Strum 4 Guitar Chords and Sing Along

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90 minutes

5 steps

·Beginner

After 90 min: You can play Em, Am, D, and G chords cleanly and strum along while singing a full song.

What you need

Acoustic or electric guitarGuitar tuner

The 90-Minute Plan

Finger placement for Em and Am0–12 min

Start with E minor: place index on 1st fret A string, middle on 2nd fret D string. Press down firmly. Play each string. Then A minor: index on 1st fret B string, middle on 2nd fret D string. Switch between them 10 times.

Add D and G major chords12–32 min

D major: index on 2nd fret D string, middle on 2nd fret high E, ring on 3rd fret B string. G major: index on 2nd fret A string, middle on 3rd fret low E, ring on 3rd fret high E. Practice the transition Em-Am-D-G slowly.

Master the basic strum pattern32–52 min

Learn this: down-down-up, up-down-up (one full beat per direction). Play it repeatedly on one chord (Em) until the rhythm is automatic and doesn't require thought.

Coordinate strumming with chord changes52–72 min

Change chords every 4 counts while maintaining the strum pattern. Em (4 beats), Am (4 beats), D (4 beats), G (4 beats). Do this progression 5 times. Your goal: smooth transitions with no dead beats.

Sing and play together72–90 min

Choose a simple song with these 4 chords (like 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'). Play the chord progression while humming, then add the lyrics. Record yourself. Confidence comes from repetition.

Pro Tip

Finger strength takes 2-3 weeks to build—don't fight pain or force it, but do push gentle discomfort.