Learn guitar from scratch gets much easier when you see the chord on the neck and something checks whether it came out clean. Dedilhado Vivo does both: it shows the diagram and the guitar neck with a color for each finger, and listens through the microphone to check that all the strings rang out.
First guitar chords for beginners
Start with these. With them you can already play along with lots of popular songs. The numbers are left-hand fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky); ○ is an open string and × is a string you don't play.
The order that works best for beginners
- Tune the guitar. Use the app's tuner, string by string, from the 6th (thickest) to the 1st. An out-of-tune guitar makes the chord sound wrong even with the right fingers.
- Right hand only. Strum the open strings in time with the metronome, downward, without pressing anything.
- One-finger chords. Small one-finger versions of C and G, so your hand learns the right strings.
- E minor and A minor. Your first full chords. Place one finger at a time.
- Change at your own pace. Switch between two chords slowly until it's automatic; only then use the metronome.
- First strumming pattern. Down, down-up, up-down-up: the pop strum.
The pop song progression: G, D, Em, C
G, D, E minor and C, in that order and on repeat, is the backbone of many popular songs. In the app this progression becomes an exercise with a metronome, and the microphone checks every change.
Guitar strumming patterns to start with
| Strumming | Drawing | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Four downstrokes | ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ | First strumming pattern, to lock in the beat |
| Pop | ↓ · ↓ ↑ · ↑ ↓ ↑ | The most used in popular music |
| Waltz (3 beats) | ↓ · ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ | Songs in 3/4 time |
| Offbeat (reggae) | · ↑ · ↑ · ↑ · ↑ | Upstrokes only, between the beats |
Why does my chord sound muffled?
It's almost always a neighboring finger touching the string below. Keep your fingers more curved, standing up, and press with the fingertip, right behind the fret. The app tells you which note of the chord "didn't ring", so you know exactly which finger to adjust.
Ready to play your first song?
Open the app, turn on the microphone and play along. It shows where each finger goes and tells you when the note is right.
Start guitar for freeFrequently asked questions
What's the first chord I should learn on guitar?
E minor (Em). It uses just two fingers, all six strings ring and it's the base for A minor, which has the same shape one string over.
How long does it take to learn guitar?
It depends on your pace, but with about 15 minutes a day many people can switch between 4 chords and play along with a simple song within a few weeks. A little practice every day beats an hour once in a while.
Is it normal for your fingers to hurt at first?
Yes. Your fingertips get sore in the first weeks and then build calluses. Take short breaks and practice several times for short periods.
Do I need to read sheet music to use the app?
No. In the chords section you follow the diagrams and the guitar neck. Sheet music shows up in the melodies and you learn to read little by little, watching the note light up.
Is Dedilhado Vivo free?
Yes. It works in your phone or computer browser, with nothing to install and no sign-up. A Google account is optional, just to save your progress.
Learn music theory
Free course in 12 lessons: musical notes, major scale, how a chord is built, seventh chords, diatonic chords e much more.