Musical analysis classifies chords into categories that describe their overall character. For instance, any chord that contains major sevenths (and thus harmonic semitones) is known as hemitonic.
An augmented triad refers to chords with an enhanced fifth note. Chords utilizing altered notes are known as borrowed chords.
1. F#m
F#m chord is a minor chord used to add tension and drama to songs across genres like pop, rock and jazz music. Additionally, this chord is easy for beginners just starting out on guitar to play.
Play it using any number of scales, although the natural F# minor scale is most frequently employed. Other helpful scales include F# blues scale and dorian mode.
Add an A major chord for an interesting variation and practice switching cleanly between chords while maintaining solid rhythmic performance – this combination works particularly well in country and folk songs.
2. C#m
C minor is an essential chord found across various musical genres and mastering it will allow you to add depth and emotion to your guitar playing.
As this chord is a barre chord, all fingers will need to be used on the fretboard while also using a pick to play it correctly.
C#m is a minor chord, meaning it contains both a minor third and major fifth to differentiate it from C major chord, which only contains major third and perfect fifth notes.
Learn to play this chord using our online tutorial! Step-by-step lessons, with video demonstration of each finger position are included for you to access the lesson when signing up for Fender Play.
3. Dm
D minor is an expressive chord used to evoke feelings of melancholy or sadness in songs, often chosen because it creates an almost oppressive environment. Like other minor chords, D minor can also be quite weighty.
The D minor guitar chord is a bar chord, and requires practice to master. One effective approach to playing it well is placing your index finger on the first fret of the second string and then strumming all other strings with your remaining fingers.
Learning D minor chords is an excellent way to expand your musical vocabulary and explore more music from artists you enjoy. If you’re curious, try browsing Fender Play’s chord library and familiarize yourself with their various forms.
4. G#m
G minor chord is an adaptable chord that can add unexpected tones and emotive touches to your songs. Like all minor chords, it uses the interval structure of 1m3 5 and can be played using various voicings and fret configurations.
The most straightforward way to play this chord is with a root-6 barre chord beginning at the 4th fret, using your index finger as a barrer across all six strings while placing other fingers octaves around the chord in various places. Though barre chords can be challenging to learn, with ChordBank’s free app you’ll quickly master them one finger at a time! Click here to watch ChordBank in action and get tips for playing barre chords.
5. A#m
Chord by Chord returns with our inaugural minor chord: A. If you recall from our lesson on major triads, an A minor chord contains all the same notes as its major counterpart except its third is flattened by half a step and therefore lower in pitch.
Beginning musicians may find this chord difficult to play due to a lack of finger dexterity; however, with practice this becomes an easier chord to master.
Like its minor chord counterparts, A minor is used to create songs with somber or sad emotions, and is frequently featured in classic rock tunes from Clapton’s psychedelic tension of “White Room” to Aerosmith’s power ballad beauty of “Love Song”.