Guitar chords
Overview guitar chords
Guitar chords are the foundation of countless pieces of music and are essential for any guitarist. A chord is a combination of three or more notes that together produce a harmonious sound. By combining different chords, chord progressions are created that define the structure of a song. Mastering guitar chords allows you to play a wide range of music styles, from pop and rock to blues and jazz. For beginners, learning basic chords is a crucial first step on the road to musical success.
Are you looking for Guitar Chords or an overview of the right Guitar Chords ? Use the buttons below and find the root note (for example C). Via the root note you can view the major (C), minor (Cm) and seventh chords (C7).
What are guitar chords?
A bit of simple music theory to understand guitar chords and to learn what chord to play on a "chords" or "ProTabs" song where the chord is placed above the song(s). See below an example of the song Country roads west Virginia by John Denver
G em d
Almost Heaven, West Virginia,...
If you look at the above, you now know which chords to play, but not yet how to play them. For this we use chord diagrams . You will then see a kind of map of the guitar neck and the strings are drawn vertically and the horizontal lines are the frets on the fingerboard/neck (overview of parts of the acoustic guitar ). The dots on a diagram indicate where you should place your left hand fingers and the number indicates which finger you should use.
Figure 1: Chord Diagram (left) - Chord Diagram Explanation
C (maj) = Chord name, here C major
X = This string (tone) will be muted and the string will not sound
1 = First fret (box) on the guitar neck
O = Open strings, no fingers and string sounds through
Image 2: Media player view (right)
Chord diagram display = top row
Staff view with G clef. = If you want to learn to read music notes, check out our blog " Learn to read music notes "
Tab view = If you want to learn how to read tabs, check out our blog " Reading guitar tabs "
In the second image you can see with the chord diagrams C and C7 that the top (horizontal) line is thicker is then at the chords Cm and Cm7. This thick line represents the bridge (also called nut) of the guitar (see also " acoustic guitar parts "). This is where the open string sounds. In picture two chord diagram Cm and Cm7 you see a 3. This means that you play the Cm and Cm7 chord in third position. You can see this by the extra indication " 3 " the diagram on the left.
Sometimes you also see an X "light gray" is shown, this means that you can use this tone, but it is not necessary.
The basic chords
C (Thu)
D (re)
E (mi)
F (fa)
G (sol)
A la)
B (si)
The chord types
In practice it appears that in a key all used chords can be reduced to one of the following types:
Major type = These are the anchor points in a key signature
Minor type = these give 'color' to the key signature
Dominant seventh type = determine the key signature
Symbols and meaning
The symbols below are used when writing chords, we will use the root C in the example, after which the suffixes and notes are shown.
Voorbeeld | Grondtoon | Achtervoegsel | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|---|
C7 | C | 7 | Dominant Septiem |
Csus4 | C | sus4 | Drieklank met voorgehouden kwart (sus4) |
Cm | C | m | Mineur drieklank (m) |
Cdim | C | dim (of °) | Verminderde drieklank (dim of °) |
C+ | C | + | Overmatige drieklank (+) |
C | C | M | Majeur drieklank |
Basics of Guitar Chords
Chords are made up of specific notes that together form a harmonious whole. The three most important notes in a chord are:
Root Note : The basic note on which the chord is built.
Third : Determines whether the chord is major (major third) or minor (minor third).
Fifth : Adds stability to the chord.
The difference between major and minor chords lies in the third. A major chord generally sounds happy and bright, while a minor chord has a more melancholic or somber sound.
For example, the C major chord consists of the notes C (root), E (major third), and G (fifth). In contrast, the C minor chord consists of C (root), Eb (minor third), and G (fifth).
Reading chord diagrams
Chord diagrams , also known as chord charts, are visual representations of the guitar neck that show you where to place your fingers to play a specific chord. Being able to read these diagrams correctly is essential for learning new chords quickly and efficiently.
Parts of a chord diagram:
Vertical lines: Represent the strings of the guitar, from the low E string (left) to the high E string (right).
Horizontal lines: Represent the frets. The top thick line represents the guitar's nut.
Numbers or dots: Indicate where to place your fingers.
1: Index finger
2: Middle finger
3: Ring finger
4: Pink
Open circles above the nut: Indicate that the string should be played open.
Crosses above the nut: Indicate that the string should not be played.
Open chords
Open chords are chords where you sound one or more open strings (without pressing down the frets). They are easier for beginners and are often used in popular music.
Essential open chords:
E
I
A
Am
D
Dm
C
G
If you master all of these, you can already play 80% of the top 40.
Well-known songs like "Knocking on Heaven's Door " or " Let it Be " use only open chords.
Transitions and progressions
Chords are beautiful, but music only really comes into being when you play chords smoothly one after the other.
Commonly used progressions:
C–G–Am–F (the "pop progression")
D – A – Bm – G
Em – C – G – D
Practice transitions between two chords with a metronome. Start slowly (e.g. 60 BPM), and gradually increase the tempo.
Pro tip: use a " one-minute chord change challenge ". Set a timer for one minute and try to change between two chords as many times as you can, without making mistakes.
Chords by music style
Different genres use different chord styles:
Pop : Simple chords, often open and easy. Think Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift.
Blues : 12-bar structure with dominant seventh chords (E7, A7, B7).
Rock : Power chords and barre chords. Think AC/DC, Nirvana.
Jazz : Complex chord progressions with maj7, m7, dim and sus chords.
Learning to play songs from different styles will broaden your technical and musical horizons.
Capo and transpose
With a capo you can easily play in a different key without learning new chords. You slide the capo onto a fret and play the familiar chord shapes – the sound changes automatically.
Example: C chord + capo on 2nd fret = D sound.
Transposing without a capo means that you rewrite chords yourself to another key. Handy if a singer needs a higher or lower pitch.
There are transposition tables and tools to help you with this.
To play guitar songs we use multiple types barre, power or open chords. There are many songs that use only a few chords. This way you can already play thousands of songs with only four chords. At the bottom of the page you will find an overview of songs.
Fun fact: Did you know that BACH used the chord H so that he could play his own name during his compositions 🤣.
Guitar chords
C Chords
The C chord has many different variations. View the variations at the top of this page! In the interactive chord table you will find the major , minor and various seventh chords. The standard C chord (read C major chord) is played using your index finger, middle finger and ring finger. As a tab it is noted as follows: x32010
As a tab it is noted as follows: x32010
Fingerings
If you rotate the C chord diagram it looks like this:
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E string - x, do not strike (thickest string)
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A string - 3 fingers on third fret
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D string - 2 fingers on second fret
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g string - 0 open string
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b string - 1 finger on first fret
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e string - 0 open string (thin string)
How do you play the C chord?
Using the buttons below you can watch the chord video and hear how they should sound when you pluck the strings.
Example: C major chord
e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|---x---
In this diagram:
-
The A string is pressed at the 3rd fret with the ring finger.
-
The D string on the 2nd fret with the middle finger.
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The B string on the 1st fret with the index finger.
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The G and high E strings are played open.
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The low E string is not played.
By regularly studying and practicing chord diagrams, you will develop the ability to quickly learn new chords and apply them to your playing.
E Chords
The E chord will be one of the first chords a potential guitar hero learns. Include these in your chord vocabulary and you will be able to play many songs. At Gitaartabs.nl we offer the means to teach you how to play the guitar with videos, chords, tabs and the use of an interactive media player. The E chord also has its different variations, try to find them all at the top of the page.
E Chords
The E chord will be one of the first chords a potential guitar hero learns. Include these in your chord vocabulary and you will be able to play many songs. At Gitaartabs.nl we offer the means to teach you how to play the guitar with videos, chords, tabs and the use of an interactive media player. The E chord also has its different variations, try to find them all at the top of the page.
F Chords
The F chord is played by means of a barré. The barré is one of the guitar techniques that you will learn by following the lessons on Gitaartabs.nl. Although it looks easy, the barre chords are known as finger breakers. Gitaartabs.nl teaches you to play the barre chords without these being put aside out of frustration. The F chord also has easier variations.
G Chords
The G chord requires a longer finger spacing. The G chord can also be found in the interactive chord progression at the top of the page. A G chord is played with the index, ring, and middle fingers. As a tab, the basic G chord is noted as follows: 320003. A correct attitude as you learn on Gitaartabs.nl is very important when playing a G chord.
A Chords
An A chord is played by placing the fingers close together on 3 strings in the same square. Beginning guitarists will often find that the A chord is difficult to play because the fingers are close together. If you have the correct posture and use the tips of your fingers it will not be a problem. An A chord is notated in tablature as: x02220. The different variations can also be found at the top of this page.
B Chords
The B chord is played by means of a barré . In addition to the B chord, this barré is also used during the F chord. A barré is one of the important guitar techniques that you learn as a starting or as a professional. You can learn how to play the barré chords at Gitaartabs.nl with clear instruction videos and lessons.
If you have trouble with the barré chords, you can always use our one-on-one online guitar lessons or lessons on location.
Guitar chords
At Gitaartabs.nl you can choose from two methods to learn to play the guitar. The first option is based on tablature, or tabs and it is also possible to use guitar chords. You learn to play the guitar step by step by means of chords. Think of the basic posture with which you pick up guitar grips, the technique behind guitar chords and much more. In other words, Gitaartabs.nl is the right place if you want to take guitar lessons as a beginner or as an advanced musician.
Major chords
In addition to the root, chords consist of all kinds of other notes. These notes are very important to the overall tone of the grip. The specific distance between the notes determines whether it is a major or a minor guitar chord. Major or minor refers to both an overall sound and the exact spacing of the notes that make up the chord.
Minor chords
For example, did you know that guitar chords with just a letter in front are always major chords? You can recognize the minor chords by the small 'm' after the letter. An Am chord is therefore an A minor chord. Of course there are more divisions in chords to mention. There are also seventh guitar chords and suspended chords, but that is more for the advanced among us. However, you can find all major, minor and seventh chords via the table above.
Barré Chords
Barré chords are among the many guitar techniques that are important for learning to play the guitar. The sooner you start with this, the sooner you will benefit from it. A barré chord is a chord where you press all the strings at the same time with the index finger. Practicing the barre chords takes a lot of time, but in the end it ensures a greater knowledge and a higher playing level.
After open chords come barre chords: chords where you press several strings at the same time with one finger, like a 'capo with your index finger'.
For example: the F chord.
Why are barre chords difficult?
-
You need more power.
-
Your fingers must be positioned precisely.
-
They require more technique than open chords.
But... once you master barre chords, countless possibilities open up for you. You can move the same chord shape across the neck, allowing you to play dozens of new chords with the same grip.
Tip: Start with Bm or Am barre chords on the 5th or 7th fret. These are easier to press than the tight F chord at the bottom of the neck.
Power Chords
Power chords or in English “Powerchords” are often used during rock, punk or metal music. In fact, a power chord is a facilitated barre chord. You play a power chord with your index finger, middle finger and little finger. A power chord is indicated by the 5 that is noted with the chord name, for example C5. In addition, on a power chord you only play on 2 to 3 strings.
Chords in keys
Are you about to learn a song through guitar chords? Then you must have noticed that the guitar chords are divided into different letters. There is an A chord, a C chord and an E chord to name just a few examples. The letter in the guitar chord name indicates in which key signature this handle stands.
Guitar chords are named based on the root that is dominant in the chord and the specific distances between the other notes. You can recognize the root note by the letter that stands for the chord. Do you play a C chord?
Then the root note is a C.
Difference guitar chords vs guitar tabs
Many musicians find guitar chords difficult and therefore choose to take guitar lessons with Guitar Tabs. The difference between guitar chords and tabs is actually not that big at all. In fact, both methods teach you to play a particular song in the same way. Obviously there is a clear difference. When you use guitar chords, you often only see the letters. For example, the chord progression looks like this: A - C - C - D. It is only possible to play guitar chords if you are already familiar with the chords.
It is therefore useful to play with guitar chords if you have some knowledge of the chords. On the other hand, absolutely anyone can play tabs. With tablature it is literally explained per string on which box you should place your finger. This makes playing guitar with tabs very easy. In general, therefore, by beginning musicians and people who can not really play the guitar prefer tabs. The more experienced musicians often prefer guitar chords.
Learn Guitar Chords
Guitar chords, or "guitar chords" in English, are certain fingertips you can make with your fingers on a guitar or other stringed instrument. Such a chord creates a harmony of several notes. This harmony is fused into one musical sound for the human ear. Playing chords on the guitar is sometimes more difficult than it seems. Firstly, this has to do with the learning process. When you are new to playing the guitar, you must first learn to read the chords in order to then be able to play these fingertips.
This usually means understanding the musical theory behind guitar chords. That is not easy for everyone. Second, making these fingering for certain chords is simply quite difficult. You have to make separate shapes with your fingers. That is why, for example, children learn to play the guitar on a children's guitar. With such a small guitar, the distance between the frets is shorter, making it easier to pick up a chord.
Learn to play guitar chords
At Guitartabs.nl it is possible to take guitar lessons online with guitar chords as well as with tabs. We offer a variety of classes with both methods. This allows you to choose which option is best for you. Whether you use chords or tabs, at Guitar Tabs everyone can learn to play guitar at their own pace.
Sign up and learn your favorite song by playing the correct chords in rhythm one after the other.
Gratis proefperiode
guitar songs
Songs in C
Songs in D
Songs in E
Songs in F
Songs in G
Songs in A
Songs in B
Practice and common mistakes
Practicing 15 minutes a day is better than 2 hours a week at once. Consistency = king.
Common beginner mistakes:
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Not pressing the strings properly → dull sound.
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Not playing relaxed → cramping.
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Wanting to change chords too quickly → sloppiness.
Tips:
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Practice without playing: make chord changes while watching TV.
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Play along with backing tracks.
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Record yourself and listen critically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I learn notes?
No, you can learn chords without sheet music.
What if my fingers hurt?
That is normal in the beginning. After a few weeks you will build up calluses.
How long does it take to learn chords?
You can learn the basics within a few weeks, but playing fluently often takes months.
Conclusion and encouragement
Learning guitar chords is the beginning of a musical journey. It may seem difficult at first, but as you continue to practice, your transitions will become smoother, your chords will sound clearer, and you will be playing more and more songs that you know and love. Don’t give up – every top guitarist started with C, G, and Am!