As you begin learning to play the electric guitar, there are a series of essential guitar chords that every first-time player should practice and get under their fingers. These chords are called the “open position” chords, and are used in countless rock and roll classics written across decades.

You may be wondering, “what is an open position guitar chord?” Open position chords are a collection of chordal shapes or fingerings stationed between the guitar’s first and third frets, and are sometimes also referred to as “cowboy chords.”

In this online guitar lesson for beginners, Associate Professor of Guitar Performance at Berklee College of Music and ArtistWorks “Beginner’s Guide to Rock Guitar” instructor, Kevin Barry, outlines three of the most critical open position minor chords, A minor, E minor, and D minor. He’ll also show you how to play them in a sequence (or chord progression) that is commonly heard throughout dozens of classic rock tunes. After watching this lesson, you’ll be well on your way to playing some of your favorite rock ‘n’ roll hits!

“You’ve heard these chord voicings and even this chord progression in countless songs from every genre imaginable,” Kevin explains. “So, mastering them and really getting them under your fingers is important. That being said, it’s going to take a little bit of time to transition between each of these chord voicings comfortably. Remember to be patient, and kind with yourself. It’s all going to click!”

LEARN MORE: Want to learn how to play rock guitar from a master musician and Berklee College of Music Professor? Try some free online guitar lessons from Kevin Barry now!

Learning new chord voicings and getting comfortable with new fingerings can sometimes be tedious and even frustrating. If you encounter those feelings, don’t be afraid to stop, take a deep breath, and remember why you’re pursuing the instrument.

“We always want to retain the fun in learning,” explains Kevin. “It’s why we’re doing this. It’s why we learn music. Keep that in mind as you work through this exercise, and find ways to expand on it and make it more exciting once you get comfortable with the basics. Try to write or sing a melody over these chords, or experiment with different sounds. Just remember to have fun!”

To learn this classic progression and master these three pivotal minor guitar chords, dive into this online guitar lesson designed specifically for adult beginners from Kevin Barry:

Learn a Classic Minor Chord Progression with Kevin Barry:

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Have you always wanted to learn how to play rock guitar? Through our comprehensive beginner guitar lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn directly from Associate Professor of Guitar Performance at Berklee College of Music, Kevin Barry, and get personal feedback on your playing.

Kevin’s comprehensive course teaches all the fundamental beginner guitar basics to quickly get you playing your favorite classic rock tunes on the electric guitar. This is the perfect course for adult beginners and first-time players and will lead all students to grow and improve their skills as guitarists and musicians.

Try out some free sample music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!

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