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A Beginner’s Guide to Open Chords

Written on November 26, 2009 by in Beginner, Chords
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A lot of you beginners have mentioned to me that you’re at the stage where you’re working on chords, so I thought that today I would bring you a handy little video which very simply focuses on open chords, how you play them and what they sound like.

I’ve included a chord chart beside each one I teach right inside the video.

The major chords that are covered in here are: A, B, C, D, E, F, G

The minor chords that are covered in here are: Am, Bm, Cm, Dm, Em

I fully realize there are a LOT more chords out there, but with the handful I’ve just listed you can play probably 90% of the songs that are out there. Cm doesn’t even need to be in that list, I kind of threw it in because it is just like Bm, but moved up 1 fret.

If this lesson is about the right speed for you, you might consider checking out Jamorama. Their entire course is chock full of these types of examples, though done much more professionally than I’ve done here! =)

Jamorama

Questions or Comments? Leave one below!

10 Comments - Leave a comment!
  • John Bradshaw

    Thanks for the cords> You make it look soooo easy

  • Nick

    Hi John,

    I’m really at the beginning of playing guitar, at this time, I only know 6 notes on 2 strings… I couldn’t do this right now… LOL :D

  • Ron Towle

    A nice presentation,J

  • Ted

    Can you tell me how to tune a guitar so all strings on one fret makes a cord? and which fret is which cord?

  • Jonathan

    @Ted – there are many different alternate tunings that you can do with your guitar – just google ‘alternate guitar tunings’ and you’ll find tons. I’m going to be doing some lesson on them in the future – but a quick tip – just think of what notes are in the chord you want, then try tuning your guitar that way…

  • Joanne

    hey there Jonathan,
    I am finding your tips really good, Finding more time to practise and keep those fingers moving is mainly my downfall I think & just love your DVDs I can go back over & over them if I don’t catch on from the start. Many thanks Joanne

  • john taylor

    I am a musision,playing alto sax. So I am familiar with chords etc.However I would dearly love to play chords on the guitar but I cannot stop fouling the strings and it is impossible to make a clean sound. I have normal size hands and fingers, but cannot find a method that will stop me contacting the strings next to the one I wish to play.
    As I find it very frustrating not being able to play the guitar, can you help me overcome this problem.

    Thanks for reading this, yours gratefully john.

  • Jonathan

    Hi John,

    I would recommend starting with a very simple chord – Em – and work on getting that chord sounding very clean. You could then add Am7, which is also a two finger chord, and practice switching between the two, focusing on nothing else other than getting each string to sound clear. Take a look at your fingers – perhaps even in a mirror – as your fingers are probably touching other strings. In the beginning, it will seem awkward and may feel like you’re contorting your fingers; however they will quickly become more comfortable with the chords. As you get familiar with those chords, you can start adding some of the other ones.

    Hope that helps!

  • Justin

    That was great Jonathan. I don’t exactly rock at those chords, especially the B’s. But those 3-4 chord progressions are about 90% of my practice. Open chords are way better for beginners than barre chords. Thanks for the video!

  • Terry

    Hi John, I have learned some of the chords now but like you I had a hard time of it and still have trouble sometimes when changing fast, I noticed that the more I played my fingers started to adapt and the less trouble I had. I my self had a hard time with C and G so I just played each one it self till it sounded right alternating to keep the boredom down and then practiced changing back and forth till I finally got it then added one chord at a time and found it worked well now I need to learn bar chords and plan to do the same with them learn the hardest ones and then the rest come easier hope that inspires, I bet the sax don’t come easy at first either so it’s just time and effort but it is frustrating I know but you got this right like a Rock. Peace bro.