Guitar chords form the backbone of songs. Composed of several simple shapes played on the fretboard that, when strumming together, create both melody and harmony for songs.
Open chords are “movable”, giving them more of a full sound than regular power chords.
Open E Major Shape
This chord shape is an ideal starting point if you want to start learning chords that feel natural and sound great. Its compact form makes it easy to move around the neck, enabling you to create many different chords just by sliding your fingers up and down the neck.
The E major shape can be varied to produce interesting sounding chords. For instance, by taking out one finger from its shape you’ll get a D7 chord (D-A-E).
Add an additional 4th to this shape to form a sus chord, giving it the sound associated with Led Zeppelin. While playing this chord requires greater hand flexibility (you have to stretch out your pinky quite far), once learned it should be straightforward – just ensure your fingers remain close together so as not to push each other aside and cause notes to go muted or even dead.
Open F Major Shape
As with other chord shapes you have learned so far, to make these chromatic chord shapes truly stand out and sound fantastic, individual practice sessions must be performed until each one can be played without difficulty and then transition between them and incorporate them into songs.
An effective way to create an F chord that sounds fuller is with a four string version of its shape. Using the same triad formation as before but only barring two of the six strings allows your ring finger to add the C note at fret 3 of A string for stronger bass qualities in your chord.
Beginners may find it challenging to produce chords the correct way at first. Don’t worry; just practice regularly and be patient with yourself. Over time it will get easier.
Open A Minor Shape
The Open A Minor shape is one of the few minor chords with an easy, open position. It serves as a gateway into other minor chords; simply press strings using your ring and pinky fingers so your first finger can bar across them to increase pitch – all this while providing all the power of regular barre chords while keeping hands more comfortable for beginners.
This shape can be adjusted on and off of the fretboard to form various minor triads, requiring greater dexterity in your hand but is well worth learning!
This chord can be difficult to play well due to your fingers being so close together. To ensure success with it, practice mutting or avoiding the low E string when playing it and slowly strumming through each note while listening for its clear ring. Doing this will build strength for full barre chords later.
Open G Major Shape
G major is a popular chord choice among singer-songwriters. It fits snugly with many melodies, providing an ideal foundation to build chords using sixths, sevenths and ninths.
This chord requires some stretching of your fingers but shouldn’t be too difficult to learn. Make sure your fingertips are placed correctly to avoid muddling any nearby strings, and if you find playing this shape challenging, try practicing with less fingers or using your thumb in the back of the neck for added stability.
Add another level to this chord shape by lifting up your first finger after you have formed it and creating a G7 chord! This adds a great jazz sound as well as creating opportunities for plenty of hammer-ons and pull-offs – try incorporating this variation into some of your favourite tunes!