ChordVisual

Chord library

Every chord, with the shape in front of you.

Start with the open chords. Each one has a full guide: fingering order, the mistakes that cause buzzes, a practice drill and the chords it moves to. When the open shapes feel natural, the barre chords are next.

8 open chords2 barre chordsAudio + diagrams

Start here

Open chords

The 8-chord starter guide

C

Beginner · 1 – 3 – 5

C, Open C. Frets: muted, 3, 2, open, 1, open.EADGBe321
C · E · GGuide

G

Beginner · 1 – 3 – 5

G, Open G. Frets: 3, 2, open, open, open, 3.EADGBe213
G · B · DGuide

D

Beginner · 1 – 3 – 5

D, Open D. Frets: muted, muted, open, 2, 3, 2.EADGBe132
D · F# · AGuide

A

Beginner · 1 – 3 – 5

A, Open A. Frets: muted, open, 2, 2, 2, open.EADGBe123
A · C# · EGuide

E

Beginner · 1 – 3 – 5

E, Open E. Frets: open, 2, 2, 1, open, open.EADGBe231
E · G# · BGuide

Am

Beginner · 1 – ♭3 – 5

Am, Open Am. Frets: muted, open, 2, 2, 1, open.EADGBe231
A · C · EGuide

Em

Beginner · 1 – ♭3 – 5

Em, Open Em. Frets: open, 2, 2, open, open, open.EADGBe23
E · G · BGuide

Dm

Beginner · 1 – ♭3 – 5

Dm, Open Dm. Frets: muted, muted, open, 2, 3, 1.EADGBe231
D · F · AGuide

Next step

Barre chords

These are harder on the fingers, but they unlock every key. Start with F, then Bm.

F

Intermediate · 1 – 3 – 5

F, F barre (1st fret). Frets: 1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1. Barre at fret 1 with the index finger.EADGBe1342
F · A · CGuide

Bm

Intermediate · 1 – ♭3 – 5

Bm, Bm barre (2nd fret). Frets: muted, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2. Barre at fret 2 with the index finger.EADGBe2fr1342
B · D · F#Guide

Rock

Power chords

Root plus fifth, no third. Two movable shapes cover every key and stay clear under distortion. Start with the chart, then move the shape to a new root.

Open the power chord chart

Not sure which chord to learn next?

Use the chord finder: pick a root and quality, see two movable shapes, and hear the chord before you commit. It covers all twelve roots.

Open the chord finder