Which chords should a beginner learn first?

The open shapes E, A, D, G, C plus Em, Am and Dm — eight in total — already cover a large share of popular songs. Spend more time changing between them than on the shapes themselves.

My barre chords buzz or come out muted.

It is usually placement rather than strength. Put the index finger just behind the fret and roll it slightly onto its bony side, with the thumb centred behind the neck. If it still buzzes, practise higher up around the 5th fret where string tension is lower.

Why does one chord have several shapes?

A chord is a set of notes, and those notes sit in several places on the fretboard. Choose the shape that moves your hand the least from the chord before and after it.

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Chord Library

Fingering diagrams for common chords

Chord progression

1Index2Middle3Ring4Pinky

Drag chords from below to stack your progression, 4 per row

Chord palette

Root

Tap a card to hear it

Left-handed

C

G

D

A

E

F

Em

Am

Dm

Cmaj7

Fmaj7

G7

C7

D7

E7

A7

B7

Am7

Em7

Dm7

Cadd9

Dsus2

Dsus4

Asus2

Esus4

G/B

C/G

D/F#

E5

A5

D5

A free chord library of guitar fingering diagrams. It covers major, minor, seventh, power and barre shapes across all twelve roots, drawn on the fretboard and playable so you can hear each one.

How to read a chord diagram

1The 6 horizontal lines are the strings — the top line is the 1st string (thin high E) and the bottom is the 6th (thick low E); the vertical lines are the frets, with the nut on the left.
2Numbered dots show where to press and which finger to use: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky.
3By the nut (left side), × means do not play that string and ○ means play it open. Use the position tabs (Open, E-shape, A-shape) to find the shape that is easiest for your hand.

Frequently asked questions

Which chords should a beginner learn first?: The open shapes E, A, D, G, C plus Em, Am and Dm — eight in total — already cover a large share of popular songs. Spend more time changing between them than on the shapes themselves.
My barre chords buzz or come out muted.: It is usually placement rather than strength. Put the index finger just behind the fret and roll it slightly onto its bony side, with the thumb centred behind the neck. If it still buzzes, practise higher up around the 5th fret where string tension is lower.
Why does one chord have several shapes?: A chord is a set of notes, and those notes sit in several places on the fretboard. Choose the shape that moves your hand the least from the chord before and after it.