Strum slowly from the A string down one note at a time to make sure you are fretting each note cleanly and clearly. Be careful to use just the tips of your fingers so you do not mute or muffle any strings. Ready to put it all together? Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, your ring finger on the second fret of the G string, and your pinkie on the second fret of the B string. Your left hand fingers are numbered one through four, starting with your index finger. The numbers at the bottom of the chart tell you which fingers on your left hand you should use to hold down the strings. On this diagram, the three black dots indicate that you will need to press down three strings – the D, G, and B strings – on the second fret. As you strum downward, you will hit the A, D, G, B, and last the high E. If you are holding your guitar like you are ready to play, the string closest to the top should be the thickest string, the low E. The six vertical lines each represent a string, from left to right EADGBE.
Each horizontal line below it represents another fret. The horizontal line at the top of the guitar chord chart is the nut of your guitar, the piece where the head meets the fingerboard. The chart is a graphic representation of the fingerboard of your guitar. Guitar chords are often written out in simple charts like the one on the left.
GUITAR KEY CHART HOW TO
Guitar Chord Charts & Finger Positionsĭon’t worry if you don’t yet know how to read guitar tabs or sheet music. Because some of the strings are played open, these chords are often called “open chords.” Open chords are often used in folk, country, pop, and rock styles of guitar playing. You can produce a note by holding the guitar string down at a specific fret on the guitar’s fingerboard, or you can play the string open, without holding down any frets.įor these basic guitar chords, some strings will need to be fretted while others will be played open. There are two ways you can play a note on the guitar. Grab your guitar and dive into this essential guide to the basic guitar chords you need to know.Ī chord is a group of notes that create a harmony when they are played together. Chords are also the building blocks you’ll need to learn to play many of your favorite songs. Basic Guitar Chord Finger Placement for Beginnersįor many beginners, learning easy guitar chords is a great way to get comfortable with your instrument.