Open Chord Library
Complete visual guide to essential open guitar chords with finger positions, variations, and playing techniques.
Major & Minor Chords
Master these essential open chords first. They're the foundation of many songs. Open chords use unfretted (open) strings and are typically played in the first few frets, creating a rich, ringing sound that's perfect for beginners.
Major Chords
A
C
D
E
G
G (4-finger)
Minor Chords
Am
Dm
Em
Major to Minor Transformations
Understanding the "3rd": This name may be confusing - don't confuse it with finger numbers or fret numbers. It's a name that comes from music theory. In music theory we can measure the distance between notes based on a scale. A major "3rd" is the 3rd note of the major scale, whereas a minor 3rd is the 3rd note of the minor scale. You can just think of them as the notes that make a chord major or minor. On the guitar you'll find that this results in the major and minor chord shapes having one fret position difference. Notice how the A major chord has a finger on the 2nd fret of the B string compared with the Am chord that has a finger on the 1st fret of that string. Apart from that, the chords are the same. Major and minor chords have 2/3 of the same notes. These 3 note chords are also referred to as "triads" in music theory.
A
Am
E
Em
D
Dm
The Sound of Major & Minor Chords
- •Major chords: Sound bright, happy, and uplifting - built with root, major 3rd, and 5th
- •Minor chords: Sound sad, melancholy, or introspective - built with root, minor 3rd, and 5th
- •The difference: Only the 3rd interval changes - lowered by a semitone in minor chords
- •Musical context: Major chords often resolve tension, while minor chords create emotional depth
Need help with your chord technique? Book a guitar lesson for personalized guidance.