Open guitar chords are the chords that are played in the open position of the guitar’s neck. The open position extends across the first 3 frets of your guitar.Â
Chords played in this position are called open chords because they require open strings to play them. By the way, “open strings” are what we call strings that you don’t have to fret down.
Because of their relative simplicity to other types of chords, these chords are a great entry point to learning chord progressions, music theory, and experiencing the rewarding feeling of playing a song for the first time. Because of this, open chords are often the first types of chords all guitarists learn.
In this article we will show you all 13 open chords, give some right hand strumming patterns, and even a few progressions. Who knows, by the end of this lesson you might have your first song written. Let’s get started!
Basic Open Chords
There are 6 major open chords, you will be seeing these chords again and again throughout your career as a guitarist, so it is best to learn them all. Who knows how many songs you can play just by knowing these basic open chords!
E Major
- Place the index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
A Major
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
D Major
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3nd fret of the 2nd string.
G Major
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.
- Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
C Major
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
F Major
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string and barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
Expanded Open Chords
Unfortunately, just playing major chords gets a little boring after a while. Because music needs variety, learning some minor and dominant 7 chords could help add depth to your music.
Open Minor Chords
E min
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
A min
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
D min
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.
Dominant 7 Chords
If you haven’t learned any 7th chords yet, let these dominant 7th chords be your first. Dominant 7th chords are the 5th chord of a key. They are most commonly used to lead back to the tonic.Â
E7
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
A7
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
D7
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
G7
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.
B7
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your pinky on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
Strumming Patterns and Rhythm
Now that you know how to play your open chords, you need to add a rhythmic element to make those chords sound musical. These right hand strumming patterns will help you get into the groove! They start easy and increase in difficulty. Go ahead and give them a try!
Pattern 1
Pattern 2
Pattern 3
Pattern 4
Pattern 5
Common Progressions With Open Chords
Are you ready to get strumming some songs? These common chord progressions below all use the chords we discussed above. Also, all of these progressions have been transposed to the key of C to keep things as simple as possible. Let’s get to it!
2 5 1 6 Progression
C G7 Am F
6 4 1 5 Progression
Am F C G7
1 4 5 4 Progression
C F G7 F
1 6 4 5 Progression
C Am F G7
2 5 1 6 Progression
Dm G7 C Am
Tips For Mastery
Don’t expect yourself to remember all of these chords right away, memorization comes along with regular practice. Here are some tips for mastering your open chords.
Learn Through Playing Songs
Playing songs with open chords in them can help you see all the connections between so many popular songs today. Learning new songs helps us to learn and have fun at the same time.
Learn Songs In New Keys
It can be tempting to just stay in the key of C, because most lessons are taught in C. However it is important to learn all of the chords in other keys as well as their harmonic relationship to one another. For example, can you play a 2 5 6 1 progression in D major? The chords would be Em A7 Bm D. Playing songs in new keys forces us to learn new chords to add to our vocabulary.
Practice With A Metronome
Many are discouraged when they cannot switch between chords with ease, the trick is to slow down and move each finger one at a time. Strum quarter notes before adding in rhythmic variations with the right hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 6 open strings on the guitar?
The 6 strings on a guitar are EADGBE. Remember the acronym – Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie. Kinda morbid, I know.
What are open tunings on guitar?
Open tunings are when the unfretted or open strings of the guitar are tuned in such a way as to sound a specific chord, such as open D. Standard tuning is not an open tuning.
What chord is all open strings?
This question is a bit of a riddle for music theorists… It cannot be answered simply. But a few common suggestions are: Em11, E7add9, A11/E, Em7add11… Either way, the pattern of open strings were not really meant to form a chord, they were meant to make it easy to form fretted chords.
What is a cowboy chord?
A cowboy chord is just another name for an open chord or any chord played down low on the neck. This name was popularized from the popularity of open chords in country, folk, and western music.
Related: The CAGED System
Other Types Of Chords
Learn Barre Chords On The Guitar
What Are Guitar Power Chords: Everything You Need To Know
Guitar Chords: Basics, Theory, & Mastery
Conclusion
Open chords are chords that use open strings to play. These chords are played within the first 3 frets of the guitar.Â
Open chords are the first chords many beginners learn. They are easy enough to give us a chance to learn music theory and songs with relative ease. Not to mention, boost our confidence and invite us to take on new challenges on the guitar. Best of all, these chords are versatile, being played in the genres of folk, jazz, blues, and pop.
In this article we learned 13 open chords. 5 major, 3 minor, and 5 dominant 7ths. Learning new songs on the guitar is a great way to utilize your knowledge of chords, as well as encourage yourself to grow.Â
Practicing in different keys will assist you in becoming a well rounded and knowledgeable musician. When in doubt, slow down and use a metronome. Sometimes you might need to practice with your right and left hands separately before you can play them together.
Congratulations on this new important step towards guitar mastery!
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