Five 1-Finger Chords

There are quire a few guitar chords that can be played using just one finger. Here are a few examples:

E Minor (Em):

  • Place your index finger on the second fret of the D (4th) string.

  • Strum all the strings.

G Major:

    • Place your ring finger on the third fret of the E (4st) string.

    • Strum from the D (4th) string down

G7:

    • Place your index finger on the first fret of the E (1st) string.

    • Strum from the D (4th) string down

C Major (easy variation):

    • Place your index finger on the first fret of the B (2nd) string.

    • Strum from the G (3rd) string down, avoiding the low E (6th), A (5th), and D (4th) strings.

A Major:

    • Place your index finger across the second fret of the D (4th), G (3rd), and B (2nd) strings.

    • Strum from the A (5th) string down, avoiding the low E (6th) string.

These chords are often used by beginners because they require minimal finger movement and can help build confidence and familiarity with the fretboard.

Let’s look at two songs that you can play with 1 finger chords

 

You can play Eleanore Rigby by the Beatles

Em                                                                                                       C

Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been

C          Em

Lives in a dream

Em                                                                                                        C

Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door

               Em

Who is it for?

 

 

All I Want is You by U2     

[Chorus 1]

            Em          Cadd9

But all the promises we make

         Em            Cadd9

From the cradle to the grave

     G     Cadd9     G    Cadd9    G    Cadd9

When all I want is you

 

 

###

My website: http://www.JohnTeachesGuitar.com
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/johnmcnicholas  
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnTeachesGuitar/  
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnteachesguitar/  
Threads - https://www.threads.net/@johnteachesguitar  
Mastodon - https://mastodon.world/@johnmcnicholas  
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmcnicholasmusic  

John Teaches Guitar Podcast
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3KxuMgf  
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RiySfY  
RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/529802/rss

Previous
Previous

A Two Chord Song - "When I Go Deaf" by the Band, Low

Next
Next

How to Construct a Major Scale: Waffle, Waffle, House, Waffle, Waffle, Waffle House.