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Lesson 20 Intermediate Chapter III — Intermediate Skills

Guitar Chords G, B7, Em & D Major

G, B7, E minor, and D major are four chords that unlock an enormous new repertoire. Combined with the six you already know, you can now play virtually any song in folk, pop, and country music.

The G Major Chord

G major builds directly from the G7 shape you already know. Start by forming G7, then make one change: add your 4th (little) finger on the 1st string just behind the 3rd fret, and lift your 1st finger. The 2nd and 3rd fingers stay exactly where they were for G7.

Practise moving between G7 and G major several times until the small adjustment feels natural. G major has a fuller, warmer sound than G7 because all the strings ring freely without the tension that G7 creates.

⚠ Train Your Little Finger

Some beginners play G major without the 4th finger to make it easier. Do not do this. The 4th finger is essential for barre chords, advanced chord shapes, and lead guitar. Train it from day one — a few minutes daily builds strength quickly.

The B7 Chord

B7 is the most complex chord so far — it uses all four fingers. Place them like this:

  1. Finger 1 on the 4th string, behind the 1st fret
  2. Finger 2 on the 5th string, behind the 2nd fret
  3. Finger 3 on the 3rd string, behind the 2nd fret
  4. Finger 4 on the 1st string, behind the 2nd fret

Do not play the 6th string with B7. Strum from the 5th string downward. B7 has a bright, slightly tense character that naturally wants to resolve to E minor — just as G7 leads to C. You will find B7 and Em paired together in many songs.

✦ Practise B7 Daily

B7 may feel awkward at first because all four fingers are used simultaneously. Practise placing and lifting it several times at the start of every session. Within a few weeks it will feel natural.

E Minor (Em)

E minor is the simplest and most resonant chord you have learned. Just two fingers:

Strum all 6 strings freely. All six strings ring as part of the Em chord, giving it a rich, deep, full sound. Em is used constantly in rock, folk, classical, and virtually every style of guitar music.

D Major

D major uses only the top four strings:

Begin your strum on the 4th string — do not play the 5th or 6th strings. D major has a bright, high-register, joyful sound. It is one of the most commonly used chords in folk and pop music.

⚠ Never Confuse D and Dm

D major and D minor are completely different chords with very different sounds. D major (bright, happy) and D minor (dark, melancholy) appear similar in chord diagram form but use different fingerings. Always check the chord symbol carefully.

Chord Sequences to Practise

Key of G Sequence

G / Em / Am / D / G / C / D / G (four beats each). This sequence in the key of G underpins hundreds of folk and pop songs.

E Minor Sequence

Em / D / C / B7 / Em / Am / B7 / Em (two beats each). This moody sequence in E minor is classic for ballads and Spanish-influenced music.

What's Next?

Lesson 21 covers rhythm guitar playing in depth — the brush stroke patterns for 3 and 4 beat time that work for backing any singer or band, without bass notes.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about guitar chords g, b7, em & d major

G major builds from G7. Play G7, then add your 4th (little) finger on the 1st string at the 3rd fret. Lift your 1st finger (which was on the 1st string for G7) — the 2nd and 3rd fingers stay in position. The result is G major, which has a fuller, warmer sound than G7.

B7 uses all four fingers: finger 1 on the 4th string at fret 1, finger 2 on the 5th string at fret 2, finger 3 on the 3rd string at fret 2, and finger 4 on the 1st string at fret 2. Do not play the 6th string. Strum from the 5th string down. B7 has a bright, slightly tense sound and naturally leads to Em.

E minor is one of the easiest guitar chords — just two fingers. Place finger 1 on the 5th string at fret 2 and finger 2 on the 4th string at fret 2. Strum all 6 strings freely. All six strings ring in Em, giving it a rich, full, resonant sound used constantly in rock, folk, and classical guitar.

D major uses only the top four strings. Place finger 1 on the 3rd string at fret 2, finger 2 on the 1st string at fret 2, and finger 3 on the 2nd string at fret 3. Begin your strum on the 4th string and do not play strings 5 or 6. D major has a bright, open, joyful sound.

D major (bright, open) and D minor (dark, melancholy) look similar in diagram form but sound completely different. In D major, finger 2 sits on the 1st string at fret 2. In D minor, finger 1 sits on the 1st string at fret 1. Always check your chord name carefully — never confuse the two.

Yes — always use your little finger (finger 4) for G major. Some beginners avoid it because it is weak, but using all four fingers is essential for advancing beyond basic playing. The 4th finger is needed for many chords and techniques ahead. Build its strength now.