1. Instant Guitar One-Finger Magic
A Course Of Instruction
For Learning
Basic Guitar Chords

2. Instant Guitar One-Finger Magic
Tuning Your Guitar
Tuning your guitar is important - no matter how good a player you are, if your guitar is out of tune you’ll sound bad! To learn the tuning notes, memorize this sentence - Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears. The guitar is tuned from the thickest strings to the thinnest –
E A D G B E

3. The best way to tune your guitar to these notes is with a battery powered guitar tuner, available at most music stores, or a free guitar tuning app for your cell phone.  

4. Getting Started

5. Learning to play guitar doesn’t have to be a daunting task
Learning to play guitar doesn’t have to be a daunting task. An easy way to begin learning real guitar chord shapes is to start with a Kyser capo. Using the Kyser capo upside-down, cover only three of the guitar’s strings - A, D, and G. This allows you to start playing beautiful sounding chords with just one finger!

6. To get started, place the capo on the 2nd fret of the guitar.

7. First Chords

8. The D Chord
Place your index finger on the G string 2 frets up from the capo and press down firmly. Strum all 6 strings.
Capo

9. X means to mute that string
The A Chord
Place your index finger on the D string 2 frets up from the capo and press down. Use your thumb to mute the low E string by simply touching the string. Strum all 6 strings.
X means to mute that string

10. Play Songs Now!

11. How To Strum The Chords In Songs
Sing the song and strum the chords as they occur
over the lyrics.

12. Mary’s Lamb D D A D Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little D D A
D D A
lamb, Mary had a little lamb it’s fleece
A D
was white as snow.
Press your finger firmly on the strings.
Strum lightly across all 6-strings.

13. The G Chord
Place your middle finger on the low E String 3 frets up from the capo and press down firmly. Let your middle finger fall back slightly and mute the A String. Strum all 6 strings. X
X = mute the string

14. More Songs To Play!

15. Amazing Grace D D G D Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, D D A D
that saved a wretch like me! I once
D G D
was lost, but now am found; was
D A D
blind, but now I see.

16. Happy Birthday! D A Happy birthday to you, A D D G
Happy birthday dear sweetie,
D A D
Happy birthday to you!

17. My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
D G D
My bonnie lies over the ocean, my
D G A D
bonnie lies over the sea. My bonnie
G D G
lies over the ocean, oh bring back
A D
my bonnie to me!

18. See if you can find more songs to play that use these 3 chords!
You’re On Your Way!
See if you can find more songs to play that use these 3 chords!

19. Try These Downloadable Song Brochures!
Campfire Guitar 1
Campfire Guitar 2
Hymns 1
Hymns 2
Christmas collection

20. Need help with your guitar playing or want more information
Need help with your guitar playing or want more information? Contact Case School of Music NOTE(6683) or