Guitar Chord

Definition: A combination of usually three or more musical tones (strings) sounded simultaneously.

Chord Shape
Cord shapes are referred to by the "shape" of the hand. All instances of guitar chords on this site will use
basic fingering notation.
Index Finger - #1
Middle Finger - #2
Ring Finger - #3
Little Finger "Pinky" - #4

Fret Numbering
Frets are numbered starting with fret #1. Therefore, a G Major chord is displayed as:
3,2,0,0,0,3

Tablature Notation
The same G Major chord is displayed as:
E String

--------3---------

A String

--------2---------

D String

--------0---------

G String

--------0---------

B String

--------0---------

E String

--------3---------

ASCII Diagram
This would be an ascii (text picture) or the G Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned above.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
(Every string is played in the G Major Chord below).
O ---------|---------|----1----|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|--------Lets do a D Major chord, so we can see the "X" and "O" thing at work...
X---------|---------|---------|--------X---------|---------|---------|--------O---------|---------|---------|--------O----1----|---------|---------|--------O---------|----3----|---------|--------O----2----|---------|---------|--------Notice how above, on the D Major we didn't play the 2 strings. We only used 4 strings in this chord.

And now, the tablature notation of the D Major chord... The tablature number refers to the fret numbers, not
the finger numbers. Also, notice the "0" on the "D" string, this simply means the string is played with no
fretting.
E String

------------------

A String

------------------

D String

--------0---------

G String

--------2---------

B String

--------3---------

E String

--------2---------

Now, to simplify the D Major chord, we could display it as:

X,X,0,2,3,2
So, that about summerizes the demonstration of guitar chord notation for this site. Now, lets go Find Guitar
Chords at the links to the right and start learning to play guitar!

This page will be devoted to the A Major chord.

*There are several variations of the A Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The A Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the A Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the A Major is:
0,0,2,2,2,0

Tablature Notation for the A Major is

E String

--------0---------

A String

--------0---------

D String

--------2---------

G String

--------2---------

B String

--------2---------

E String

--------0---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the A Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----3----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the A Major chord I'll demonsrate. It is also quite simple to play, provided you can
"bar" across the 2nd fret with your index finger without touching the 2 upper strings and you can get that
pinxy (or the ring finger) on the E at the 5th fret. If you have big hands, this will be much easier than the A
Major above. Also, if you have a classical guitar, you'll find the strings are farter apart from each other, than,
I'd go with the above version of this chord. Whatever works best for you.
Simple Notation for the A Major is:
0,0,2,2,2,5
Tablature Notation for the A Major is
E String

--------0---------

A String

--------0---------

D String

--------2---------

G String

--------2---------

B String

--------2---------

E String

--------5---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the A Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----5----|---------

This page will be devoted to the B Major chord.

*There are several variations of the B Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The B Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the B Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize. In this version of the B Major we will use a "hand shape" that
will be duplicated in other guitar chords.
Simple Notation for the B Major is:
X,2,4,4,4,2
Tablature Notation for the B Major is

E String

------------------

A String

--------2---------

D String

--------4---------

G String

--------4---------

B String

--------4---------

E String

--------2---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the B Major chord. (Not all strings played on this chord). Remember
the finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|----3----|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|----3----|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|----3----|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the B Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above B Major chord is quite common as is
the following B Major chord. I'd suggest using either of these chords and try both, and select whichever you
are more comfortable with.
Simple Notation for the B Major is:
1,3,3,2,1,1

Tablature Notation for the B Major is

E String

--------1---------

A String

--------3---------

D String

--------3---------

G String

--------2---------

B String

--------1---------

E String

--------1---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the B Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----4----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

This page will be devoted to the C Major chord.

*There are several variations of the C Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The C Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the C Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the C Major is:
X,3,2,0,1,0
Tablature Notation for the C Major is
E String

------------------

A String

--------3---------

D String

--------2---------

G String

--------0---------

B String

--------1---------

E String

--------0---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the C Major chord. (Not all strings played on this chord). Remember
the finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|--------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the C Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above C Major chord is quite common as is
the following C Major chord. The 2nd version is a bar style and might work well for you as well and is listed
below.
Simple Notation for the C Major is:

3,3,5,5,5,3
Tablature Notation for the C Major is
E String

--------3---------

A String

--------3---------

D String

--------5---------

G String

--------5---------

B String

--------5---------

E String

--------3---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the C Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----2----|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----2----|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----2----|--------O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------

This page will be devoted to the D Major chord.

*There are several variations of the D Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The D Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the D Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and
is considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the D Major is:
X,X,0,2,3,2
Tablature Notation for the D Major is
E String

------------------

A String

------------------

D String

--------0---------

G String

--------2--------

B String

--------3---------

E String

--------2--------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the D Major chord. (Not all strings played on this chord). Remember
the finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------X ---------|--------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the D Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above D Major chord is quite common as
is the following D Major chord. The 2nd version is the same as the above except that 5 strings are used. You
will commonly see either chord style one or two played.
Simple Notation for the D Major is:
X,0,0,2,3,2
Tablature Notation for the D Major is
E String

-------------------

A String

---------0---------

D String

---------0---------

G String

---------2---------

B String

---------3---------

E String

---------2---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the D Major chord. (Not all strings played on this chord). Remember
the finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.

NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----3----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----2----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

This page will be devoted to the E Major chord.

*There are several variations of the E Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The E Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the E Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the E Major is:
0,2,2,1,0,0
Tablature Notation for the E Major is
E String

--------0---------

A String

--------2---------

D String

--------2---------

G String

--------1---------

B String

--------0---------

E String

--------0---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the E Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.

O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----3----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the E Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above E Major chord is quite common. The
2nd version is across three frets, but is easy if you have larger hands.
Simple Notation for the E Major is:
1,1,3,3,3,1
Tablature Notation for the E Major is
E String

--------1----------

A String

--------1----------

D String

--------3----------

G String

--------3----------

B String

--------3----------

E String

--------1----------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the E Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.

NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

This page will be devoted to the F Major chord.

*There are several variations of the F Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The F Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the F Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the F Major is:
X,X,3,2,1,1
Tablature Notation for the F Major is
E String

------------------

A String

------------------

D String

--------3---------

G String

--------2---------

B String

--------1---------

E String

--------1---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the F Major chord. (Not all strings played on this chord). Remember
the finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------X ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the F Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above F Major chord is quite common. The
2nd version might be easier to learn. Try both to see which you are more comfortable with.
Simple Notation for the F Major is:
1,3,3,2,1,1
Tablature Notation for the F Major is
E String

--------1----------

A String

--------3----------

D String

--------3----------

G String

--------2----------

B String

--------1----------

E String

--------1----------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the F Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.

NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----4----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----2----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ----1----|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------

This page will be devoted to the G Major chord.

*There are several variations of the G Major chord, and some are outlined below. The most common
variation is listed first.

The G Major

Chord Style 1
This is the 1st version we'll present of the G Major chord, it is the most used for general guitar playing and is
considered the easiest to learn and memorize.
Simple Notation for the G Major is:
3,2,0,0,0,3
Tablature Notation for the G Major is
E String

--------3---------

A String

--------2---------

D String

--------0---------

G String

--------0---------

B String

--------0---------

E String

--------1---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the G Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ---------|---------|----2----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----3----|---------|---------|---------

Chord Style 2
This is the 2nd version of the G Major chord I'll demonsrate. The above G Major chord is quite common. The
2nd version is of the "bar" style and might work well too.
Simple Notation for the G Major is:
3,5,5,4,3,3
Tablature Notation for the G Major is
E String

---------3---------

A String

---------5---------

D String

---------5---------

G String

---------4---------

B String

---------3---------

E String

---------3---------

This would be an ascii (text picture) or the G Major chord. (All strings played on this chord). Remember the
finger numbers mentioned on the Home page.
NOTE - An "X" indicates the string is not played, an "O" indicates that it is.
O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----4----|--------O ---------|---------|---------|---------|----5----|--------O ---------|---------|---------|----2----|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|--------O ---------|---------|----1----|---------|---------|---------