Beginner Open Guitar Chords

Beginner Open Guitar Chords

These are the chords that you need to learn. Open chords are the starting point for every new guitarist. They are called “open” chords because they live in the “open position” of your guitar, which refers to the frets closest to the headstock. First I will list the major open chords, they have a “happy” sound compared to the minor.

The major and minor chords listed on this page are also known as triads. This class of chords contains only three notes. You may notice that you are playing more than 3 strings. Triads don’t need to contain each note only once, usually some are doubled. Triad chords contain a root note, a major or minor 3rd, and a 5th. A long time ago I made a (goofy) video about this concept, check it out!

Learn Online Guitar Chords A major Amaj
D string: Middle Finger
G string: Index
B string: Ring

Learn Online Guitar Chords C major Cmaj
A string: Ring Finger
D string: Middle
B string: Index

Learn Online Guitar Chords D major Dmaj
G string: Index Finger
B string: Ring
E thin string: Middle

Learn Online Guitar Chords E major Emaj
A string: Middle Finger
D string: Ring
G string: Index

Learn Online Guitar Chords G major Gmaj
E string: Middle Finger
A string: Index
E thin string: Pinky

And here are the minor open chords, notice the more sinister sound. 

Learn Online Guitar Chords A minor Amin Am
D string: Middle Finger
G string: Ring
B string: Index

Learn Online Guitar Chords D minor Dmin Dm
G string: Middle Finger
B string: Ring
E thin string: Index

Learn Online Guitar Chords E minor Emin Em
A string: Middle Finger
D string: Ring

Awesome! Now you can start making music with these chords.

Check out these related posts:
Easy Two-finger Open Chords
Sweet & Simple Chord Combos
Cool Open String Guitar Triads

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