G, C, and Em

Lesson

Round out the cowboy chords

G, C, and Em are the next three you need. Together with E, A, and D, you can play almost any folk, country, or simple rock song.

G major

• 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string
• 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
• 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string
• Strum all six strings.

C major

• 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the A string
• 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• 1st finger on the 1st fret of the B string
• Strum strings 5–1 (skip the low E).

E minor

• 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
• 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• Strum all six strings.

Em is the easiest chord on the guitar — only two fingers — but every metal song ever written sits on it.

The "four chord song" loop

G – D – Em – C is the most-used progression in popular music. Play it round and round at 70 BPM, two strums per chord, until the changes are clean. Then try it as the chorus of any song you know.