Chord changes hero image

How to Improve Chord Changes on Guitar

When first starting out on guitar, simply fingering guitar chords is quite the challenge. Some fingerings are super awkward, making smooth chord transitions on guitar feel like an insurmountable task.

Minor CAGED system hero image of guitar

Minor CAGED System

If you’ve been exposed to at least a bit of guitar theory, you’ve most likely heard of the CAGED system. It’s a system that allows you to visualize the guitar fretboard by using common major chord shapes.

Easy acoustic guitar songs

52 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners

Nothing keeps you motivated to play the guitar quite like learning new songs, particularly when you’re first starting out. So, in this lesson I’ve compiled a list of 52 easy songs with guitar chords for beginners.

Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar on stage Marjut Valakivi / Public domain
Guitar player playing guitar chords by number
Guitar laying with guitar chord key chart in messenger bag

Guitar Chord Key Chart

Below is a guitar chord key chart the major and minor keys. A chord key chart outlines the diatonic chords, or the chords that naturally occur in a given key. Chord charts are useful when trying to figure out the key of a song.

John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers playing guitar Flickr photographer Chad Carson [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Man playing guitar chords

Chord Functions in the Major Keys

Chords within a given key have a function, or role they play within the key. Understanding these chord functions can help you understand why some chord progressions sound good while others sound not so good.

Applying arpeggios to guitar solos and fills