20 Guitar Chords You MUST Know How to Play

Mastering a set of fundamental guitar chords is crucial for any aspiring guitarist. These chords form the backbone of countless songs across various genres. In this guide, we'll explore 20 essential guitar chords, starting from the easiest and gradually moving to more complex ones. Each chord includes a diagram, step-by-step instructions, and tips for smooth transitions.

E Major (E)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---0---
        G|---1---
        D|---2---
        A|---2---
        E|---0---
        

A Major (A)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the B string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---2---
        G|---2---
        D|---2---
        A|---0---
        E|-------
        

D Major (D)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the e string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
• Strum from the D string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---2---
        B|---3---
        G|---2---
        D|---0---
        A|-------
        E|-------
        

C Major (C)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---1---
        G|---0---
        D|---2---
        A|---3---
        E|-------
        

G Major (G)

How to Play:

• Place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string.
• Place your index finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
• Place your pinky finger on the third fret of the high e string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---3---
        B|---3---
        G|---0---
        D|---0---
        A|---2---
        E|---3---
        

E Minor (Em)

How to Play:

• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---0---
        G|---0---
        D|---2---
        A|---2---
        E|---0---
        

A Minor (Am)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---1---
        G|---2---
        D|---2---
        A|---0---
        E|-------
        

D Minor (Dm)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the high e string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
• Strum from the D string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---1---
        B|---3---
        G|---2---
        D|---0---
        A|-------
        E|-------
        

F Major (F)

How to Play:

• Use your index finger to press down all the strings on the first fret.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
• Place your pinky finger on the third fret of the D string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---1---
        B|---1---
        G|---2---
        D|---3---
        A|---3---
        E|---1---
        

B Minor (Bm)

How to Play:

• Use your index finger to press down all the strings on the second fret.
• Place your middle finger on the third fret of the B string.
• Place your ring finger on the fourth fret of the D string.
• Place your pinky finger on the fourth fret of the G string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---2---
        B|---3---
        G|---4---
        D|---4---
        A|---2---
        E|-------
        

G7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the high e string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the low E string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---1---
        B|---0---
        G|---0---
        D|---0---
        A|---2---
        E|---3---
        

C7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
• Place your pinky finger on the third fret of the G string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---1---
        G|---3---
        D|---2---
        A|---3---
        E|-------
        

A7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the B string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---2---
        G|---0---
        D|---2---
        A|---0---
        E|-------
        

D7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the high e string.
• Strum from the D string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---2---
        B|---1---
        G|---2---
        D|---0---
        A|-------
        E|-------
        

E7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---0---
        B|---0---
        G|---1---
        D|---0---
        A|---2---
        E|---0---
        

B7

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the D string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Place your pinky finger on the second fret of the high e string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---2---
        B|---0---
        G|---2---
        D|---1---
        A|---2---
        E|-------
        

F#m (F# minor)

How to Play:

• Use your index finger to press down all the strings on the second fret.
• Place your ring finger on the fourth fret of the A string.
• Place your pinky finger on the fourth fret of the D string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---2---
        B|---2---
        G|---2---
        D|---4---
        A|---4---
        E|---2---
        

C#m (C# minor)

How to Play:

• Use your index finger to press down all the strings on the fourth fret.
• Place your middle finger on the fifth fret of the B string.
• Place your ring finger on the sixth fret of the D string.
• Place your pinky finger on the sixth fret of the G string.
• Strum from the A string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---4---
        B|---5---
        G|---6---
        D|---6---
        A|---4---
        E|-------
        

Gm (G minor)

How to Play:

• Use your index finger to press down all the strings on the third fret.
• Place your ring finger on the fifth fret of the A string.
• Place your pinky finger on the fifth fret of the D string.
• Strum all six strings.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---3---
        B|---3---
        G|---3---
        D|---5---
        A|---5---
        E|---3---
        

Dm7 (D minor 7)

How to Play:

• Place your index finger on the first fret of the high e string.
• Place your middle finger on the first fret of the B string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Strum from the D string down.

Chord Diagram:

        e|---1---
        B|---1---
        G|---2---
        D|---0---
        A|-------
        E|-------
        

Mastering these 20 guitar chords will provide you with a solid foundation for playing a wide range of songs. Practice switching between these chords smoothly and accurately, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a proficient guitarist.