Guitar Chords

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string. Strum from the A (5th) string down, muting or skipping the low E string. All three fingers line up on the 2nd fret.

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string. Strum from the A (5th) string down. It differs from A major by only one note — the C on the B string.

Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A (5th) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, and index finger on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string. Strum from the A string down, avoiding the low E string. The open G and high E strings ring out.

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string, and middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string. Strum only the top four strings (D, G, B, and high E). The open D string serves as the root note.

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the high E (1st) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string. Strum the top four strings only. It differs from D major by the flattened F note on the high E string.

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G (3rd) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string. Strum all six strings. This is one of the most resonant open chords on the guitar.

Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string. All other strings are played open. It is one of the easiest guitar chords, requiring only two fingers.

The simplified open F uses the index finger on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string and the 1st fret of the high E (1st) string (a mini-barre), middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D (4th) string. Strum the top four strings only. The full F barre chord is more common in intermediate playing.

Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E (6th) string, index finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E (1st) string. Strum all six strings. Some players also add the pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string.

Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string and your index finger on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string, leaving the G (3rd) string open. Strum from the A (5th) string down. The open G string provides the minor 7th (G note) that gives it the dominant 7th quality.

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string. Strum the top four strings. The note C on the 1st fret of the B string is the ♭7 that makes it a dominant 7th chord.

Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string and your index finger on the 1st fret of the G (3rd) string. Strum all six strings. It is essentially an E major chord with the ring finger lifted off the D string, allowing the open D note (the ♭7) to ring.