Chord Library: Open Chords, 7ths & Beginner Barre Chords

Diagrams read left (low E string) to right (high E). O = open, X = muted. Fingerings cross-checked against reputable sources (see data/chords.json: Fender chord articles and JustinGuitar chord library, checked 2026-10-17). Start with Em and Am, then G, C, D - barre chords come later, after open chords feel easy.

Major (open)

A

x02220 - mute low E; index/middle/ring on frets 2 of D, G, B

Frets (low to high): muted, open, 2, 2, 2, open

C

x32010 - ring on A string fret 3, middle D fret 2, index B fret 1

Frets (low to high): muted, 3, 2, open, 1, open

D

xx0232 - play from the D string down

Frets (low to high): muted, muted, open, 2, 3, 2

E

022100 - middle/ring on A and D fret 2, index G fret 1

Frets (low to high): open, 2, 2, 1, open, open

G

320003 - A string fret 2, low E string fret 3, high E string fret 3 (commonly middle, ring, pinky fingers)

Frets (low to high): 3, 2, open, open, open, 3

Minor (open)

A minor (Am)

x02210

Frets (low to high): muted, open, 2, 2, 1, open

D minor (Dm)

xx0231

Frets (low to high): muted, muted, open, 2, 3, 1

E minor (Em)

022000 - easiest first chord for many beginners

Frets (low to high): open, 2, 2, open, open, open

7ths (open)

A7

x02020

Frets (low to high): muted, open, 2, open, 2, open

B7

x21202

Frets (low to high): muted, 2, 1, 2, open, 2

C7

x32310

Frets (low to high): muted, 3, 2, 3, 1, open

D7

xx0212

Frets (low to high): muted, muted, open, 2, 1, 2

E7

020100

Frets (low to high): open, 2, open, 1, open, open

G7

320001

Frets (low to high): 3, 2, open, open, open, 1

Beginner barre

F (E-shape barre, fret 1)

133211 - index barres all strings at fret 1; middle on G string fret 2; ring and pinky on A and D strings fret 3. Hardest beginner barre - build up to it.

Frets (low to high): 1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1

B minor (Bm, A-shape barre, fret 2)

x24432 - index barres strings 1-5 at fret 2 (mute low E), middle B string fret 3, ring/pinky fret 4. Per Fender Bm chord article.

Frets (low to high): muted, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2

F# minor (F#m, E-shape barre, fret 2)

244222 - Em shape moved up 2 frets behind an index barre

Frets (low to high): 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2

Source note: Fingerings cross-checked against Fender chord articles (fender.com/articles/chords) and JustinGuitar chord library descriptions, 2026-10-17. Standard open/barre fingerings in standard tuning.

See the 30-day plan for how to practise them, and tune up first with our microphone tuner.