Why Open Chords First?

Open chords use at least one open (unfretted) string and are played in the first few frets of the guitar. They're easier on the fingers than barre chords, ring out with a natural resonance, and — most importantly — they unlock a huge catalogue of real songs from day one.

The 10 chords below cover the major and minor shapes in the most common guitar keys: E, A, D, G, C, and B. Learn these and you'll be able to play hundreds of songs. If you're not sure how to read the finger diagrams yet, check our complete guide to reading chord diagrams first.

Difficulty key:BeginnerEasyIntermediate

1. E Major

Beginner

Strings played: All 6 strings

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	Open — played as-is
String 5 (A)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 4 (D)	Fret 2, finger 3
String 3 (G)	Fret 1, finger 1
String 2 (B)	Open — played as-is
String 1 (high e)	Open — played as-is

💡

Arch your fingers so the open strings ring clearly. This is one of the most common chords in rock and blues.

Heard in:Jumpin' Jack FlashBrown Eyed GirlNothing Else Matters

2. E Minor

Beginner

Strings played: All 6 strings

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	Open — played as-is
String 5 (A)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 4 (D)	Fret 2, finger 3
String 3 (G)	Open — played as-is
String 2 (B)	Open — played as-is
String 1 (high e)	Open — played as-is

💡

Em is arguably the easiest chord to learn — only two fingers. It has a dark, melancholy sound that works beautifully in minor-key songs.

Heard in:Stairway to HeavenHouse of the Rising SunWonderwall

3. A Major

Beginner

Strings played: Strings 5–1 (mute string 6)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	Open — played as-is
String 4 (D)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 3 (G)	Fret 2, finger 3
String 2 (B)	Fret 2, finger 4
String 1 (high e)	Open — played as-is

💡

Three fingers crowd the same fret — try a slight diagonal angle so each fingertip clears the adjacent string.

Heard in:Sweet Home AlabamaLet It BeLa Bamba

4. A Minor

Beginner

Strings played: Strings 5–1 (mute string 6)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	Open — played as-is
String 4 (D)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 3 (G)	Fret 2, finger 3
String 2 (B)	Fret 1, finger 1
String 1 (high e)	Open — played as-is

💡

Am is closely related to E major — notice you're using the same shape, just shifted. Recognising these relationships speeds up learning.

Heard in:Sultans of SwingHurtThe Sound of Silence

5. D Major

Beginner

Strings played: Strings 4–1 (mute strings 6 & 5)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	X — muted, do not play
String 4 (D)	Open — played as-is
String 3 (G)	Fret 2, finger 1
String 2 (B)	Fret 3, finger 3
String 1 (high e)	Fret 2, finger 2

💡

Only four strings — keep your strumming arm from accidentally catching the low strings. The diamond shape of fingers takes a little practice to nail cleanly.

Heard in:Knockin' on Heaven's DoorFree Fallin'Hey There Delilah

6. D Minor

Beginner

Strings played: Strings 4–1 (mute strings 6 & 5)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	X — muted, do not play
String 4 (D)	Open — played as-is
String 3 (G)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 2 (B)	Fret 3, finger 3
String 1 (high e)	Fret 1, finger 1

💡

Dm has a distinctive melancholy sound. The transition from D major to D minor is a great exercise — only one finger moves.

Heard in:Mad WorldThe House of the Rising SunEleanor Rigby

7. G Major

Easy

Strings played: All 6 strings

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	Fret 3, finger 2
String 5 (A)	Fret 2, finger 1
String 4 (D)	Open — played as-is
String 3 (G)	Open — played as-is
String 2 (B)	Fret 3, finger 3
String 1 (high e)	Fret 3, finger 4

💡

G is a big, resonant chord. Many beginners use fingers 1–2–3 but switching to 2–3–4 makes transitions to C major much smoother.

Heard in:WonderwallLeaving on a Jet PlaneCountry Roads

8. C Major

Easy

Strings played: Strings 5–1 (mute string 6)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	Fret 3, finger 3
String 4 (D)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 3 (G)	Open — played as-is
String 2 (B)	Fret 1, finger 1
String 1 (high e)	Open — played as-is

💡

C major trips up beginners because fingers need to reach across non-adjacent strings. Slow practice with a metronome is the fastest route to getting it clean.

Heard in:Let Her GoKnockin' on Heaven's DoorMore Than Words

9. F Major

Intermediate

Strings played: All 6 strings

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	Fret 1, finger 1 (barre)
String 5 (A)	Fret 3, finger 3
String 4 (D)	Fret 3, finger 4
String 3 (G)	Fret 2, finger 2
String 2 (B)	Fret 1, finger 1 (barre)
String 1 (high e)	Fret 1, finger 1 (barre)

💡

F major is the infamous "beginner wall." The index finger barres all strings at fret 1 — press close to the fret wire and build up the strength gradually. It takes time, but once it clicks, barre chords open up the entire fretboard.

Heard in:Leaving on a Jet PlaneHere Comes the SunGood Riddance

10. B Minor

Intermediate

Strings played: Strings 5–1 (mute string 6)

String	Position
String 6 (low E)	X — muted, do not play
String 5 (A)	Fret 2, finger 1 (barre)
String 4 (D)	Fret 4, finger 3
String 3 (G)	Fret 4, finger 4
String 2 (B)	Fret 3, finger 2
String 1 (high e)	Fret 2, finger 1 (barre)

💡

Bm is a partial barre chord — the index finger covers strings 1–5 at fret 2. It pairs naturally with G, D, and A, making it essential for countless pop and rock songs.

Heard in:WonderwallLet Her GoShallow

What to Learn Next

Once you can switch between these 10 chords without looking at your hands, you're ready for the next level. Here's a suggested path:

1
Practice common progressions like G–D–Em–C and Am–F–C–G until transitions are smooth.
2
Add a strumming pattern — even a simple down-up rhythm transforms chord practice into real music.
3
Tackle barre chords starting with F major, then move the shape up and down the neck.
4
Explore the chord library to discover variations like sus2, sus4, and add9 shapes that add colour to your playing.

Use our Chord Diagram Maker to visualise any new chord you encounter, and our Chord Practice tool to build the muscle memory you need to switch between them effortlessly.

Ready to practice?

Chord Diagram Maker →Build and save custom chord diagrams for any chord you learn.Chord Practice →Drill these 10 chords with guided exercises and a built-in timer.Chord Progression Player →Hear how these chords sound together in common progressions.Metronome →Stay in time as you practice switching between chords.

All Guitar Tools

Free tools for every stage of your guitar journey.

Explore →

← Back to Blog