How to play any guitar chord

Let's start with the basics:

• A chord is a group of three or more notes played simultaneously, creating a harmonious sound (for example the notes of C major, are C, E, and G, with C being the root note). This harmony is what gives music its depth, emotion, and character.

Chord diagrams (also known as chord charts) are a beginner guitarist's best friend, and show you exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard to make a chord.

Let’s take a look at this diagram of a C chord to find out what each part means:

Vertical lines - Strings 

• The vertical lines represent the individual strings of the instrument (in this case the 6 strings of a guitar). The far left line represents the thickest string (low E on guitar), while the far right line represents the thinnest string (high E on a guitar).

Horizontal lines - Frets 

• The horizontal lines across the strings indicate frets, with the top bold line marking the zero fret (positioned at the headstock end of the neck).

Numbered dots - Finger placement

• The dots across the frets tell you where your fingers go with each dot numbered to correspond with your fingers:

  1 = Index finger 

  2 = Middle finger

  3 = Ring finger

  4 = Little finger

  T = Thumb (if shown)

‘𝝬’ / ‘O’ - Mute / Play strings 

• A chord diagram also contains empty circles and crosses above the zero fret. Empty circles indicate open strings, whereas crosses tell you which strings to avoid playing.

Check out teacher and pro guitarist Orbel Babayan (Scars on Broadway) with a snippet from his Acoustic Guitar for Beginners course explaining how to read chord diagrams.

If you’re feeling inspired to pick up the guitar and start learning. Sign up for Orbel’s full course, but if electric is more your thing, try out Electric Guitar for Beginners by internet sensation Dre DiMura.

Now that you've got a handle on reading charts, explore hundreds of guitar chords with our free interactive chord chart. Perfect for beginners learning basic major or minor chords or those looking to expand into more complex, colourful chords, such as seventh chords, and suspended chords.If you’re just starting out on guitar here are a few pointers to help you get strumming:

As a beginner, it's important to understand a few basic chord types. Here's a brief rundown of some essentials:

• Major Chords: Bright and happy sounding.

• Minor Chords: Softer and more somber.

• Seventh Chords: Add a sense of tension or a bluesy feel.

• Power Chords: Used in rock and metal, focusing on root and fifth notes.

• Barre Chords: Versatile, allowing for chord shapes to be moved around the fretboard.

• C Major: The foundation of many songs, offering a clear, happy sound.

• G Major: Widely used, providing a full, rich tone.

• D Major: Known for its bright, uplifting quality.

• E Minor: Offers a deeper, more somber tone, perfect for adding emotion.

• A Minor: Easy to learn, delivering a soft, melodic sound.

… And the hardest chord to play for a beginner guitarist?: F Major (requires a barre shape)

The great news is, learning these essential chords will open up a world of popular songs for you to play!

Ever wondered how so many songs seem to share a similar feel? It's all thanks to chord progressions — the order chords are played in a song.

Practice these progressions and you'll be surprised how many songs you can play!:

• The Big Three (G, C, D): This timeless trio remains a powerhouse. Think pop hits like "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and countless chart-toppers across genres.

• The Feel-Good Gang (G, D, Em): This progression continues to fuel feel-good anthems! Strum along to modern hits like "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars or "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

• The Minor Mastermind (Am, C, F, G): This versatile combo's popularity hasn't faded. Explore a range of emotions from "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi to the hopeful vibes of "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay.

The beauty lies in their flexibility — you can experiment with strumming patterns and fingerpicking styles to create your own unique sound.

Making your guitar chords more interesting involves adding variety and complexity to your playing. Try out these:

• Extended Chords: Incorporate chords like 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th for complex harmonies.

• Suspended Chords: Use sus2 and sus4 chords to add tension and release in your progressions.

• Chord Inversions: Play chords with different notes in the bass to vary their sound and texture.

• Slash Chords: Experiment with chords that have a bass note different from the root for interesting voicings.

• Alternate Tunings: Try tuning your guitar differently (e.g., DADGAD, Open G) for new chord shapes and sounds.

• Use a Capo: Shift the capo across frets to easily change keys and explore different voicings without altering finger positions.

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you want to learn the beauty of these more complex chords now, try ArtMaster’s Color Chords Course, with chord melody enthusiast Arianna Powell — LA guitarist who's toured with Drake, Black Eyed Peas and Dua Lipa.

There are plenty of online tools that help you work out the chords to your favourite songs — but our top pick is Chordify.

• Chordify is a reverse chord finder that can turn any song into chords for guitar, piano, and ukulele, offering a simple way for musicians to play along with their favourite tunes. It's a user-friendly platform with access to a vast library of songs.

If you prefer something more structured — songs that have already been broken down and chosen for their chord simplicity — the following articles are a great place to begin

• 1-chord songs: when less is more

• 25+ easy two-chord songs

• 60+ easy 3-chord songs

• 100+ songs with just 4 chords

Each includes tips, chord diagrams, and real examples to help you learn faster.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your practice sessions:

• Start slowly: Focus on accuracy before speed.

• Less hand watching: Rely on touch, not sight, for chord placement.

• Lighter strings: Choose thinner strings for easier playability.

• Correct posture: Good form is key for comfortable playing.

• Use a metronome: Helps train your rhythm and timing.

• Palm muting: Use it to add rhythm and texture.

• Learn barre chords: Essential for expanding your sound.

• Hand exercises: Improve strength and flexibility.

• Build calluses: They minimize pain and enhance sound clarity.

► ARTMASTER TIP: To help you on your way, take a look at our collection of free customizable guitar tools, where you’ll find our chord chart generator, a metronome and a guitar tuner. And be sure to check out our guides on how to tune a guitar and practicing with a metronome.

Once you have a bit of chord practice behind you, you'll be able to start learning the chords to those songs you love.

Learn everything from acoustic basics to expressive soloing with professional guitarists & teachers:

• Dre DiMura (50M+ TikTok views)

• Orbel Babayan (Scars on Broadway)

• Arianna Powell (Dua Lipa & Halsey)

• Kfir Ochaion (2.1M YouTube subs).

Start Your FREE 7-Day Trial!

What is the easiest chord to learn first?

Most beginners start with E minor or G major. These chords use only a few fingers and appear in hundreds of well-known songs.

What’s the difference between a major and minor chord?

A major chord sounds bright and happy. A minor chord has a darker, more melancholic tone. The difference lies in the third note of the chord.

What does a chord diagram show?

Chord diagrams show you exactly where to place your fingers on the guitar. They indicate which strings to play, which frets to press, and which fingers to use.

How do I use the interactive chord finder tool?

Choose a root note and a chord type. The tool will generate a clear chord diagram showing you how to play it on the guitar.

Which chords should I learn first as a beginner?

Start with open chords like C major, G major, D major, E minor, and A minor. These are used in thousands of songs and help build finger strength and coordination.

Matt Ford is a musician, writer, and lifelong student of sound.

With years of experience in both performing and teaching, he shares practical advice through ArtMaster to help musicians at every level build skill, confidence, and joy in their playing.