Guitar Chords Reference
Learn and review essential guitar chords with clear diagrams and practical playing tips.
About Guitar Chords
A guitar chord is a group of notes played together to create harmony. Learning chords matters because they form the backbone of most songs.
Each diagram shows where to place your fingers on the fretboard. Vertical lines are strings from the 6th to the 1st, and horizontal lines are frets.
If you still mix up chord diagrams and tab notation, read our beginner guide to guitar tabs. They solve different problems, and knowing the difference makes learning songs much easier.
- Dots with numbers show where to place your fingers (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky).
- ○ above the diagram means play that string open.
- ✕ above the diagram means do not play that string.
- Numbers on the left show the starting fret for barre chords.
C
C Major
C Major uses the notes C, E, G and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
D
D Major
D Major uses the notes D, F#, A and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
E
E Major
E Major uses the notes E, G#, B and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
G
G Major
G Major uses the notes G, B, D and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
A
A Major
A Major uses the notes A, C#, E and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
F
F Major
F Major uses the notes F, A, C and gives you a clear major-chord sound.
Am
A Minor
A Minor uses the notes A, C, E and gives you a darker minor-chord color.
Em
E Minor
E Minor uses the notes E, G, B and gives you a darker minor-chord color.
Dm
D Minor
D Minor uses the notes D, F, A and gives you a darker minor-chord color.
Fm
F Minor
F Minor uses the notes F, Ab, C and gives you a darker minor-chord color.
Cm
C Minor
C Minor uses the notes C, Eb, G and gives you a darker minor-chord color.
C7
C Dominant 7
C Dominant 7 uses the notes C, E, G, Bb and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
D7
D Dominant 7
D Dominant 7 uses the notes D, F#, A, C and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
E7
E Dominant 7
E Dominant 7 uses the notes E, G#, B, D and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
G7
G Dominant 7
G Dominant 7 uses the notes G, B, D, F and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
A7
A Dominant 7
A Dominant 7 uses the notes A, C#, E, G and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
B7
B Dominant 7
B Dominant 7 uses the notes B, D#, F#, A and adds tension that often wants to resolve.
Cmaj7
C Major 7
C Major 7 uses the notes C, E, G, B and adds a smoother, more open major-7 sound.
Dmaj7
D Major 7
D Major 7 uses the notes D, F#, A, C# and adds a smoother, more open major-7 sound.
Emaj7
E Major 7
E Major 7 uses the notes E, G#, B, D# and adds a smoother, more open major-7 sound.
Am7
A Minor 7
A Minor 7 uses the notes A, C, E, G and adds a softer, more relaxed minor-7 color.
Em7
E Minor 7
E Minor 7 uses the notes E, G, B, D and adds a softer, more relaxed minor-7 color.
Dm7
D Minor 7
D Minor 7 uses the notes D, F, A, C and adds a softer, more relaxed minor-7 color.
Chord Practice Tips
Start with Basic Chords
Begin with open chords like Em, Am, C, D, and G. They are easier for beginners and appear in countless songs.
Practice Chord Transitions
Do not only drill isolated chords. Move slowly through common progressions like C-Am-F-G or G-Em-C-D until the changes feel smooth.
If you mainly play rock or lower tunings, add power chords for beginnersto your routine. They are easier to move than full barre chords and show up constantly in riff-based playing.
Check Your Finger Placement
Press each finger firmly and keep it close to the fret without sitting on top of it. Pick each string one by one to catch buzzes and muted notes.
Use a Metronome
Practice chord changes in time with a metronome. Start slowly, then raise the tempo only after the progression feels controlled.
Barre Chords Take Time
Shapes like F major and F minor need strength and patience because one finger must press multiple strings evenly.
Popular Chord Progressions
I-V-vi-IV (Pop Progression)
Example in C: C - G - Am - F
One of the most common pop progressions. It sounds familiar, versatile, and easy to reuse in songs.
12-Bar Blues
Example in A: A7 - A7 - A7 - A7 - D7 - D7 - A7 - A7 - E7 - D7 - A7 - E7
A blues foundation built around dominant 7 chords and a clear call-and-response feel.
I-IV-V (Rock Progression)
Example in G: G - C - D
A classic rock progression that is simple, direct, and powerful.
vi-IV-I-V (Emotional Progression)
Example in C: Am - F - C - G
A softer progression often used in ballads and reflective pop songs.