How to Play the A Chord | Guitar for Beginners

👉 Video Chapters
00:00 Avoid this finger placement to play the A chord
01:07 How to play the A chord with less finger pain
01:54 Best finger position to play the A chord
03:00 Make the A chord sound good
05:38 How to practice the A chord

💬 Get In Touch!

[captainhook]

I love the reassuring tip he throws in at the start, i know a lot of beginner guitarist needed that.

[Spudda]

man i just picked up a guitar for the first time in my life im 20 and ive always wanted to learn how to play and your tutorials make me feel like your talking to ME, everytime i say to myself how can anyone possibly do this you said "its okay to feel like this is impossible" you are gonna carry me sir and for that i thank you you deserve wayyy more than the views and subs you have <3 thankyou.

[smilvn]

i'm restarting my guitar journey and came back to this channel as i was learning by your videos 5 years ago. so happy to know that you're still around!

[bmpadv]

I remember fighting with all the unintentional muting mostly due to soft fingers as a newbie when I was 10. Yes it hurt and I always tell new players it’s going to hurt, so just keep playing and it will get better. I have never tried the A like that, but I will thanks. Going to be hard to not use the 3 string bar thought. Thanks Justin.

[scottwallace]

At 54, I am finally committing to learn guitar. And I have you to thank. I’ve spent three hours over the last two days just because your instruction is so clear. Thank you thank you thank you 🙏

[MidosujiSen]

This chord has been giving me depression 2 over the last week

[tryingwins]

Thanks a million for this enlightening well explained video. I am 60 starting to play guitar for the first time I have stuck at it. Justin I was about to give up on the A chord after watching your simple straightforward explanation I pick-up up my guitar and did what you said and I played an A chord on the first effort. I had reviewed many others on YouTube in the hope of success no one explained it the way you did thanks so much - I can now play an A chord

[johnmarron]

Hi Justin just want to take this opportunity to thank you so much you have given to us people out here .I have for years enjoyed learning new tunes of yourself and others..having played guitar for nearly 42 years now .I couldn't believe by trying this way having played so long on the 3 fingers together way how much easier it is. Tried it out on a james taylor track..absolutely lost for words how much easier it is ..so never to late to change..ps coming up a very young 68 lol..thank you so much again Justin..keep em coming..💪💪❤

[oleksandrbasov]

Justin, thank you a lot! I was struggling with A chord all my life. My fingers just didn't fit with the traditional (1 2 3) finger position. Just amazing!

[antonkoivisto]

Decided to start playing again since my 7 month year old son is goin crazy about the guitars on the wall and he's absolutely hypnotized when I play, he's very active so it's a miracle he's able to concentrate on anything.

Played guitar for 23 years on and off. Learned mostly by myself, before YouTube. There are huge gaps in my skills and knowledge. Didn't quite know where to start from since I know a little about this and that. Kept searching for the best lessons online and this guy's name just popped up everywhere.
Have to say, amazing videos, going start with the first lessons since I just learned how to play the A chord. Again after 23 years.

Keep up the good work!

[w.rustylane]

I use the last 3 fingers and it works well for me. This also helps me with my little finger getting used to being used.

[johnny]

Wow I always struggled with the open A major chord (I have bigger hand and I was unable to play the A chord "properly" - the traditional way - there were lots of buzzing and actually there wasn't enough space for my fingers) so I had to figure out a different finger position to play basic songs and I figured out the same finger position that I saw here... and always felt bad that I cannot play the basic A chord in the proper way so today I checked this video for maybe a good advice that help me with that... It actually helped, I don't feel bad anymore about this finger positioning! Thank you!

[jwhy]

Thank you.
So simple once you demonstrated it.
Just learning to play the guitar I have had for over 20 years.

[caudius]

Really appreciate your videos they are helping me fast forward my guitar playing

[JoeLibrizzi]

Thanks for this! I've been playing A this way for a few years and always felt a little embarrassed that I couldn't play it the "right" way.

[PreacherAtArrakeen]

Hmmm. One of the rare things my brother showed me on guitar was to make an A with with the first joint of my middle finger. I taught a few people to do it the same way, too. Worked fine for me for 46 (!) years, now, and is flexible to move to other shapes. Just a thought.

[kom]

I like using the last 3 fingers
Helps to change chords quickly
I didn't know an A chord could be played this way
Thanks Justin

[exotikinn]

You make explaining and instructions so clear that I was able to get it in the matter of 30 seconds, thanks!

[michaelfogg]

This guy Justin explains and demonstrates perfectly. He does not assume knowledge and shows you the good and the bad techniques so you can see and understand what you are doing wrong so you can correct your mistakes.

[zan]

I played guitar for a month basically, 5 years ago. Now I'm trying to actively learn it and this channel is a blessing. Also I'm fingers are really hurting lol. Thanks so much for this.