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Don’t be scared, chords are easy to learn. Below, in my caveman hieroglyphics, from my one working brain cell I will now pull out of my skull, an old chart of essential must know scales and chords. I’m not even sure where I learned it. It isn’t important where I learned it, these are must know things. I believe that no truer words were said about the chords and scales (written here) being mandatory must know items for you to become a successful guitar player. In fact, you may know some of them already. If you know them already then you know that I speak the truth.

Lets just say that Jimmy Page, SRV, Zakk Wylde and Slash use these scales and chords extensively. You trust them don’t you? I learned them one stage at a time and years later I still remember them instinctively. As you vibe in on this material it will become abundantly clear to you that you have heard them used a million times by your favorite players.

There are essentially two types of chords, Major and Minor. A G major chord is written as a “G”, a G minor chord is written as a “Gm.”

I want to keep this simple, there will be very little theory involved now, I just want you to remember the chords and names. Practice them until, if someone yelled “Em” you would instinctively put your left fingers on the correct frets and strum, and so on with each chord. It will take diligent practice and unbreakable focus to become proficient at them. I would be lying to you if I told you it would only take “two weeks” to start shredding. No one except Jimi Hendrix could shred in two weeks!
Stage 1 Open Chords: Learn these first. They all consist of chords that stay below the fifth fret. They are easy to learn and will sound familiar to you as you realize that they form the foundation for millions of songs.

Guide: Black notes are root notes. A root note is the name of the chord. The little numbers are where you press your fingers on the frets.

The x means don’t play that note/string. The o means play that string open, (unfretted).

Here They Are, Just Click The Chord: C D E F G A B7 Am Dm Em

Do you agree with me on the importance of these chords? Let me know what you think.

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Guitar Players Center  added Stage Two Chords to The Mandatory Chord Chart. Click Here and View.

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