This chart presents open chords that are suitable for new guitarists to get started playing songs quickly and effortlessly. These basic chords provide you with the essential foundation you’ll need to start creating songs!
On a guitar chords chart, numbers 1 through 3 represent your index finger; 2 indicates middle finger usage and 3 represents ring finger usage. An X indicates string that should not be played/muted.
1. CAGED
CAGED is a system for memorizing five open major chord shapes and their associated fretboard locations, which once learned can be used to form any major chord in any key.
These chord shapes can be moved up or down the fretboard without changing their sound; for instance, moving G shape up one fret changes it to C# chord and two frets up makes D chord.
This feature can be useful for both rhythm and lead players, and shifting these shapes allows you to play triads.
2. G Major
G major is an exceptionally popular key in all forms of music, as evidenced by classic songs like God Save The Queen and Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door as well as many genres like country, rock, pop and classical.
Beginner guitarists may find this key, with only one sharp note, to be an easy and straightforward introduction to guitar playing. Additionally, it provides an excellent starting point for exploring chord progressions and trying out different sounds.
Chord diagrams should be read vertically so each line represents one string. An x indicates muted strings while numbers represent frets.
3. F Major
The F major chord provides the perfect complement to the C and G chords, requiring your hand to form a claw shape while moving further up the fretboard.
Note when reading guitar tabs that if a fret is missing from being shown it means it has been muted (marked with an X). Also be mindful that some strings may or may not have barred ends.
Remind yourself, when playing chords, that if necessary you can vary them by an octave lower or higher than their root; this technique is called “versioning”, and provides an effective means of practicing.
4. A Minor
This chord can be more challenging to play than others but should go smoothly if your fingers stay above the frets and remain on strings, with fingers hovering above their frets. Furthermore, distortion should be avoided as it tends to throw the chord off!
Minor and major 7th chords are simple open chords that can be used in numerous songs and musical styles. Similar to major chords, they feature a root note (the name of the chord), a major third for emotive effects and an ideal fifth as its foundational elements.
5. E Major Slide
Beginning musicians may find the chords on Level 1 difficult, but once you get them sounding together properly it opens up a world of musical opportunities. Try different rhythms until you find one that works for you!
Try adding a slide to an E major chord; this can sound very cool and give you that characteristic Duane Allman slide style (see below). Although open tunings may initially prove challenging, with practice it will quickly become second nature to you.
6. F# Major
F# Major chord is one that may prove more difficult for beginners to strum than other chords, yet should still be learned as it appears in many songs and may form part of your progression as you continue playing guitar.
It is a barre chord, meaning your index finger forms a flat shape across all six strings. Although barre chords take time to master, once they do they become easier than open position chords.
Switch between this F# Major barre chord and its E Major open shape counterpart to build muscle memory and ease your transition to barre chords.
7. G Minor
G Minor chords are another great open chord option that are simple for novice players to learn. Similar to D Minor, this chord shifts the note on your high E string from its 2nd fret to the 1st fret to prevent you from strumming both 5th and 6th strings at the same time – something which would sound rather off.
Practice this chord until all your fingers can land simultaneously on it and make clean chord changes, which will assist when playing songs that require switching among various chords in a song. This practice will serve you well when the time comes!