want to have an extensive library of chords that you can play. Different chord positions and variations exist mostly to make it easier to switch from one chord pattern to another, and without proper guitar fingering technique you will be limited to a rather small number of chords that you can actually play.

Problems are even greater when you come to learning some guitar scales and guitar solos. Brian May for instance is one famous guitar players that don't use his pinky a lot when soloing, but you should, really. Learn correct guitar fingering from the begining, starting with chord fingering.

As you'd probably guess, guitar fingering numbers mean the following:

1 - index finger

2 - middle finger

3 - ring finger

4 - pinky finger

When you see 'x' that means don't play that string at all, and 'o' means play this string open (without pressing it with either of your fingers).

MAJOR CHORDS
C major

D major

E major

F major

G major

A major
 









B major

 












MINOR CHORDS
C minor

D minor
 









E minor
 











F minor
 










G minor

A minor

B minor

These are the basic, fundamental chords to memorize. Make sure you learn them well, and do learn them with correct guitar fingering.
Learn and enjoy your playing!