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Hi everyone, Rodrigo here again!
In today’s article, I’ll show you what I consider the most fundamental and essential chords every beginner guitarist should learn. These have been the first chords I’ve taught all my students over the past two decades. We’ll start with a quick overview of how to read chord diagrams, then I’ll introduce you to the Basic Guitar Chords Chart—a must-know resource for any aspiring guitarist. To wrap things up, I’ll answer some of the most common questions about learning your first chords.
If you’re new here, I have a 16-part series on music theory applied to guitar, covering everything from the basics to advanced concepts. You can explore these topics by clicking the links below or visiting the blog section in the top menu:
Simples Intervals -> Compound Intervals -> Triads -> Drop-2 Chords -> Drop-3 Chords -> Shell Chords & Extensions -> Triads & Extensions -> Chord Melody -> Guitar Arpeggios -> Guitar Scales -> Major Keys -> Minor Keys -> Harmonic Minor Keys -> Melodic Minor Keys -> Greek Modes -> Chord Progressions
Hope you enjoy the lesson!
How to Read Guitar Chord Diagrams
The first step in learning to read guitar diagrams is understanding how the strings are numbered. We count guitar strings from the bottom to the top, meaning the thinnest string is the 1st string, and the thickest string is the 6th string.
In a chord diagram, the 1st string (thinnest) is on the right, while the 6th string (thickest) is on the left. The remaining four strings fall in between, maintaining their natural order.
Guitar String Names
Each string has a specific name, based on its pitch:
1st string – E
2nd string – B
3rd string – G
4th string – D
5th string – A
6th string – E
Understanding Frets in a Diagram
The numbers on the left side of a diagram indicate the guitar’s frets. Frets are the spaces between the metal bars on the fretboard where your fingers press down.
Fret 1 is closest to the guitar’s headstock.
Higher numbers move towards the guitar’s body.
For this lesson, all examples will stay within the first five frets, as we’re focusing on beginner-friendly chords.
Finger Placement
In chord diagrams, blue circles show where to place your fingers. Each circle is positioned over a specific string and fret. Inside the circle, you'll find a letter representing the correct
finger to use:
I = Index finger
M = Middle finger
R = Ring finger
P = Pinky finger
What Does a Red Circle with an "X" Mean?
If you see an "X" above a string in chord notation, it means that string should not be played when strumming the chord. All other strings should be played as indicated.
Basic Guitar Chords Chart
Click on the chart to expand and download the Basic Guitar Chords Chart or use the link below to download the PDF directly.
FAQ
Are these the easiest chords to learn?
Each of these chords has its own level of difficulty. The easiest is the Em chord, as it only requires two fingers placed on the same fret. On the other hand, the most challenging is the F/C chord, which requires the use of all fingers spread across three different frets.
In what order should I learn guitar chords?
There is no strict order for learning chords, but it's recommended to start with the simplest ones, such as E, Em, A, and Am. Once comfortable, and ideally under the guidance of a good guitar teacher, you should practice chord progressions with similar finger placements. For instance, moving from Am to C only requires shifting the ring finger while keeping the other fingers in place. Similarly, transitioning from C to F/C involves moving the middle finger down one string and adding the pinky below the ring finger. Following this structured approach will help you learn chords more efficiently.
What if I struggle with learning the easiest chords?
Struggling with your first chords is completely normal. Sometimes, all it takes is more practice. However, other factors can affect your progress, including a poorly set-up instrument, incorrect posture, improper technique, and lack of proper guidance. If you want to learn more about these challenges, check out my article: How to Play Guitar: A Beginner’s Guide to Success!
What guitar chords go well together?
Chords that sound good together typically belong to the same key. You can explore my articles on Major Keys, Minor Keys, and Chord Progressions for more in-depth guidance.
What do the numbers next to chords mean?
A "7" after a chord (e.g., Cmaj7, Am7, G7) indicates a seventh chord. You can learn more about seventh chord construction in my articles on Drop-2 and Drop-3 chords.
Numbers like 9, 11, and 13 refer to chord extensions—additional notes that enhance the sound of the chord. You can dive deeper into this topic in my article on Shell Chords & Extensions.
How do you know which fret to play chords on?
First, you need to learn how to locate notes on the fretboard, which involves studying intervals. My article on Simple Intervals covers this in detail.
What are the first three chords I should learn on guitar?
E, Em, and Am.
How do I learn and play sharp and flat chords?
You will need to learn barre chords or use a capo.
How long does it take to learn all the basic guitar chords?
There is no exact timeframe, but I wrote an article comparing the progress of a "lazy," a "prodigy," and an "average" student based on my two decades of teaching experience. You can read about it in the final section of How to Play Guitar: A Beginner’s Guide to Success!
How can I figure out the chords to a song?
If you don't have ear training or experience, it's best to either buy a songbook of the artist or search for a tutorial on YouTube. For example, if you want to learn Enter Sandman, search for "Enter Sandman Guitar Tutorial."
What should I learn after mastering open chords?
Barre chords.
Which chord transitions are the most difficult?
Transitions that require skipping multiple strings and completely changing finger positions tend to be the hardest. For example, switching from an F/C chord to a D chord can be quite challenging.
Where should I place my thumb when playing chords?
It depends on the chord. For chords played on the higher strings (like D major), the thumb can be used to mute unwanted strings. For barre chords, the thumb is typically positioned in the middle of the guitar neck, directly behind the index finger, which is used for barring.
Do professional guitarists play basic chords?
Absolutely! "Basic chords" simply refer to chords that beginners can learn easily, but that doesn’t diminish their importance in music. Even professional guitarists frequently use them.
Wishing you all the best on your musical journey! Looking forward to seeing you here again soon!