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.