how to play plush on acoustic guitar

Mastering Plush on Acoustic Guitar: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Sarah YoungApril 1, 2026

Embarking on a musical journey with an acoustic guitar often begins with mastering basic chords and strums. One such chord that's both simple and versatile is the plush chord, also known as the open G chord. This chord is a great starting point for beginners and is widely used in many popular songs. So, let's dive into how to play the plush chord on an acoustic guitar.

The plush chord, or open G, is formed by using the open strings of your guitar. This makes it an ideal chord for beginners, as it doesn't require any fretting. Here's how you can play it:

Forming the Plush Chord

The first step is to place your index finger across the first fret of the first three strings (high E, B, and G).

Guitar Lesson: How To Play Plush - Acoustic - by Stone Temple Pilots

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Stone Temple Pilots - Plush - Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Next, strum all the strings except the low E string. This will give you the distinctive sound of the open G chord.

Finger Placement

Your index finger should be placed firmly across the first fret, pressing down on the first three strings.

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Ensure that your finger is not muting any strings that you don't want to sound. The thumb should be placed behind the guitar neck for support, not on top of the neck.

Strumming Pattern

Once you've formed the chord, you can strum it using a simple down-up pattern. This involves strumming all the strings downwards, then upwards.

You can experiment with different strumming patterns to add variety to your playing. For example, you could try strumming only the top three strings, or using a more complex pattern like down-down-up-up.

Plush Guitar Lesson - Stone Temple Pilots - Acoustic

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Using the Plush Chord in Songs

Now that you know how to play the plush chord, it's time to put it into practice. The open G chord is used in many popular songs, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to use it.

For example, you can use it in the intro to "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan, or in the verse of "Wonderwall" by Oasis. It's also a key chord in many blues songs.

Practice Tips

When practicing the plush chord, focus on maintaining a steady strumming pattern. This will help you build muscle memory and improve your timing.

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How to play Plush by Stone Temple Pilots

Also, try to keep your finger placement consistent. This will help you produce a clear, resonant sound when you strum the chord.

Graduating to Other Chords

Once you're comfortable with the plush chord, you can start to explore other open chords, like the open D and open C.

These chords are also easy to play and form a great foundation for your guitar playing. From here, you can gradually move on to barre chords and more complex chord shapes.

Mastering the plush chord is a significant milestone in your guitar playing journey. It's a versatile chord that's used in countless songs, and it's a great building block for more advanced techniques. So, keep practicing, and enjoy the process of learning and growing as a musician.