Guitar chords and tabs everything you need to know on one page

Guitar chords are the fundamental building blocks of guitar playing. They are how guitarists create music and express themselves. Learning guitar chords can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. However, with knowledge and practice, it is possible to learn all guitar chords from easy to complex.

Start with the basic guitar chords

To start off with the basics, open chords are probably the best place to begin. Open chords consist of notes that are played in open strings (unfretted strings). Examples include E Major, A Minor and D Major – some of the most common guitar chord shapes. These basic guitar chords can also be used as foundational blocks when learning harder chord shapes down the road.

Progress to barre chords

From there, guitarists often progress to barre chords. Barre chords involve pressing down on guitar strings with a single finger in order to play multiple notes at the same time. Due to their unique shape, barre chords can be more difficult for guitarists to learn initially. However, once guitarists have mastered these chord shapes, they are incredibly versatile and often used in various musical styles such as rock or jazz.

Move to more complex guitar chords

Guitarists may choose to incorporate more complex guitar chords such as diminished or augmented guitar chords into their repertoire. Diminished guitar chords consist of four notes that include a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th interval while augmented guitar chords feature a major 3rd and an augmented 5th interval. These interesting chord shapes can add color and emotion to any piece of music.

Learning a guitar chord

Learning guitar chords can be challenging but with patience and practice, guitarists of all levels are able to learn guitar chords from easy to complex. With the right knowledge and dedication, guitarists will have an arsenal of guitar chords at their disposal with which to create beautiful music.

and the basics of guitar chords for easy guitar playing. If you’re a beginner guitar player, it can be daunting to dive into guitar chords. You’ll want to become familiar with guitar chord shapes and their names before attempting more complex guitar chords. These are the basic guitar chords that every guitar player should know:

  • - Major Chords: A major, C major, D major, E major, F major, G major
  • - Minor Chords: A minor, C minor, D minor, E minor, F minor, G minor
  • - 7th Chords: A7th (A dominant seventh), B7th (B dominant seventh), C7th (C dominant seventh), D7th (D dominant seventh), E7th (E dominant seventh), F7th (F dominant seventh), G7th (G dominant seventh)

What I wish I knew my first year of guitar (chords)


How to play a guitar chord

Now that you understand the basics of guitar chords, let's talk about how to play guitar chords. First and foremost, guitar chords are played with both hands. Your fretting hand should remain on the strings for each chord and use your other hand to strum them. To start a guitar chord, place your index finger at one of the notes that is part of the chord. Next, move your middle finger to another note in the same string and then place your ring finger on another note from the guitar chord. Finally, use your pinky or thumb as needed to complete guitar chords.

Start by practicing guitar chords using basic guitar chords. As you become more comfortable and have mastered guitar chords, then move on to more complex guitar chords like minor guitar chords or 7th guitar chords. Practice makes perfect when it comes to playing guitar chords, so don’t be afraid to practice as much as possible.

Major guitar chords

Here are the most common major guitar chords all summed up and explained.

A major guitar chord

A major guitar chord is one of the most common guitar chords used in music. It consists of four notes, with a root note followed by three notes that make up the major 3rd and perfect 5th intervals. A major guitar chord provides a bright and cheerful sound, making it popular in many genres including rock and pop.  This guitar chord can be strummed or played individually to create a beautiful melody. With practice, guitarists can learn this important guitar chord shape and use it in their own compositions.

C minor guitar chord

C minor guitar chord is a common guitar chord that consists of three notes with a root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart. C minor guitar chord can be used to create interesting progressions and add depth to any piece of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play c minor guitar chords fluently.

D major guitar chord

D major guitar chord is made up of four notes and is one of the most commonly used guitar chords. It consists of the root note, followed by a major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces a bright and cheerful sound that can be used in many genres such as rock or pop. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play D major guitar chords fluently.

E major guitar chord

E major guitar chord is made up of four notes and is one of the most commonly used guitar chords. It consists of a root note followed by a major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces a bright and cheerful sound that can be used in many genres such as rock or pop. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play E major guitar chords fluently.

F major guitar chord

F major guitar chord is made up of four notes and is one of the most commonly used guitar chords. It consists of a root note followed by a major 3rd, perfect 5th and augmented 4th. This guitar chord produces a bright, happy sound that can be used in many genres such as rock or pop. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play F major guitar chords fluently.

G minor guitar chord

G minor guitar chord is made up of three notes and is one of the most commonly used guitar chords. It consists of the root note followed by a minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart. G minor guitar chord can be used to create interesting progressions and add depth to any piece of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play g minor guitar chords fluently.

Minor Guitar Chords

Here are all minor guitar chords explained.

A minor guitar chord

A minor guitar chord is made up of three notes and consists of the root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart and can help guitarists create interesting progressions in their compositions. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play A minor guitar chords fluently.

C minor guitar chord

C minor guitar chord is also made up of three notes with a root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart and can be used to create interesting progressions and add depth to any piece of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play C minor guitar chords fluently.

D minor guitar chord

D minor guitar chord is also made up of three notes with a root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker sound than its major counterpart and works great in slower songs that require more emotion. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play D minor guitar chords fluently.

E minor guitar chord

E minor guitar chord consists of three notes with a root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a dark, melancholic sound that can be used to create interesting progressions in any type of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play E minor guitar chords fluently.

F minor guitar chord

F minor guitar chord consists of three notes with a root note, followed by the minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker sound than its major counterpart and is widely used in rock songs for guitar solos or rhythmic accompaniment. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play F minor guitar chords fluently.

G minor guitar chord

G minor guitar chord is made up of three notes and consists of the root note, followed by a minor 3rd and perfect 5th. This guitar chord produces a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart and can be used to create interesting progressions in any type of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play G minor guitar chords fluently.

Guitarists who are serious about learning guitar chords should make sure to practice with dedication and consistency. Mastering guitar chords takes time and patience, but the results are worth it. With the right guidance and resources, guitarists of all levels can learn how to play guitar chords fluently. All that’s left is for them to get out there and start jamming.

Power chords guitar

7th guitar chords

A7th (A dominant seventh), B7th (B dominant seventh), C7th (C dominant seventh), D7th (D dominant seventh), E7th (E dominant seventh), F7th (F dominant seventh), G7th (G dominant seventh)

A7th guitar chord

A7th guitar chord is made up of four notes including the root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces an intense sound that can be used to create interesting progressions in a wide range of musical styles. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play A7th guitar chords fluently.

B7th guitar chord 

B7th guitar chord is also made up of four notes including the root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces a darker sound than its major counterpart and can be used to create exciting guitar solos or accompaniment patterns. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play B7th guitar chords fluently.

C7th guitar chord 

C7th guitar chord consists of four notes with a root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces an intense sound that adds tension to any musical arrangement and can be used to create interesting progressions in any type of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play C7th guitar chords fluently. 

D7th guitar chord 

D7th guitar chord is made up of four notes including the root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces a bluesy sound that can be used to create exciting guitar solos or accompaniment patterns in any kind of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play D7th guitar chords fluently.

E7th guitar chord 

E7th guitar chord is also composed of four notes with a root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces a darker sound than its major counterpart and is often used to create the blues guitar sound. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play E7th guitar chords fluently.

F7th guitar chord 

F7th guitar chord is made up of four notes including the root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces an intense sound that adds tension to any musical arrangement and can be used in a variety of musical styles from jazz to rock. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play F7th guitar chords fluently.

G7th guitar chord 

G7th guitar chord consists of four notes with a root note, followed by the major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. This guitar chord produces an intense sound that can be used to create interesting progressions in any type of music. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play G7th guitar chords fluently.

E7th guitar chord

E7th guitar chord is a dominant seventh guitar chord that consists of four notes with the root note being followed by a major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th interval. This guitar chord produces a jazzy or bluesy sound that can be used to create interesting progressions. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play E7th guitar chords fluently.

Barre Guitar Chords

Barre chords are guitar chords played using one finger in multiple frets at once. They can be used to play any major, minor or seventh guitar chords by fretting the root note of the guitar chord with your index finger and then adding other notes from the same guitar chord with other fingers (or open string). To master barre chords guitarists must practice and get familiar with the guitar chord shapes by playing them multiple times. With dedication, guitar players can learn how to play barre chords fluently and add a new dimension to their guitar playing. 

Diminished guitar chords

Barre chords are guitar chords played by fretting the root note of the guitar chord with your index finger and then adding other notes from the same guitar chord with other fingers (or open strings). To master barre chords guitarists must practice and get familiar with the guitar chord shapes by playing them multiple times. With dedication, guitar players can learn how to play barre chords fluently and add a new dimension to their guitar playing.

Diminished guitar chords consist of three notes, including a root note followed by two minor 3rd intervals away from it. These guitar chords produce an intense sound that can be used in different styles of music such as jazz or rock. To master this shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play diminished guitar chords fluently.

Augmented guitar chords

Augmented guitar chords consist of four notes, including a root note followed by two major 3rd intervals away from it. This guitar chord produces an intense sound that adds tension to any musical arrangement and can be used in a variety of musical styles from jazz to rock. To master this guitar chord shape, practice playing it on different strings until you become comfortable with it. With dedication and persistence, guitarists can learn how to play augmented guitar chords fluently.

augmented-guitar-chords-all

Practice guitar chords

Practicing guitar chords is essential for guitarists who want to make the most out of their instrument. Repetition and consistency are key to mastering guitar chords, so guitarists should make it a point to play guitar chords regularly and focus on one guitar chord at a time. With the right attitude and commitment, guitarists can embark on the journey of mastering all types of guitar chords!  Learning guitar chords takes dedication but is certainly worth the effort. It can open up new possibilities for guitar players, allowing them to create interesting progressions or add depth to their musical arrangements.

A guitar chord is composed of two components: a root note, which gives the chord its name, and intervals or notes that can be added to create different textures or flavors. For example, a C major chord consists of three notes: C (the root), E (a third) and G (a fifth). Adding in other intervals such as sevenths, ninths or thirteenths can change the flavor of the chord, giving guitarists more options to choose from when playing.

Reading guitar chord charts is essential to understanding how guitar chords are constructed. A guitar chord chart typically shows the frets and strings of a guitar in diagram form with dots representing the notes that need to be held down at each fret position. The numbers beside each dot indicate which fret needs to be pressed down, while the Xs represent strings that should not be played.

Once you understand guitar chords and how they're constructed, you'll have an easier time learning songs on guitar. Additionally, knowing your guitar chords will help you develop your ear for music and give you a foundation for exploring and mastering other musical concepts such as scales, arpeggios and improvisation techniques.

If you're looking to learn guitar chords and become a better guitar player, practice is key. Learning guitar chords can be an intimidating process but with dedication and time you will soon reap the rewards of your hard work. By understanding guitar chord basics, learning guitar chords becomes an enjoyable process rather than a frustrating one. The more you know the easier it will get to improve.

What about guitar tabs?

Guitar tabs, or tablature, are a type of musical notation that represents the finger positions on the fretboard. Unlike traditional sheet music, which uses symbols and notes to represent the pitch and duration of each note, guitar tabs use numbers to represent each fret and string.

Guitar tabs are an incredibly useful tool for guitarists of all levels. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced musician looking to learn a new song, guitar tabs can provide a quick and easy way to get started.

But why are guitar tabs so popular? Well, for one, they're easy to read and understand. You don't need to be able to read sheet music to understand guitar tabs - all you need is a basic understanding of the instrument and a little bit of practice.

Guitar tabs are also incredibly versatile. They can be used to learn any style of music, from rock and pop to classical and jazz. And with the rise of the internet, guitar tabs are now more accessible than ever before. There are countless websites and online communities dedicated to sharing guitar tabs for popular songs and artists.

Of course, like any tool, guitar tabs do have their limitations. For one, they don't always accurately represent the rhythm and timing of a song. This is especially true for more complex pieces of music, where the timing and phrasing can be just as important as the notes themselves.

Additionally, guitar tabs don't always provide context for the music. They don't tell you what key a song is in, or provide any information about the chords being played. This can make it more difficult to understand the music as a whole, especially for beginners.

But despite these limitations, guitar tabs remain an incredibly useful tool for guitarists. They provide a quick and easy way to learn new music, and are an essential part of the guitarist's toolbox. So if you're looking to learn how to play guitar, or just looking to expand your repertoire, be sure to give guitar tabs a try!

10 most commonly asked questions about guitar tabs

  1. What are guitar tabs? Guitar tabs are a type of musical notation that shows you how to play a song on the guitar. They use a series of numbers and symbols to indicate which strings to play, which frets to press down, and when to strum or pick.

  2. How do I read guitar tabs? To read guitar tabs, you'll need to learn the basics of how they're structured. Each horizontal line represents a string on the guitar, and the numbers on those lines indicate which frets to press down. The top line represents the thinnest string (the high E string), while the bottom line represents the thickest string (the low E string).

  3. Are guitar tabs accurate? While guitar tabs can be a great way to learn a new song quickly, they're not always 100% accurate. Some tabs may be simplified or arranged differently than the original recording, so it's important to listen to the song and compare it to the tab to make sure you're playing it correctly.

  4. Can I use guitar tabs to learn any song? Guitar tabs are available for a wide variety of songs, but not every song has a tab available. If you can't find a tab for a particular song, you may need to rely on sheet music or chord charts instead.

  5. Can I create my own guitar tabs? Yes! If you're a songwriter or want to transcribe a song that doesn't have a tab available, you can create your own guitar tabs. All you need is a basic understanding of how tabs work and a good ear for figuring out melodies and chords.

  6. How do I know which guitar tab to choose? When searching for guitar tabs, it's important to choose one that matches your skill level. Some tabs may be more difficult than others, so look for tabs that are marked as "beginner" or "easy" if you're just starting out.

  7. Are there different types of guitar tabs? Yes, there are different types of guitar tabs that you may come across. Some tabs may use different symbols or notations than others, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the specific type of tab you're using.

  8. Can I use guitar tabs to learn different guitar styles? Absolutely! Guitar tabs can be used to learn a wide variety of guitar styles, from rock and metal to blues and jazz. Just make sure to choose tabs that are appropriate for your skill level and the style of music you're interested in.

  9. Do I need to know how to read sheet music to use guitar tabs? No, you don't need to know how to read sheet music to use guitar tabs. Tabs use a different type of notation that's much easier to understand and follow, making them a popular choice for beginners.

  10. Where can I find guitar tabs? Guitar tabs are available all over the internet, from dedicated tab websites to forums and social media groups. You can also find tabs in guitar magazines or by asking other guitarists for recommendations. Just be sure to use reputable sources and double-check the accuracy of any tabs you use.

10 frequently asked questions about guitar chords

Here are the 10 most asked questions about guitar chords, answered in a way that's down-to-earth and not too technical.

  1. What is a guitar chord? A guitar chord is a group of two or more notes played together on the guitar. Chords are the building blocks of songs, and knowing how to play them is essential for any guitarist.

  2. How do I read guitar chords? Guitar chords are usually written as diagrams with dots and lines representing the strings and frets on the guitar. The dots indicate where to place your fingers, while the lines show which strings to strum.

  3. How many guitar chords are there? There are literally thousands of guitar chords, but most songs use only a handful of them. Learning the basic chords (like C, G, D, and A) will get you through a lot of popular music.

  4. What are power chords? Power chords are a type of chord that are commonly used in rock and metal music. They consist of only two notes (the root note and the fifth) and are played with distortion for a heavy, powerful sound.

  5. How do I make a chord progression? A chord progression is a series of chords played in a specific order. You can make your own chord progressions by experimenting with different chords and finding combinations that sound good together.

  6. What's the difference between major and minor chords? Major chords have a happy, uplifting sound, while minor chords have a sad, melancholy sound. The difference between the two is the placement of the third note in the chord.

  7. What are barre chords? Barre chords are chords that use the index finger to press down all of the strings on a certain fret. They're a bit tricky to learn at first, but once you get the hang of them, you'll be able to play a wider variety of chords.

  8. How do I transition between chords smoothly? Transitioning between chords smoothly takes practice. The key is to keep your fingers close to the strings and to lift them off the fretboard as little as possible when switching between chords.

  9. What are some common chord progressions? Some common chord progressions include the I-IV-V progression (used in a lot of blues and rock music), the I-V-vi-IV progression (used in a lot of pop music), and the ii-V-I progression (used in jazz).

  10. How do I know which chords to use in a song? The chords you use in a song depend on the key of the song and the melody. You can figure out which chords to use by listening to the song and experimenting with different chord progressions until you find one that works.