I'm a bit confused

I got my guitar about 2 months ago. It's an acoustic, I figured it'd be easier to learn with that, not to mention cheaper.


Anyway, I discovered this site yesterday, and it's great. Up until now, I'd been using another site that gave lessons. So far, I've learned 9 chords from it.

I figured I should start with the fundamentals, since I don't think I've learned a whole lot since I started (I sometimes go several days without playing, simply because I forget). Most of these videos are by Christopher Schlegel, who uses an electric guitar.

I was watching his video on the introduction to chords. He shows how to play a C major chord, which to him, is the index on the second string, first fret, and to strum both the 1st and 3rd strings open.

However, this is not the same as the C major chord I learned from this other site.

So, I'm looking to find out whether there is a difference between acoustic and electric guitars when it comes to chords, or if he's actually going to teach the one I learned a little later. The same goes for his G major chord.

Hope this makes sense.

Hey and welcome!

The 2 Guitar Fundamentals courses are indeed the best place to start.

Originally Posted by: DenerynnHowever, this is not the same as the C major chord I learned from this other site.[/quote]
Worry not. :) We start with a very simple version of the C major chord to get absolute beginners moving. Very soon the course will introduce the full, 5 string version of the C major chord you are probably more familiar with. Same for all the simple chords we start with.
[QUOTE=Denerynn]
So, I'm looking to find out whether there is a difference between acoustic and electric guitars when it comes to chords

No difference whatsoever. The notes are all in the same place on both types of guitar.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes for you, ask more when necessary. Best of success learning and playing. Have fun!

Thank you, that's very helpful. Clears up quite a bit.

And I did a few things so far. Others I already knew, or had figured out on my own (such as muting with the right hand, and occasionally with the left).

So does this mean we should forget about the simple chords once we learn the full chords? This has pretty much brought me to a halt as I am confused about the simple chords.

Thank you

Originally Posted by: kulagunSo does this mean we should forget about the simple chords once we learn the full chords?

No. You don't need to forget them. And you aren't forgetting them when you move from the simple version to the full chord.

This is because the simple version is just a small part of the full chord version.

Simple C major chord:
E |--0--|
B |--1--|
G |--0--|
D |-----|
A |-----|
E |-----|

Full C major chord:
E |--0--|
B |--1--|
G |--0--|
D |--2--|
A |--3--|
E |-----|

See we are just adding two more notes to the simple version to get the full version. Make sense? :)

There are many, many different ways to play any given chord on the guitar. We just started with the simplest possible versions so beginners could get some music happening as soon as possible. After that, we gradually increase the complexity of the content as the courses move forward.

Originally Posted by: CSchlegel

There are many, many different ways to play any given chord on the guitar. We just started with the simplest possible versions so beginners could get some music happening as soon as possible. After that, we gradually increase the complexity of the content as the courses move forward.

This is very true. One thing you are going to learn throughout your journey on the instrument is that chords are simply a collection of notes. Given the range of the guitar, and the possibility to play several notes in the same place; you can play every chord you can think of in many, many different ways. We all learn the same shapes in the beginning, and how you finger those can be done in different ways as well. As Christopher stated, most shapes are simply based on comfort and your fingers will gravitate towards the most logical shapes. However, in the beginning; I understand that nearly everything seems a little awkward.

Try out the shapes Christopher posted and keep in mind that on the guitar there are many, many ways to play every chord; some super easy, others more challenging. Below is a link to a tutorial I did on "Major Triads" that explain how to play some C major shapes that are easy to finger and might show you a few new ways to approach your instrument.

Best of Luck!

http://guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=12505&c_id=13&ch_id=78&s_id=646

I'm very much a rank beginner, but I do work in visual art too, and I'm discovering that chords, parts of chords, and notes are different colors and flavors.....if that makes sense? C can have a full or sparse sound and it affects what you are playing.