Which Finger Was That?

I am frequently asked about the best fingering for a particular chord. The answer is it depends. Most common chords have multiple fingerings that can be used according to the situation and level of the player. The fingerings I prefer for most common chords are diagrammed in the Chords section under Building Blocks.

One of the most important habits to develop as a beginner (if it’s not too late yet!) is to be consistent with the fingers you use in any given situation. By this I mean that once you are settled on which fingers you should use for a particular chord or passage, make sure to do it the same way every time.

A common mistake students will make might be to play a chord like Em sometimes with their 2nd and 3rd fingers and other times with their 1st and 2nd. Do not ever let this happen. A big part of learning to play the guitar is consistent repetition. The connection that your brain makes with your fingers must always follow the same path.