This course covers the most commonly played open chords on the guitar, including how to build major and minor chords, and switching between chords. Learn the C major, G major, D major and minor, E major and minor, A major and minor, and how to switch between chords.

Note: If you have not viewed the lesson on major scales, it is highly recommended you do so before going through this course.

What are Chords?

A Chord is simply a group of three or more notes played at the same time. There are many different chord types and combinations of notes that can create chords. In music, the most common types of chords are major and minor chords. In this chapter, we will discuss how to create and play these chords.

Major Chords 

A Major chord is a combination of a Root note, (usually the lowest note of the chord), the 3rd note, and the 5th notes of the Major Scale. We call these notes the 3rd and 5th of the chord, due to their place in the major scale.

As you see in the diagram below, if we start with the note “C” as our root, the 3rd would be the note “E”, which is two whole-steps above the root. The fifth is found 1.5 steps above the note E, which is the note “G”. This combination gives us the notes of a C Major chord. Major Chords are characterized by a bright, happy sound. 

In a Major Chord, the distance between the Root and the 3rd (two whole steps) is known as a Major 3rd (M3) and the distance between the 3rd and 5th degrees (1.5 steps) is known as a Minor 3rd (m3). 

Minor Chords 

Like a major chord, a minor chord contains a Root, 3rd, and 5th. Unlike the major chord, the 3rd of a minor chord is lowered by one fret, giving the chord a darker, sadder sound. The 3rd of the chord (E) is lowered to an E flat, creating a C minor chord. 

 Note the lowered 3rd of the minor chord. Also note that the Minor 3rd is now between the root and 3rd, while the Major 3rd is between the 3rd and 5th. 

Reading Chord Diagrams. 

As we learn how to play chords, we will use visual depictions of our fretboard called chord diagrams to show us where to place our hands on the frets to play each chord. This allows us to memorize the fingerings rather than the notes of each chord to start.  

Basic Chord Diagrams

Each chord diagram has six vertical lines that represent the strings of the guitar. The lowest 6th string is represented by the line on the far left of the diagram, while the highest 1st string is on the right.

The three horizontal lines represent the frets of the guitar. Numbers can be placed on the right of a fret to indicate a change in the fret number, otherwise, it is assumed that the diagram represents the first three frets of the guitar.  

Adding Fingering Markers 

When we add markers on the lines, this indicates a note that is played as part of the chord. In this diagram, a note is marked on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

The number above the string will indicate the left-hand finger that is to play that note on the fretboard

Open and Muted Strings 

An “X” marking above a string indicates that this string is not part of the chord and is not to be played or strummed. A “0” marking above a string indicates that this is an open string and should be played alongside any fretted notes of the chord.

Open strings are just as important as fretted notes when playing chords, so extra care must be taken to make sure they are not omitted from each chord. 

Building Chords and Left-Hand Positioning 

Although you should be used to applying pressure with your fingers on the fretboard and playing single notes on the guitar from our work in chapter 2, building chords can be quite difficult at first. Applying pressure on multiple notes at the same time will take time to acclimate your fingers as well as the pressure from your thumb on the back of the neck. Here are some important tips when playing open chords. 

1. When forming chords, it is strongly recommended to place your fingers on the lowest strings first and then move to the higher strings. This means placing the lowest fretted note on the lowest numbered string first and then building the chord from there. 

2. Keep your Thumb on the back of the neck. You need pressure from your thumb to press against the back of the neck to apply the correct amount of pressure on the strings to produce good sounding chords. Make sure your thumb is not on top of the neck or off to the side, but directly behind your fingers as seen in the picture below. 

3. Make sure that your fingers are not touching other strings: If a finger blocks another string, you will not hear that note in the chord. It is important to keep a high arch in your fingers. 

4. Press down hard on each note of the chord: Applying more pressure with your fingers will result in a better sounding chord.

5. Check your surrounding strings: After you apply a finger on the guitar, check the surrounding strings to the fretted note to make sure they are still clearly heard and not blocked. This will help you develop the proper fingering portion.

The E Minor Chord

The first chord most guitarists learn is the open E minor chord. As the E minor chord only uses two fingers, it is relatively easy to learn as our first chord.

The E Minor chord contains the open 6th string (E), the 2nd fret on the 5th string (B), the 2nd fret on the 4th string (E), and the open 3rd string (G), 2nd string (B), and 1st string (E).

How To Play The E Minor Chord

To form the E minor chord, follow these steps.

1. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

2. Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

The E Major Chord

In the E major chord Notice that the 2nd and 3rd finger stay the same as the E minor Chord. The E major chord adds our first finger to the 3rd string on the first fret.

The E Major chord contains the open 6th string (E), the 2nd fret on the 5th string (B), the 2nd fret on the 4th string (E), and the 1st fret on the 3rd string (G#), the open 2nd string (B), and open 1st string (E).

How to Play the E Major Chord

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

• Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

• Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  

Transitioning Between Chords

Now that we have learned the shapes and notes of our first open chords, we need to learn how to switch between one chord and the next. This is one of the most challenging aspects of learning the guitar, and it is important to practice these chords over and over again until they feel comfortable. When switching between chords, try to visualize the next chord while you are playing the first chord.

Just as a driver looks ahead to watch for traffic hazards, a guitarist must look ahead to the next chord they are playing. Use your eyes to guide each finger to the next chord before switching the chord. It is very important to move from the lowest string to the highest string, so you should always place the lowest note of the chord down first and work up the strings from there. 

Switching Between Chords: E and Em 

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for substantial time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats.

Finally we will practice our main goal, which is to switch chords effectively and repeatedly while strumming quarter notes in the right hand.

All of the exercises below should be played with downstrokes only. 

The A Major Chord

The A Major chord contains three notes that are all played on the 2nd fret of the guitar. It is important to use the correct fingering, as your smaller fingers will fit into the same fret more easily. Notice that the 2nd and 3rd fingers have stayed in a similar position to our E chords, but have moved up one string each to the 4th and 3rd strings.

The A major chord contains the open 5th string (A), the 2nd fret on the 4th string (E), the 2nd fret on the 3rd string (A), the 2nd fret on the 2nd string (C#) and the open 1st string (E).

How to Play an A Major Chord

1. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

2. Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

3. Place your 4th finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string. 

The A Minor Chord

The A minor chord has the exact same shape as our E major chord, with each note moved up by one string.

The A minor chord contains the open 5th string (A), the 2nd fret on the 4th string (E), the 2nd fret on the 3rd string (A), the 1st fret on the 2nd string (C) and the open 1st string (E).

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

• Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.

• Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.

Transitioning Between Chords

Now that we have learned the shapes and notes of our first open chords, we need to learn how to switch between one chord and the next. This is one of the most challenging aspects of learning the guitar, and it is important to practice these chords over and over again until they feel comfortable. When switching between chords, try to visualize the next chord while you are playing the first chord.

Just as a driver looks ahead to watch for traffic hazards, a guitarist must look ahead to the next chord they are playing. Use your eyes to guide each finger to the next chord before switching the chord. It is very important to move from the lowest string to the highest string, so you should always place the lowest note of the chord down first and work up the strings from there. 

Switching Between Chords: A and Am 

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for substantial time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats.

Finally we will practice our main goal, which is to switch chords effectively and repeatedly while strumming quarter notes in the right hand.

All of the exercises below should be played with downstrokes only. 

The C Major Chord

The notes in our C major chord are C, E and G. the 3rd fret of the 5th string (C), the 2nd fret of the 4th string (E), the open 3rd string (G), the 1st fret of the 2nd string (C) and the open 1st string (E).

How to Play a C Major Chord

1. Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

2. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.

3. Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.

The G Major Chord

The G Major (Standard Voicing) chord contains the 3rd fret of the 6th string (G), the 2nd fret of the 5th string (B), the open 4th (D), 3rd (G) and 2nd (B) strings, and the 3rd fret of the 1st string. There is also an alternate fingering of the G major chord, which omits the index finger. Another common fingering of the G major chord is the 4-finger version, which adds the 2nd string 3rd fret (D), to the voicing.

How to Play a G Major Chord (Standard Voicing)

1. Place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.

2. Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

3. Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.

How to Play a G Major Chord (Standard Voicing)

1. Place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.

2. Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

3. Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.

4. Place your 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.

How to Play a G Major Chord (Alternate Fingering)

1. Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.

2. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.

3. Place your 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.

Transitioning Between Chords

Now that we have learned the shapes and notes of our first open chords, we need to learn how to switch between one chord and the next. This is one of the most challenging aspects of learning the guitar, and it is important to practice these chords over and over again until they feel comfortable. When switching between chords, try to visualize the next chord while you are playing the first chord.

Just as a driver looks ahead to watch for traffic hazards, a guitarist must look ahead to the next chord they are playing. Use your eyes to guide each finger to the next chord before switching the chord. It is very important to move from the lowest string to the highest string, so you should always place the lowest note of the chord down first and work up the strings from there. 

Switching Between Chords: C and G Major

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for substantial time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats.

Finally we will practice our main goal, which is to switch chords effectively and repeatedly while strumming quarter notes in the right hand.

All of the exercises below should be played with downstrokes only. 

The D Major Chord

The D Major chord contains the open 4th string (D), the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (A), the 3rd fret of the 2nd string (D), and the 2nd fret of the 1st string (F#). The 5th and 6th strings are not played in the D major chord.

How to Play a D Major Chord

• Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.

• Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.

The D Minor Chord

The D Minor chord contains the open 4th string (D), the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (A), the 3rd fret of the 2nd string (D), and the 1st fret of the 1st string (F). Like the D major chord, the 5th and 6th strings are not played in this chord.

How to Play a D Major Chord

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.

• Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.

• Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string.

Transitioning Between Chords

Now that we have learned the shapes and notes of our first open chords, we need to learn how to switch between one chord and the next. This is one of the most challenging aspects of learning the guitar, and it is important to practice these chords over and over again until they feel comfortable. When switching between chords, try to visualize the next chord while you are playing the first chord.

Just as a driver looks ahead to watch for traffic hazards, a guitarist must look ahead to the next chord they are playing. Use your eyes to guide each finger to the next chord before switching the chord. It is very important to move from the lowest string to the highest string, so you should always place the lowest note of the chord down first and work up the strings from there. 

Switching Between Chords: D Major and D Minor

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for substantial time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats.

Finally we will practice our main goal, which is to switch chords effectively and repeatedly while strumming quarter notes in the right hand.

All of the exercises below should be played with downstrokes only. 

Open Chord Review

Switching Between Chords: Open Chord Review Exercises

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for substantial time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats.