12 Easy Guitar Cheat Chords for Beginners

While learning the guitar and trying to wrap your head around all the different guitar chords, you may feel slightly overwhelmed. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. To make your life easier, one of our expert guitar teachers Jerry W. put together this list of cheat chords. Cheat chords are easier to play, and in many cases, sound more interesting than the original chords.

In reality, you’re not actually cheating when you play these chords. Cheat chords are simply altered chords that are easiest to play, and can be played in place of the original chords. Once you’re comfortable with playing cheat chords, advance to original, yet easy and basic guitar chords.

The chords are listed under the keys where they work best.

Key of C

G Simplified

When you see a G, you often use this fingering instead of the traditional fingering. You can play it with only two fingers and it sounds cleaner.

Make sure your finger (that’s fretting the low note) is laying down just enough to play the low G and dampen the A string.

Am7

When you see an Am chord, try to play an Am7. It has a fuller sound, and once again, you only need to use two fingers.

Here is a chord progression that uses these two chords with C.

Key of G

The Am7 also works well in this key. In addition, try these two chord alterations:

G Altered Fingerings

This is very similar to the traditional G fingerings, but adds a fretted D on the B string in order to make it easier to transition between chords.

The key to this fingering is how easily it leads to the next two chords because of the pivot fingers on the high G and B string, which never have to move.

C (add9)

The C(add9) works well to replace the C chord in the key of G. It has a fuller sound and it leads beautifully to the G chord with the altered fingering.

Dsus Chord

The Dsus chord is a good replacement for the D chord. You need to listen to make sure it doesn’t clash with the melody, but when it works, it makes for a simple transition between the C (add9) and G, because you never have to move your pinky and ring finger.

This cheat chord can also add a lot of interest to your strumming if you move from the Dsus and D. In other words, the chord chart might only have a D written, but you could play a Dsus going to a D, to make the music sound more interesting.

Here is a chord progression that uses these new easy guitar chords.

Key of D

The G simplified also works well in the key of D.

Here are two more chords to try:

A2 Chord

The A2 chord works as a very simple replacement for the A chord in the key of D. It only takes two fingers, and it has a nice open sound with a little extra color.

D2 Chord

The D2 can replace any D chord. Again, it’s easy to play since it uses only two fingers.

Here’s a chord progression that uses these chords. Notice you never have to use more than two fingers on any of these easy guitar chords.

Key of A

D2 and A2 will also work well in this key. Here’s another chord to try in the key of A.

F#m13

This is a little easier to play than the F#m7, and you can use it to replace the F#m chord or F#m7 chord. It’s a little more muddy sounding, so you’ll have to decide if you like it or not. I think that in the middle of a song, it sounds fine and is easy to play.

Here is a chord progression that uses these chords.

Key of E

The A2 chord works well in this key. If you add these three chords, you can play a  full chord progression using only two or three fingers. Use the same finger position for all three of these chords.

E Open Version

Notice this chord is played at the 7th fret. By playing this version of E, you’ll find that the rest of the progression flows naturally. Learn more about Open E, D, and G alternate tunings.

You can also use the normal E, but this gets your fingers into position for the other chords. Also, it has a wonderfully big, open sound.

Bsus

Use the three-finger position (from the E above) to play the Bsus. It’s a good replacement for the B chord, as long as it doesn’t clash too much with the melody line. Once again, it’s much easier to play since it doesn’t require a barre chord.

C#m7

Here’s one more chord you can play with the same finger shape. Notice it’s played at the 4th fret. It’s a good replacement for the C#m chord, and like the Bsus, much easier to play.

Here is a chord progression that uses these chords.

Bonus

Two easy-to-play jazz chords.
These last two bonus chords have a nice jazzy feel, and they’re easier to play than the normal versions. Use them to replace the F and C chords when you want a more dissonant jazz sound.

Fmaj7

Cmaj7

Here is a chord progression that uses these chords.

So now you know 12 easy guitar chords. With these cheat chords and a capo, you should be able to play in any key, and in many cases, you can play with only two fingers!

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