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.

If you’re looking for engaging and enjoyable ways to teach your little one guitar chords, you’re in the right place. In this article we will explore some fun and easy methods that will make their learning journey a memorable one. If you would like to get a PDF of this article and some printable’s, you are in the right place!

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.

Check out how these fretboard markers help visual learners in the video below :

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.

Here we have a chord stamp, however it has been tilted to its side so it illustrates the left hand image above , looking down at your left hand fretting the guitar.

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. Just listen to the track a few times and you will get the hang of it.

BACKING TRACK

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. Some beats lasts 2 beats or 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 baets and bars take our free micro course 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. Download our Free Printables Here

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.

If you are you looking for additional resources to help your child learn guitar chords with ease, We have just the thing for you! Download our ebook, “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.