Guitar · Chapter 8 of 23
G, C and D: the Campfire Chords
With G, C and D you can accompany a huge number of songs. Add D7 and G7 and you have the classic sound of a cowboy waltz.
These three chords are a family. In the key of G, G is home, C is the step away, and D (or D7) is the chord that pulls you back home. Most simple songs in G use nothing else.
The three chords
G
Finger 2 on string 6 (3rd fret), finger 1 on string 5 (2nd fret), finger 3 on string 1 (3rd fret). Strum all six. Some players use fingers 3, 2 and 4 instead, which makes the move to C easier later; either is fine.
C
A staircase: finger 3 on string 5 (3rd fret), finger 2 on string 4 (2nd fret), finger 1 on string 2 (1st fret). Strum from string 5.
D
A small triangle on the top strings: finger 1 on string 3 (2nd fret), finger 3 on string 2 (3rd fret), finger 2 on string 1 (2nd fret). Strum only the top four strings.
Seventh chords: D7 and G7
A seventh chord adds one more note that makes the chord lean forward, wanting to move on. D7 pulls strongly toward G; G7 pulls toward C.
Listen: play D7, then G. The second chord sounds like arriving home.
Shortcut chords
If the full G is hard at first, play only the top four strings with one finger: string 1 at the 3rd fret, strings 2, 3 and 4 open. It’s a real G chord, just smaller. Move to the full shape when you can.
Remember
- G 320003, C x32010, D xx0232, D7 xx0212, G7 320001.
- In the key of G: G is home, C steps away, D or D7 leads home.
- A small one-finger G is fine to start.