• Guitars – Purchase a guitar that is suitable for you. The type of guitar that you choose to buy is dependent on how much you are willing to spend and what type of music you want to play. You can pay less that $50 for a basic guitar or can pay upwards of thousands of dollars for some high quality or vintage guitars. Do you want to play an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar? Notable brands of acoustic guitars include Martin, Gibson, Guild, Seagull, and Taylor, while electric guitar brands include Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Yamaha, and Peavey.

• Chords – Purchase a guitar learning manual with pictures containing chords diagrams and how to place your fingers on the fretboard of the guitar. You can also get a chord dictionary or check online for chord diagrams. While there are hundreds of chords that you can learn once you become more advanced at guitar playing, it is best to start out with some basic and easy to learn chords, such as major chords in G, C, A, D, E, and F. Many songs contain only a few chords, so you can actually start learning and playing songs very quickly after learning some basic chords.

• Strumming – There are two general ways to strum a guitar: strumming by moving your hand in an up and down motion and finger picking. With the first method you play many or all of the strings of the guitar simultaneously, striking the strings with a guitar pick. You can strum the chords in many different combinations of upstrokes and downstrokes. For finger picking, you use the nails of your fingers to strike individual strings to create an “arpeggio” sound, in which individual notes are played in sequence. With both techniques, it is important to establish a consistent rhythm. When starting out, it is helpful to use a metronome or tap your feet to help you keep the tempo of the song.

• Songs – Learn some songs that contain only a few chords and are easy to play. When just starting out, play the songs slower than normal to make sure you have the correct finger positions of the chords and the correct strumming pattern down. Once you become more proficient and learn more chords, you can advance on to more difficult songs. Or better yet, grab a pen and paper and write some of your own songs.

Perhaps you are interested in pursuing a career in the music industry. For information on educational opportunities to help you achieve your career goals, click here.

Sources

Guitar Chords Magic (2012)

About.com (2012)

Album : Everybody Talks
Released : December 20, 2011
Format : Digital download
Recorded : 2011
Genre : Pop rock, dance-rock
Label : The Island Def Jam Music Group

Chords :

Capo 1

(D)Hey baby won’t you look my way
(G)I can be your new addiction
(D)Hey baby what you gotta say?
(G)All you’re giving me is fiction
(D)I’m a sorry sucker and this(G) happens all the time
(A)I found out that everybody talks
Everybody talks, everybody talks

Chorus:
It started with a (D)whisper
And that was when I(G) kissed her
And then she made my (A)lips hurt(G)
I could hear the (D)chit chat
Take me to your (F#m)love shack
Mamas always gotta (G)back track(A)
When everybody (D)talks back

Verse 2
(D)Hey honey you could be my drug
(G)You could be my new prescription
(D)Too much could be an overdose
All this (G)trash talk make me itchin
(A)Oh my mouth Yeah
Everybody talks, everybody talks
Everybody talks, too much

Chorus:
It started with a (D)whisper
And that was when I(G) kissed her
And then she made my (A)lips hurt(G)
I could hear the (D)chit chat
Take me to your (F#m)love shack
Mamas always gotta (G)back track(A)
When everybody (D)talks back

Brigde:
(G)Never thought I’d live
To see the (D)day
(G)When everybody’s words got in the (A)way

Solo: D D
(D)Hey sugar show me all your love
(G)All you’re giving me is friction
(D)Hey sugar what you gotta say?

Chorus:
It started with a (D)whisper
And that was when I(G) kissed her
And then she made my (A)lips hurt(G)
I could hear the (D)chit chat
Take me to your (F#m)love shack
Mamas always gotta (G)back track(A)
When everybody (D)talks back

(D)Everybody talks
Everybody talks
(G)Everybody talks
Everybody talks
(A)Everybody talks
(G)Everybody talks…(D)back

(D)It started with a whisper
(G)And that was when I kissed her

(A)Everybody talks
(G)Everybody talks…(D)back

Album : Tailgates & Tanlines
Released : February 13, 2012
Format : Music download
Genre : Country
Label : Capitol Nashville
Writer(s) : Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear
Producer : Jeff Stevens

Chords :

Capo II

Cadd9 G D x2

(Em7)Cotton wool fallin’ like snow(Cadd9) in (G)July
(D)Sunset, riverside, 4 wheel drive
(Em7)and a tail light (Cadd9)circle
(Em7)Roll down the windows turn it(Cadd9) on (G)up
(D)Pour a little crown in a dixie cup
(Em7)Get the party, (Cadd9)started

(Cadd9)Girl you make my (G)speakers go BOOM BOOM
(D)Dancin’ on the tailgate in the (Em7)full moon
(Cadd9)That kinda thing makes (G)a man go mmm(D) mmm
(Cadd9)You’re lookin’ so good in what’s (G)left of those blue jeans
(D)Drip of honey on the money make it (Em7)gotta be
(Cadd9)The best buzz I’m (G)ever gonna (D)find
Hey I’m a (Cadd9)little drunk on you
(D)And high on summertime

G D

(Em7)If you aint a 10 you’re(Cadd9) a (G)9.9
(D)Tippin’ n’ spillin’ that home made wine
(Em7)On your tied up (Cadd9)T-shirt
(Em7)Every little kiss is drivin’ (Cadd9)me wild(G)
(D)Thrown little cherry bombs into my fire
(Em7)Good god all (Cadd9)mighty

(Cadd9)Girl you make my (G)speakers go BOOM BOOM
(D)Dancin’ on the tailgate in a full(Em7) moon
(Cadd9)That kinda thing makes a (G)man go mmm(D) mmm
(Cadd9)You’re lookin’ so good in what’s (G)left of those blue jeans
(D)Drip of honey on the money make it gotta (Em7)be
(Cadd9)The best buzz i’m (G)ever gonna (D)find
Hey, I’m a little(Cadd9) drunk on you
(D)And high on summertime

Cadd9 G D x2

(Cadd9)So let’s slip on out where it’s a little bit darker
(Cadd9)And when it gets a little bit hotter
(Cadd9)We’ll take it off all out in the water

(Cadd9)Girl you make my (G)speakers go BOOM BOOM
(D)Dancin’ on the tailgate in a (Em7)full moon
(Cadd9)That kinda thing makes a (G)man go mmm (D)mmm
(Cadd9)You’re lookin’ so good in what’s (G)left of those blue jeans
(D)Drip of honey on the money make it gotta(Em7) be,
(Cadd9)The best buzz i’m (G)ever gonna (D)find
Hey I’m a (Cadd9)little drunk on you
(D)And high on summertime

Cadd9 G D

Album : The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond
Released : March 20, 2012
Genre : Soundtrack
Label : Universal Republic, Mercury
Writer(s) : Taylor Swift
Producer : T-Bone Burnett

Chords :

Standard Tuning
No Capo

*Single strums
(G*)Everybody’s waiting
(D*)Everybody’s watching
(Em*)Even when you’re sleepin’
(C*)Keep your ey-eyes open(G) (D) (Em) (C)

(G)The tricky thing
Is yesterday we were just(D), children
Playing soldiers just (Em)pre-tending
Dreaming dreams with happy(C) endings

(G)In backyards,
Winning battles with the(D), wooden swords
But now we’ve stepped into a(Em), cruel world
Where everybody stands and(C), keeps score
Keep (D)your eyes open

(G)Everybody’s waiting for you to breakdown
(D)Everybody’s watching to see the fallout
(Em)Even when you’re sleepin’, sleepin’
(C)Keep your ey-eyes open(G)
(D)Keep your ey-eyes open(Em)
(C)Keep your ey-eyes(-mute) open(G)

(G)So here you are
Two steps ahead and staying(D), on guard
Every lesson forms a(Em), new scar
They never thought you’d make it(C), this far
(G)But turn around
Oh, they surrounded you, it’s(D), a showdown
And nobody comes to (Em)save you now
But you got something they don’t(C)
Yeah, you got something they don’t
You just gotta keep (D)your eyes open

(G)Everybody’s waiting for you to breakdown
(D)Everybody’s watching to see the fallout
(Em)Even when you’re sleepin’, sleepin’
(C)Keep your ey-eyes open(G)
(D)Keep your ey-eyes open(Em)
(C)Keep your ey-eyes

Keep (D)your feet ready
(Em)Heartbeat steady
(C)Keep your ey-(D)eyes open
Keep (Em)your aim locked
The (C)night grows dark
Keep(G) your ey-(D)eyes open

(G)Keep your ey-eyes open
(D)Keep your ey-eyes open
(Em)Keep your ey-eyes open
(C)Keep your ey-eyes open

(G)Everybody’s waiting for you to breakdown
(D)Everybody’s watching to see the fallout
(Em)Even when you’re sleepin’, sleepin’
(C)Keep your ey-eyes open(G)
(Keep your ey-eyes open(D))
Keep your ey-eyes open(Em)
(Keep your ey-eyes open(C))
Keep your ey-eyes open(G-once)

Album : Brokenhearted
Released : February 7, 2012
Format : Digital download
Recorded : Fall 2011
Genre : Dance-pop
Label : Epic
Writer(s) : Amy Heidemann, Nick Noonan, Claude Kelly, Emily Wright, Henry Walter, John Hill, Richard Head
Producer : Cirkut

Chords :

Intro: E C#m A B E

Verse 1:
This(E) is more than a typical kinda (C#m)thing
Felt the joints in my bones where you were touching (A)me, oh oh
Didn’t(B) want to take it slow(E)
In(E) the days, going crazed, I can barely think(C#m)
You’re replaying in my brain, find it hard to (A)sleep, oh oh
(B)Waiting for my phone to blow(E)

(E)Now I’m here in a sticky situation
(E)Got a little trouble, yep and now i’m pacin’
Five(C#m) minutes, ten minutes, now it’s been an hour
(C#m)Don’t wanna think too hard, but i’m sour
(A)Oh oh, I (B)can’t seem to let you go(E)

Chorus:
(E)See i’ve been waiting all day
For you to call me baby(C#m)
So let’s(A) get up, let’s get on it
Don’t you (B)leave me broken hearted tonight(E)
(E)Come on, that’s right
(E)Honest baby i’ll do
Anything you (C#m)want to
So can we (A)finish what we started
Don’t you (B)leave me broken hearted (E)tonight
Come on, that’s right

Uh cheerio

Verse 2: (same as verse 1)
What’s the time, such a crime
Not a single word, sipping on a patron
Just to calm my nerves, oh oh
Poppin’ bottles by the phone
Oh yeah
Act me up, pat me down, turn me inside out
That’s enough, hold me up
Maybe i’m in doubt, oh oh
Now don’t even think you know, no no

[chorus]

Verse 3:
Anything you wanna do, i’ll be on it too
Everything you say, it’s like a gold with a view
Business on the front, party in the back
Maybe I was wrong, was the outfit really wack
This kinda thing doesn’t happen usually
I’m on the opposite side of it, truthfully
I know you want it so come and get it

Uh cheerio

[chorus]

Outro:
(E)When you gonna call
(E)Don’t leave me broken hearted
(C#m)I’ve been waiting up
Let’s finish what we started, oh(A) oh
(B)I can’t seem to let you go(E)
Come on, that’s right

Album : Somethin’ ’bout A Truck
Released : September 26, 2011
Format : Music download
Genre : Country
Label : MCA Nashville
Writer(s) : Kip Moore, Dan Couch
Producer : Brett James

Chords :

Standard Tuning

Power Chords Used:

B F# E Ab
e—x—x—-x—x–|
B—x—x—-x—x–|
G—4—x—-x—x–|
D—4—4—-2—6–|
A—2—4—-2—6–|
E—x—2—-0—4–|

Intro:
B E B F# B

Verse:
Something about a (B)truck in a farmer’s (E)field
A no trespass (B)sign, you got time to (F#)kill
Nobody’s gonna get (B)hurt, so what’s the big (E)deal
Something about a (B)truck (F#)in a farmer’s (B)field

Something about (B)beer sitting on (E)ice
After a long hard (B)day makes it taste just right(F#)
On that dropped tailgate(B) on a summer (E)night
Something about (B)beer (F#)sitting on (B)ice

Something about a (B)girl in a red sundress(E)
With an ice cold (B)beer pressed against her (F#)lips
In that farmer’s (B)field, will make a boy a (E)man
Something about a girl(B) (F#)in a red sundress(B)

Something about a (B)kiss that’s gonna lead to (E)more
On that dropped tailgate(B), back behind the corn(F#)
The most natural (B)thing, you’ve ever felt (E)before
Something about a (B)kiss (F#)that’s gonna lead to (B)more

Chorus
Something about a (B)truck in a field and a (Ab)girl in a red
sundress(E) with an ice cold (E)beer to her lips
(B)Begging for another (F#)kiss
Something about (B)you and me and the birds(Ab) and the bees
And (E)Lord have mercy it’s a (E)beautiful thing
Ain’t (B)nothing about it (F#)luck, something about a (B)truck

Something about a (B)creek around (E)2 am
After a few of those (B)beers you wanna dive on (F#)in
You don’t need no (B)clothes, just hang em on a (E)limb
Something about a (B)creek (F#)around 2 (B)am

Chorus
Something about a (B)truck in a field and a (Ab)girl in a red
sundress(E) with an ice cold (E)beer to her lips
(B)Begging for another kiss(F#)
Something about (B)you and me and the (Ab)birds and the bees
And Lord(E) have mercy it’s a (E)beautiful thing
Ain’t (B)nothing about it (F#)luck, something about a (B)truck
Ain’t (B)nothing about it (F#)luck, something about a (B)truck

Album : My Kinda Party
Released : February 6, 2012
Format : Music download
Recorded : 2010
Genre : Country
Label : Broken Bow
Writer(s) : Neil Thrasher, Michael Dulaney
Producer : Michael Knox

Chords :

Standard Tuning
No capo

Begginning Part:

e|—7——|
b|—–8—-|
g|——-7–|
d|———-| X 5
a|———-|
E|———-|

Verse:

G G Dsus2

A couple (G)guys in first class on a flight
From new York to Los Angeles(Bm),
Kinda making small talk killing time,
Flirting with the flight attendants(C),
30, 000 feet above, (Am)could be Oklahoma,
Just a (G)bunch of square cornfields and wheat farms,
Man it all looks the (Bm)same,
Miles and miles of back roads and highways,
Connecting little towns with funny (C)names,
Who’d want to live down there (Am)in the middle of (D)nowhere,

Chorus:

They’ve never (Em)drove through Indiana(C),
Met the men who (G)plowed that earth,
Planted that seed, (D)busted his ass for you and (Bm)me,

Or caught a (Em)harvest moon in (C)Kansas,
They’d understand (D)why god made those fly (C)over states

Verse:

(G)I bet that mile long Santa Fe freight train engineer’s seen it (Bm)all
Just like that flatbed cowboy stacking US steel on a 3-day (C)haul
Road and rails under their feet
(Am)Yeah that sounds like a (D)first class seat

Chorus:
On the (Em)plains of Oklahoma(C)
Where the (G)windshield sunset in your eyes
Like a (D)watercolor painted (Bm)sky

You’d think (Em)heavens doors have (C)opened
You’ll understand (D)why god made
Those fly (C)over states

[solo]

Take a (Em)ride across the (C)badlands
(G)Feel that freedom on your face
(D)Breathe in all that open (Bm)space

Meet a (Em)girl from Amarillo(C)
You’ll understand (G)why god made
Why you’d want to (C)plant your stakes
In those fly (D)over states

Album : Chief
Released : February 21, 2012
Format : Music download
Genre : Country
Label : EMI Nashville
Writer(s) : Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell
Producer : Jay Joyce

Chords :

[Intro] D , G

(D)To this day when I hear that song, (D)I see you standing there on that lawn
(G)Discount shades, store bought tan, (Bm)flip-flops and cut(Asus2) off jeans
(D)Somewhere between that setting sun, (D)I’m On Fire and Born To Run
(G)You looked at me and I was done (Bm)but we were just getting (Asus2)started

(D)I was singing to you, you were singing to me
(D)I was so alive, never been more free
(G)Fired up my daddy’s lighter and we sang (Bm)oh(Asus2)

(D)Stated there till the forced us out
(D)We took the long way to your house
(G)And I can still hear the sound
(Bm)Of you saying don’t go(Asus2)

[Chorus]
(D)When I think about you
(Asus2)I think about 17
(Bm)I think about my old Jeep
(G)I think about the stars in the sky
(Bm)Funny how a melody (Asus2)sounds like a memory
(D)Like a soundtrack to a (G)July (D)Saturday night(Em)
(D)Springsteen(G)

If I bumped in to you by happenstance
You probably wouldn’t even know who I am
But if I whispered your name, I bet there’d still be a spark
From back when I was gasoline and this old tattoo had brand new ink
And we didn’t care what your mom would think ’bout your name on my arm

Baby is it spring or is it summer
The guitar sound or the beat of the drummer
You hear sometimes late at night on your radio
Even though you’re a million miles away
When you hear Born In The USA
Do you relive those Glory Days from so long ago

[Chorus]
When you think about me
Do you think about 17
Do you think about my old Jeep
Think about the stars in the sky
Funny how a melody sounds like a memory
Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night
Springsteen, Springsteen

[Same chords as verse]
Whoah oh oh oh

Funny how a melody sounds like a memory
Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night
Springsteen, Springsteen
Oh Springsteen

Album : I Won’t Give Up
Released : January 3, 2012
Format : Digital download
Recorded : 2011
Genre : Pop
Label : Atlantic
Writer(s) : Jason Mraz, Michael Natter

Chords :

Capo on 2nd

When I look into(G) your(D) eyes
It’s like watching the (G)night (D)sky
Or a beautiful(G) sunrise(D)
There’s so much they hold(A)
And just like them (G)old (D)stars
I see that you’ve come(G) so (D)far
To be right where (G)you (D)are
How old is your (A)soul?

I won’t give(G) up on us(D)
Even if the (Bm)skies get (A)rough
I’m giving you (G)all my love(D)
I’m still looking (A)up

And when you’re needing (G)your (D)space
To do some (G)navigating(D)
I’ll be here (G)patiently (D)waiting
To see what you find(A)

‘Cause even the(G) stars they(D) burn
Some even (Bm)fall to the earth(A)
We’ve got a (G)lot to learn(D)
God knows we’re worth it(A)
No, I won’t give (G)up

I don’t wanna(G) be someone who walks(G) away so (G)easily
I’m here to stay(G) and make the difference that (A)I can make
Our differences(G) they do a lot(G) to teach us how to use(G)
The tools and gifts we got(G) yeah, we got a lot at (A)stake
And in the (C)end, you’re still my (C)friend at least we did intend
For us to work(C) we didn’t break, we didn’t burn
(A)We had to learn(A) how to bend(A) without the world caving in
(C)I had to learn(C) what I’ve got, (C)and what I’m not
And who I (A)am

Then Chorus 3x

Album : Tonight Is The Night
Released : September 23, 2011
Format : Digital download
Recorded : 2011
Genre : Pop, dance-pop, electro hop, new wave, alternative hip hop
Label : Warner Bros. Records

Chords :

Intro: (one bracket is one measure)
( Em D ) ( G ) ( C ) ( C )
( Em D ) ( G ) ( C ) ( C D )

(Em)I’ve been (D)feeling real good, (G)came a long way from misunderstood
(C)Far away from the days where I wouldn’t wanna go home cuz I was afraid of the truth
(Em)See I was (D)scared to admit (G)that failing was in the back of my head
(C)Comes a point when lying no longer works so you have to stand up for how you want to
live (hey! hey! hey! hey!)

[Chorus:]
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night that were losing control
((C)ooh woah-oh-woah-oh, ooh woah-oh-woah-oh)
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night we set it (C)off(D)

Everybody go
(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea

(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea(C) (D)

[Verse 2:]
And I don’t know better but as far as I came it felt like forever,
Seconds turn to hours days turn to months another year pass by but don’t feel like much
So if I got one chance, motherfucker I’ma make yall dance
I’mma have as much fun as I can and figure out the rest when I etch out a plan

[Chorus:]
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night that were losing control
((C)ooh woah-oh-woah-oh, ooh woah-oh-woah-oh)
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night we set it (C)off(D)

Everybody go
(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea

(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea(C) (D)

[Bridge:]
(Em) (D)I’m feelin (G)better than I ever thought, (C)it’s possible but now I know
(Em) (D)I’m feelin (G)better than I ever did, (C)impossible don’t exist
(Em)Impossible (D)don’t exist(G) (C)

Everybody go
(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea

Everybody go
(Em)wooh wooh (D)ooh ooh ooh
(G)wooh wooh ooh ooh ooh
(C)yea, yea, yea, yea

[Chorus:]
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night that were losing control(C)
(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night we set it (C)off

(Em)Tonight is the (D)night is the(G) night that were losing control(C)
(Em) (D) (G) (C)
(D)Tonight(G) is the night is the night we set it off