Putting It All Together

Put Everything You Have Learned Together!

If you have made it this far you have learned your G major, D major, C major and A minor 7 chords. You have also learned how to use your right hand to strum the guitar properly. Now it is time to put all of these things together to learn you first real chord progression.

One of the most difficult things for beginner guitar players to do is to change chords smoothly without stopping while they are strumming. That is what you are going to work on in this guitar lesson. Don’t get frustrated if you can’t play the entire chord progression all the way through without stopping. It takes some practice.

The chord progression that we will be using is G Major, D Major, A minor 7 and D Major. We are going to keep the strumming simple so that you can concentrate on changing chords smoothly. Strum the G major four times using downstrokes and move on to the D major. Strum the D major four times with four more downstrokes. Now change to an A minor 7 and play that four more times. Finish off the progression by playing a C Major chord four times.

Work on changing from chord to chord as smoothly a possible because you will be learning a more complex strumming pattern in the next beginner guitar lesson. Have fun!

This Lesson Has 78 Comments

  • slimkai says:

    Thank You Very Much for these videos. I’m not the fastest learner and i usually get discouraged early, but your videos are soooooooo very helpful. Thank you again for these great tutorials.

    • KEITH says:

      very impressed so far, i am just learning the guitar for less than two months and think that i am doing well because of these lessons

    • sourabh pandey says:

      same is my case also….it is very easy to learn guitar because of these lessons ..

  • marissa says:

    These lessons are absolutely amazing!!! Thank you so much for posting these! Quick question: what do you reccomend to help you change chords more quickly/smoothly? You rock!!!

    • Slash says:

      Hey Marissa, This depends on the song or your Choice!!!
      Enjoy and hope to see you come at a high level as me

  • Alexander says:

    I’ve had my guitar for several months and have just started finding time to practice. I don’t know where I would be without your video series. Appreciate the concise teaching my friend. :D

  • juan says:

    ty it was hard when i started but i got it it got easy iam on my last one i was using a rok axe electric guitar

  • juan says:

    i have hade my guitar for 4 years and have just be making stuff up all along

  • james says:

    i have my frist guitar came to day in the mail i pay $69.99 from musicians friend the name of my guitar is rogue rocketeer rr50 3/4 scale it is red my friend have a band called voice of proice christians band i help with the youth camp a lot win i see the band play i like to help but now i can i think you for your lesson it will help me a lot can you i holp i can know how to play before next summer camp for 2012 i will play it 12 hour a day until i get it right can you send me frist copy dvd on my hand i like to know the cost of it i will pay you in oct frist my address is JAMES KILDUFF PO BOX 146 CLAY CITY IL 62804

  • james says:

    i have my frist guitar came to day in the mail i pay $69.99 from musicians friend the name of my guitar is rogue rocketeer rr50 3/4 scale it is red my friend have a band called voice of proice christians band i help with the youth camp a lot win i see the band play i like to help but now i can i think you for your lesson it will help me a lot can you i holp i can know how to play before next summer camp for 2012 i will play it 12 hour a day until i get it right can you send me frist copy dvd on my hand i like to know the cost of it i will pay you in oct frist my address is JAMES KILDUFF PO BOX 146 CLAY CITY IL 62804

  • james says:

    62824 IS MY RIGHT ZIP CODES FOR ILL

  • Anthony says:

    i just got my guitar a month back and your viedos help me out alot so i wanted to ask are there any differences in changing cords on a electriic guitar?

  • poohbear says:

    this is amazing just tanken 4 lessons and really get it so far love this website!

  • Johnnie says:

    Found another mistake man. Sorry,but the first line in the third paragraph you say that we will be using D major, twice, when in fact i know that you meant to say C major one of those times. Just pointing it out so you can fix it.

  • devilsenpia says:

    aghhhh i cnt do it !!!!!

    • Megan says:

      Hello, I just wanted to say that I felt the same way.. And it is slowly getting easier. Every day for the past 4-5 days I start practising– I start by refreshing my mind with the 4 notes.. I put my fingers on the strings and strum.. take them off, do it again.. This is to build up the calluses on my fingers and to get my fingers in the routine of knowing where the my fingers should be without much thought.. That in itself was difficult because I have short, stubby fingers and it’s hard for me to stretch them to some of the notes– especially with putting my finger right above the fret and with using the tips of my fingers so it sounds right..
      Well, I still have trouble with this– I have memorized where my fingers need to go for each note, and can now get them in the right area, but am still having trouble getting my finger tips right above the fret so there isn’t a buzzy sound, and so I am not muting any of the other strings.. BUT, it is getting easier and I have already begun to improve.
      Hell, when I first learned C Major I couldn’t even get my fingers in the right spot– It was soo hard for me to get my 2nd finger in the right spot when playing A Minor 7, and now I had to get my 3rd finger to hold down another string.. I am still struggling with this, but it’s getting easier.. It’s much easier for me to get my second finger in place now.. The 3rd I am still having trouble stretching it to reach right above the fret.. I can only get it to the middle now, lol.. But, I know if I don’t give up I will continue to improve.

      It still takes me a couple seconds to switch between notes while practising this strumming exercise.. and sometimes I have to redo it because I didn’t hold a string down properly or something.. but I am already getting okay at it.. I couldn’t do it at all a couple days ago either– But I kept trying and it’s getting easier one bit at a time!

      The point of me telling you all this is to let you know that yes you can!! You might feel like giving up, but if you really want to learn guitar, don’t– just keep trying.. Watch these lessons– Rewatch lessons that contain information/techniques that you’re struggling with and practice, practice, practice!! If I can improve (slowly but surely), anyone can– Seriously!!

  • david says:

    this site is the best. I just got a new guitar,and i have seen this site and now i am learning.

  • manish says:

    u really r awesome…….i hve been trying to figure out things for the past couple of months but u made it so simple for me.

  • thampan says:

    woow you really good teacher

  • Solos says:

    My brother had a guitar laying on our room so many years and i decided to learn how to play… first day of playing guitar and i know how to play a song this is awesome thank you man you are great!! :D

    • Chourouk says:

      good job man. i congratulate you in oniiabtng your skills and abilities in playing the guitar. it must have taken a lot of hard work and dedication. thank you for playing this song.

  • prantik says:

    i can change chord smoothly, but my guitar doesn’t sound like ur one, what should i do nate??

  • derrick says:

    i got my gutar tuned and know the cords how do you hold your left hand
    do you keep your fingers on rhw cords

    • mahmoud says:

      there is two videos to help u
      1st : right hand guitar technique
      2nd : left hand guitar technique

      wish I helped

  • Jack says:

    This is so hard!!

  • Lucas says:

    Does this work the same way for electric guitar?

  • Donna says:

    So excited to find this site. I’ve been wanting to learn to play the guitar for many many years. Thank you so much for your site. Gonna get practising!

  • tintin says:

    Superb. Thanx Nate.

  • kathy says:

    i thik your videos are very helpful. now i know how to play the guitar.

  • AK says:

    Great tutorial.

  • Calvin says:

    Thanks you for a great guitar course.

  • ROCKSTAR says:

    Awesome… just too good…

  • Prathamesh says:

    nice n specific

  • mary ann says:

    Thanks very much Nate! You’re awesome:) Great help really….God Bless You!!!

  • Maahi says:

    very helpful..!!
    Loved it…!!!
    thankyou…!!

  • Boston says:

    the description was messed up, u sed d maj g maj a min 7 and d maj again

  • Devanshu Dhawan says:

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH NATE SAVAGE SIR……..
    U r an amazing teacher and a wonderful guitar player
    your lessons are really very cool and very easy to understand
    Thanx for all ur videos
    they r just awsm

  • paul ezra says:

    CHORDS really sounds good sir, thank you sooooo much sir, HARDWORK NEWER GOES AS WASTE :) B)

  • steve simon says:

    found guitar in trash with completly broken off head so repaired it and by the grace of GOD i am now learning to play it! i never dreamed i’d be playin guitar but am really gettin into it! thanks to you u and your site im learning where to begin! thanks!

  • James says:

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH NATE SAVAGE YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY HELPFUL. I’M 72 YEARS OLD, RETIRED AND LIVE ALONE. I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO OCCUPY MY TIME SO I BORROWED A FRIENDS GUITAR UNTIL I BOUGHT MY OWN. I’M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE SOUND OF THE GUITAR THAT YOU ARE USING TO GIVE THESE CORD LESSONS. COULD YOU TELL ME THE NAME AND TYPE OF GUITAR THAT YOU ARE USING?

    I WILL BE PURCHING THE (BEGINNERS GUITAR SYSTEM) AND I HOPE TO LEARN TO PLAY ON MY NEW GUITAR WHEN I BUY IT.

  • infinite says:

    Thank you so much dear teacher, it was helpful but, i have practice it very much to change the chords….

  • ur mom says:

    i have an electric guitar just asking if it works the same for electric guitars

  • Manish says:

    I love the way you teaches and because of you i have learned my beginner classes.

  • Zakk says:

    I’ve been a drummer for years and always used drumlessons.com
    They use the PRG and claim to have created it, guitarlessons.com use the PRG and claim to have created it, same with pianolessons.com………who really organized it first?

    Great lessons though!

  • Bryn says:

    Hey! These videos have really helped me! Thanks so much, I just had one question: what was the digital tuner you purchased on your phone called?

    • sammy says:

      Hey Bryn, i hope this helps you, i use a free app on my samsung galaxy called gstrings, really good and you have the choice of buying the full version too, but i find the free one is perfect for tuning. I got mine via google play store. Best wishes,
      Sammy.

  • Topper Taylor says:

    hey nate, am 56 yrs old and have always wanted to play guitar, tried many sites on line to learn, but yours is the first to really help me thanks alot man really like the way you teach, topper t

  • Melissa says:

    You have such a teaching gift. Loving the lessons.

  • Isaac says:

    I just got a new guitar today and ive been watching all the videos they are great! i have two questions though. will it matter at all if i have one less string on the guitar, and maybe give some more tips on how to move your fingers more smoothly on the strings. other than that your videos are great and high quality! Thanks! :D

  • zenish says:

    YO BRO youre cool man, and i learned every freaking thing that you taught me so far but you said that it takes like few months to get the whole thing and thats ridiculous man. I mean thanks to you for helping all this people but really few months thats a lot of days man.

  • Nichnich says:

    I’m willing to learn Guitar. I see the video inspiring me to learn more. However, I don’t own a guitar yet. I’m going to buy, but the problem is I don’t know which kind of guitar should I buy. All of guitar is the same? I don’t think so. How can I know which is good and fit me?

  • mahmoud says:

    Nate , guys I’ve got two questions
    1st : when I am not using a pig to play , do I strum with my nails or what ???

    2nd : I have to look to change chords is it wrong do I have to change them by not looking at them
    plz answer me as fast as u can :)

    • Glenny says:

      Hi i am not a pro guitarist but i somehow manage to play still on practice, the thing with which you strum the guitar its called “guitar pick”. And while not using the pick you can use the side of your thumb for a soft strum.

      Initially its not wrong to look at the fretboard while changing chords even i used to constantly look down and play, but as you practice your fingers would automatically know where to be placed. While playing a guitar try not to by-heart the chords position but feel it and play. Hope this helps :)

  • Chrys says:

    What song is this? He said at the beginning that he would tell us as a surprise at the end. Said he had a lot of requests for it… anyone know what song it might be?

  • josie says:

    i tuned my dads guitar by ear:o

  • venkyzz says:

    wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo its soo nice … felling good that even i know playng a guitar thank u :)

  • Erik says:

    thank you for the help. I got this guitar yesterday and I think Im getting the hang of it.

  • gursimran says:

    thanx …..-_-

  • spike says:

    thanks for your help all the way to this step i knew nothing about a guitar my dad just gave it to me but in one day i have learned a lot but how can i stretch my fingers it seems i just cant get my fingers right

  • Brooke says:

    Great lessons! Your enjoyable to watch! Your lessons are quick and informative! Superior job!!
    Thank you!

  • sarthak says:

    hey nate…your lessons are very helpful. thank you very much

  • chetana says:

    HI Nate, videos r really good Thank you for KT. I m trying this session from a week but it is really hard for me.Specially When I end one chord like G switch to another chord like D last strumming sound stop suddenly. And all the time I m looking @ neck of the guitar.Any suggestions

  • Denzel says:

    DO it work if you are using an electric guitar?

  • jen says:

    this site is AMAZING! I can’t believe how easy you made it for me! I’ve been intimidated for YEARS to learn how to play!

  • james says:

    Hi nate
    i dont know if you will answer this but every time i try to a chord that needs all 4 finger and is one fret apart i end up not doing it right ( not pressing hard enough)
    and i try and try but id doesn’t seem possible unless i concentrate and try hard if i do try hard in ends up takeing me about 30 seconds or so and when i try to play asong with that chord i end up getting stuck
    WHAT CAN I DO?
    please answer it would be a bunch of help :) ,
    james

  • david says:

    thanks friend because of ur lessons am interested in played guitar now which i had left in half 5 years ago
    thanks to u :-D

  • ty says:

    A minor 7 and c major sound identical

  • srinath says:

    thanks nate
    you are cool

  • chocomusic says:

    this online guitar lessons is sooooooooooo awsme.
    cant imagine i could learn guitar sitting at hme.
    thank you for such a good tuitor.

    thank youuuuuuuu.

  • sourabh pandey says:

    thank you sir …….and sure i am going to practice it for 100 times…

  • Morad says:

    Thank you, nice job !!!!!

  • Eugene Heatwole says:

    I have listend to the first set of beginner lessons and cant seem to be able to down load. I did the right click and followed directions of your comments. Help, I dont have internet at home as I live in the boonies here in Mexico, so Id love to download some info so when I get home I can practice. Please help.

  • Eugene Heatwole says:

    Oh and Nate, thanks. Your style of teaching is low key and relaxing and simple. In one sitting memorized the names of the strings. I hope all the lessons lead me to move along quickly. I am 55 and picking up a guitar for the first time. Got a Fender, Black lacquer basic but good enough for now. I wish to practice two hours per day, easy as i finish work at 1pm. I really want to learn to pick more than strum, but I know first things first, oh to have the fingers of Stevie ray…..

 
 

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