What Are The Basic Chord Types Every Guitarist Should Know?

Whether you’re a seasoned guitarist or just starting out on your musical journey, understanding the basic chord types is essential. These foundational chords lay the groundwork for countless songs and give you the tools to express yourself on the guitar. From the melodic sweetness of major chords to the bittersweet melancholy of minor chords, exploring these fundamental chord types will open up a world of possibilities and take your playing to new heights. So, grab your guitar, tune up those strings, and let’s explore the basic chord types every guitarist should know.

Major Chords

Definition and Structure

Major chords are one of the foundational chord types every guitarist should know. They are bright, uplifting, and provide a sense of stability and resolution in music. A major chord consists of three notes – the root, the major third, and the perfect fifth. The root note determines the name of the chord, while the major third and perfect fifth give it its distinct sound.

Common Major Chords

There are several commonly used major chords that every guitarist should be familiar with. These include the C major chord, the G major chord, the D major chord, the A major chord, and the E major chord. By mastering these chords, you will be able to play a wide range of songs and melodies on your guitar.

How to Play Major Chords

To play a major chord on the guitar, you need to place your fingers in specific positions on the fretboard. Let’s take the C major chord as an example. Start by placing your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Then, place your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Finally, press down on the first fret of the second string with your first (index) finger. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll hear the beautiful sound of a C major chord.

Minor Chords

Definition and Structure

Minor chords have a more melancholic and somber sound compared to major chords. They are an essential component of many musical genres, including blues, jazz, and rock. A minor chord consists of three notes as well – the root, the minor third, and the perfect fifth. The minor third is what gives minor chords their distinct sound.

Common Minor Chords

Just like major chords, there are several commonly used minor chords that are worth mastering as a guitarist. These include the Am (A minor) chord, Em (E minor) chord, Dm (D minor) chord, Gm (G minor) chord, and Cm (C minor) chord. With these basic minor chords under your belt, you’ll be able to play a wide variety of songs and express a range of emotions on your guitar.

How to Play Minor Chords

To play a minor chord on the guitar, you’ll need to position your fingers in the correct places on the fretboard. Let’s take the Am (A minor) chord as an example. Begin by placing your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Then, press down on the second fret of the third string with your third finger. Lastly, use your first finger to hold down the first fret of the second string. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll hear the beautiful melancholic sound of the A minor chord.

Dominant 7th Chords

Definition and Structure

Dominant 7th chords add a unique flavor and tension to music. They have a bluesy and jazzy sound and are often used to add a sense of resolution to a piece. A dominant 7th chord consists of four notes – the root, the major third, the perfect fifth, and the minor seventh.

Common Dominant 7th Chords

Some of the commonly used dominant 7th chords include the G7 (G dominant 7th) chord, the C7 (C dominant 7th) chord, the D7 (D dominant 7th) chord, the E7 (E dominant 7th) chord, and the A7 (A dominant 7th) chord. By incorporating these chords into your playing, you can add a bluesy and soulful touch to your music.

How to Play Dominant 7th Chords

To play a dominant 7th chord, you’ll need to position your fingers correctly on the fretboard. Let’s take the G7 (G dominant 7th) chord as an example. Start by placing your second finger on the third fret of the sixth string. Then, use your first finger to hold down the second fret of the fifth string. Next, place your third finger on the third fret of the second string. Finally, place your fourth finger on the third fret of the first string.

To spice up your dominant 7th chord playing, try muting the fifth string by lightly touching it with the palm of your strumming hand. Strum all of the strings starting from the 6th string, and you’ll get that signature bluesy sound of a G7 chord.

Major 7th Chords

Definition and Structure

Major 7th chords have a sophisticated and mellow sound. They are often found in jazz and pop music, adding a touch of elegance to compositions. A major 7th chord consists of four notes – the root, the major third, the perfect fifth, and the major seventh.

Common Major 7th Chords

Some common major 7th chords that every guitarist should know are the Cmaj7 (C major 7th) chord, the Gmaj7 (G major 7th) chord, the Dmaj7 (D major 7th) chord, the Amaj7 (A major 7th) chord, and the Emaj7 (E major 7th) chord. By incorporating these chords into your playing, you can add a touch of sophistication and beauty to your music.

How to Play Major 7th Chords

To play a major 7th chord, you’ll need to position your fingers correctly on the fretboard. Let’s take the Cmaj7 (C major 7th) chord as an example. Begin by placing your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Then, use your second finger to hold down the second fret of the fourth string. Next, place your fourth finger on the third fret of the third string. Finally, use your first finger to press down on the first fret of the second string. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll hear the beautiful and mellow sound of a Cmaj7 chord.

Minor 7th Chords

Definition and Structure

Minor 7th chords have a soulful and introspective sound. They can evoke a sense of melancholy and are frequently used in jazz, blues, and ballads. A minor 7th chord consists of four notes – the root, the minor third, the perfect fifth, and the minor seventh.

Common Minor 7th Chords

Common minor 7th chords that every guitarist should know include the Am7 (A minor 7th) chord, the Em7 (E minor 7th) chord, the Dm7 (D minor 7th) chord, the Gm7 (G minor 7th) chord, and the Cm7 (C minor 7th) chord. By mastering these chords, you can infuse your music with emotion and create beautiful melodies.

How to Play Minor 7th Chords

To play a minor 7th chord, position your fingers correctly on the fretboard. Let’s take the Am7 (A minor 7th) chord as an example. Start by placing your first (index) finger on the first fret of the second string. Then, press down on the second fret of the fourth string with your second (middle) finger. Next, use your third (ring) finger to hold down the second fret of the third string. Finally, use your fourth (pinkie) finger to press down on the third fret of the first string. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll hear the soulful sound of an Am7 chord.

Sus2 and Sus4 Chords

Definition and Structure

Sus2 and sus4 chords add a touch of tension and anticipation to music. They are often used to create a sense of movement and transition. A sus2 chord consists of three notes – the root, the major second, and the perfect fifth. A sus4 chord consists of three notes as well – the root, the perfect fourth, and the perfect fifth.

Common Sus2 and Sus4 Chords

Some of the common sus2 chords include the Asus2 (A suspended 2nd) chord, the Dsus2 (D suspended 2nd) chord, the Esus2 (E suspended 2nd) chord, the Gsus2 (G suspended 2nd) chord, and the Csus2 (C suspended 2nd) chord. Common sus4 chords include the Asus4 (A suspended 4th) chord, the Dsus4 (D suspended 4th) chord, the Esus4 (E suspended 4th) chord, the Gsus4 (G suspended 4th) chord, and the Csus4 (C suspended 4th) chord. By incorporating these chords into your playing, you can add a sense of movement and interest to your compositions.

How to Play Sus2 and Sus4 Chords

To play a sus2 or sus4 chord, you’ll need to position your fingers correctly on the fretboard. Let’s take the Asus2 (A suspended 2nd) chord as an example. Begin by placing your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the third string. Then, use your third (ring) finger to hold down the second fret of the second string. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll hear the tension-filled sound of an Asus2 chord.

To play an Asus4 (A suspended 4th) chord, simply move your second finger to the second fret of the fourth string while keeping your third finger on the second fret of the third string. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ll get the intriguing sound of an Asus4 chord.

Power Chords

Definition and Structure

Power chords are widely used in rock, punk, and metal music. They have a heavy and aggressive sound, making them perfect for creating intensity and driving rhythms. A power chord consists of two notes – the root and the perfect fifth. The absence of the third creates an ambiguous tonality, giving power chords their distinct sound.

Common Power Chords

The most common power chords include the E5 power chord, the A5 power chord, the D5 power chord, the G5 power chord, and the C5 power chord. These are often played with distortion to create a heavy and aggressive guitar sound.

How to Play Power Chords

To play a power chord, you’ll need to use a specific finger position on the fretboard. Let’s take the E5 power chord as an example. Start by placing your first (index) finger on the second fret of the fifth string. Then, use your third (ring) or fourth (pinkie) finger to hold down the second fret of the fourth string. Strum only the fifth and fourth strings, and you’ll hear the powerful and heavy sound of an E5 power chord.

Barre Chords

Definition and Structure

Barre chords are essential for guitarists who want to unlock the full potential of the instrument. They allow you to play chords all across the fretboard and give you the ability to play in different keys. Barre chords involve using your index finger to hold down multiple strings across a single fret while using your other fingers to form the required chord shape.

Common Barre Chords

Some common barre chords include the F major barre chord, the B minor barre chord, the C# major barre chord, the F# minor barre chord, and the G major barre chord. These chords form the basis of many songs in various genres and learning them will greatly expand your playing abilities.

How to Play Barre Chords

To play a barre chord, you’ll need to use your index finger to hold down multiple strings across a single fret. Let’s take the F major barre chord as an example. Start by using your index finger to press down all of the strings at the first fret. Then, use your other fingers to form the major chord shape. In this case, place your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the third string, your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the fifth string, and your fourth (pinkie) finger on the third fret of the fourth string. Strum all of the strings, and you’ll hear the majestic sound of an F major barre chord.

Open Chords

Definition and Structure

Open chords are some of the first chords most beginners learn on the guitar. They are played in the first few frets and involve using open strings. Open chords are typically easier to play than barre chords and are commonly used in folk, country, and pop music.

Common Open Chords

Common open chords include the C major chord, the G major chord, the D major chord, the A major chord, and the E major chord. These chords are fundamental in guitar playing and are the building blocks of countless songs.

How to Play Open Chords

To play an open chord, you’ll need to position your fingers on the fretboard according to the chord shape. For example, let’s take the C major chord as an example. Begin by placing your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Then, use your third (ring) finger to hold down the third fret of the fifth string. Finally, press down on the first fret of the second string with your first (index) finger. Strum only the strings from the fifth string down, and you’ll hear the bright and cheerful sound of a C major open chord.

Slash Chords

Definition and Structure

Slash chords, also known as inverted chords, are chords where a note other than the root is the lowest pitched note. The slash symbol (/) is used to indicate which note is the bass or lowest note of the chord. Slash chords add movement and unique voicings to music.

Common Slash Chords

Some common slash chords include C/E (C major with E as the bass note), G/B (G major with B as the bass note), D/F# (D major with F# as the bass note), A/C# (A major with C# as the bass note), and E/G# (E major with G# as the bass note). These chords can add interesting textures and harmonies to your playing.

How to Play Slash Chords

To play a slash chord, you’ll need to play the indicated bass note by using your thumb or another finger to press down on the appropriate string. Let’s take the C/E chord as an example. Begin by placing your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the fifth string, which will give you the C major chord. Then, use your thumb or another finger to press down on the fourth string at the second fret, creating the E bass note. Strum the chord, and you’ll hear the unique sound of a C/E slash chord.