Fun and Easy Ways to Teach A Child Guitar Chords

Learning guitar chords can be tricky for beginners especially anyone with tiny fingers. However there are a few ways to teach a child guitar chords which can be very effective. Introducing kids as young as 5yrs of age is a great idea as it hones their cognitive and motor skills. 

Here’s three great tips to get started. 

Half Chords A Great Starting Point

For young learners, starting with “half chords” using the top three strings can be a fantastic approach. These simplified chords are easier for little fingers to manage and a great way to build confidence. The right hand strums from the G string and the only 1 finger is needed from the left hand. They can expand on these later and learn full chords.

The image above is a chord stamp laid on its side like an arial view looking down at the guitar.

Fretboard Markers Can Help Visual Learners

The Fast Track Fretboard System helps youngsters see the neck of the guitar. We like to call these training wheels for the guitar as just as they go on, when the time is right they easily come off. 

Backing Tracks - Grooving with Rhythm

Introduce your child to the wonderful world of rhythm by using fun backing tracks. These tracks offer simple strums with only two chords, which encourages playing in time from the outset. Understanding timing and counting bars is a crucial building block for any musical instrument.

The following strumming exercise is played to a backing track over 2 bars. There are 4 beats in each bar. The green pick indicates to strum down on that beat. Beat 3 is a half note ( not coloured in pick ) – this note lasts for 2 counts.

Nursery Rhyme Jams - Strum and Sing Along

Utilise familiar nursery rhymes and songs, such as “Mary Had A Little Lamb” to make chord practice more enjoyable. As long as chords are kept simple (only two required in this example), this method encourages singing as you strum. It’s a great way for kids to discover how chords and rhythm provide backing for a melodic instrument such as the voice. 

Lyric Sheet With Chords

Here’s the lyric sheet with chords above the words, this is ok for more experienced players but not great for counting beats and bars.

Chord Chart

This is  a chord chart which indicates when to strum. Most music is in whats called four four time. You will notice the 2 number fours stacked at the eginning of the music. This tells us there are 4 beats in each measure or bar. Just strum down on each beat.

In this example Some beats lasts 2 beats and some for 4 beats. 

Chord Chart With Words

This is a chord chart however this time we have added the lyrics as well. Notice how some words are split in half to accomodate the rhythm. If your still struggling with rhythm or understanding what beatts and bars take a FREE look at our introductory lessons here

Visual Aids

Kids are visual learners, so colorful chord charts and posters can be their best friends. Hang these visual aids in their practice area, making it easier for them to reference and practice chords.

Creative Chord Names

Give chords fun and imaginative names to make them more relatable. For example, turn G major into “Ghost” and C major into “Caterpillar.” This not only makes chords easier to remember but also adds a touch of playfulness to their practice.

Teaching your child guitar chords should be a delightful experience for both of you. These fun and easy methods not only make the learning process enjoyable but also create lasting memories. Whether it’s playing along to the  backing tracks to groove with rhythm, or strumming along to nursery rhymes, you’re nurturing their love for music and opening the door to a world of creative possibilities.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PRINTABLE PDF BOOK

If you are you looking for additional resources to help your child learn guitar chords with ease, We have just the thing for you!  “Easy Chords For Tiny Fingers,” designed to make chord learning kid-friendly. This ebook includes easy-to-follow lessons and fun printables, all aimed at nurturing your child’s passion for music. The first half of book is in full colour; Remember to print out pages 21-31 for Black and White