Essential Guitar Chord Chart

Learning a selection of major and minor chords is a great starting point for any guitarist. This guide covers all seven notes from A to G, with photographs and chord diagrams to help you learn the shapes.

How to practise changing chords

Start by learning each chord individually. Place your fingers on the strings, then play each string separately to check that every note rings clearly. Once the shape feels comfortable, practise moving slowly between two chords. Keep your fingers close to the fretboard and aim for smooth, clean changes. A few minutes of daily practice will make a difference.

How to read the diagrams: The strings are shown from low E (thickest) to high e (thinnest), left to right. The fret numbers run from the nut towards the guitar body. A dot marks where to press a string. O means play the string open; X means do not play it.

The 7 Major Guitar Chords

A Major (A)

One of the most common open chords. Keep your three fingers close together around the second fret.

Hand playing A major on guitar — A major chord fingering

Strings: X 0 2 2 2 0

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
1
2			●	●	●

B Major (B)

B major is commonly played as an A-shape barre chord. Use your index finger across the second fret, then form the remaining notes with your other fingers.

Strings: X 2 4 4 4 2. Barre fret 2 across A to high e.

Fret	A	D	G	B	e
2	●				●
3
4		●	●	●

C Major (C)

A fundamental open chord. Make sure your fingertips do not accidentally mute the open G or high E strings.

Hand playing C major on guitar — C major chord fingering

Strings: X 3 2 0 1 0

Fret	A	D	B
1			●
2		●
3	●

D Major (D)

D major uses three fingers on the four thinnest strings. Avoid strumming the two thickest strings.

Hand playing D major on guitar — D major chord fingering

Strings: X X 0 2 3 2

Fret	G	B	e
1
2	●		●
3		●

E Major (E)

A full-sounding open chord. All six strings are played.

Hand playing E major on guitar — E major chord fingering

Strings: 0 2 2 1 0 0

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
1				●
2		●	●

F Major (F)

F major is commonly played as an E-shape barre chord. Press all six strings at the first fret with your index finger, then form the remaining shape.

Photo: To be added.

Strings: 1 3 3 2 1 1. Barre fret 1 across all six strings.

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
1	●				●	●
2				●
3		●	●

G Major (G)

A popular open chord used in countless songs. Let all six strings ring clearly.

Hand playing G major on guitar — G major chord fingering

Strings: 3 2 0 0 0 3

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
2		●
3	●					●

The 7 Minor Guitar Chords

Minor chords have a different character from major chords. The difference is the lowered third note, which gives them their distinctive sound.

A Minor (Am)

A minor is an easy open chord and a useful companion to A major.

Hand playing A minor on guitar — A minor chord fingering

Strings: X 0 2 2 1 0

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
1					●
2			●	●

B Minor (Bm)

B minor is an A-shape barre chord at the second fret. The index finger bars the A string through to the high E string.

Hand playing B minor barre chord on guitar — B minor barre chord fingering

Strings: X 2 4 4 3 2. Barre fret 2 across A to high e.

Fret	A	D	G	B	e
2	●				●
3				●
4		●	●

C Minor (Cm)

C minor is a barre chord at the third fret. It is more demanding than the open chords, so take time to get each note ringing cleanly.

Hand playing C minor on guitar — C minor chord fingering

Strings: X 3 5 5 4 3. Barre fret 3 across A to high e.

Fret	A	D	G	B	e
3	●				●
4				●
5		●	●

D Minor (Dm)

D minor is an open chord played on the four thinnest strings. It has a distinctive sound and is common in folk, rock and pop.

Hand playing D minor on guitar — D minor chord fingering

Strings: X X 0 2 3 1

Fret	G	B	e
1			●
2	●
3		●

E Minor (Em)

One of the easiest guitar chords to play. It only requires two fingers and all six strings can be strummed.

Hand playing E minor on guitar — E minor chord fingering

Strings: 0 2 2 0 0 0

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
2		●	●

F Minor (Fm)

F minor is an E-shape barre chord at the first fret. The index finger bars all six strings, while the remaining fingers form the shape at the third fret.

Photo: To be added.

Strings: 1 3 3 1 1 1. Barre fret 1 across all six strings.

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
1	●			●	●	●
2
3		●	●

G Minor (Gm)

G minor is a barre chord at the third fret. It uses a movable shape that can be shifted along the neck to play other minor chords.

Hand playing G minor on guitar — G minor chord fingering

Strings: 3 5 5 3 3 3. Barre fret 3 across all six strings.

Fret	E	A	D	G	B	e
3	●			●	●	●
4
5		●	●

Keep practising

These 14 chords give you a solid foundation for playing guitar. Start with a few familiar shapes, practise changing between them, and gradually add more chords as your confidence grows. With regular practice, you’ll begin to recognise these shapes in songs and play along more easily.

Photograph source: Fretfury Guitar. F major and F minor photographs to be added.