Open String Chords

This is one of those “back to basics” posts that is always worth doing. As you’ve probably noticed I focus on closed guitar chords that allow me to play in any key quickly and easily. However, whenever I pick up and acoustic guitar, you can bet that the first thing I do is strum all the basics that I played as a kid, and that still sound good!

So these are the most popular guitar chords that you’ll encounter. Perhaps, just as importantly, they are the root shapes which much of the more advanced chord shapes are based. These are also the chords make best use of open strings – you’ll not find me trying to force out an Eb Minor chord, using open strings, when I know that the bar chord will always be preferable.

Major Chords

Minor Chords

Major 7th Chords

Dominant 7th Chords

Minor 7th Chords