First Position Chords

Open Chords, first position

What Are the Open Chords On a Guitar?

Today we are going to learn Chords. How to practice Chords and the basic open chords. You need to practice these until you can play them without thinking about it. First think of the name of the chord, and then wallah you know exactly how to play the chord. Where to put your fingers. 

Chords are a good place to start when learning guitar because they are in all songs. 

The song is built on chords. 

As you will see there are several open chords. The definition of a chord is three or more notes played together. An open chord is played at the top of the guitar neck. Usually At the first three frets and with the use of strings that are “open,” meaning your fingers are not pressing down on them to make the note. 

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What Are Open Strings On a Guitar?

You see there is an inherent pitch in each string. Starting with the low E or thickest string and going down to the thinnest string. The pitch when the strings are plucked one at a time are E A D G B E. This is if the guitar is in tune.

So For example, an E minor chord played in the open position is second finger on the second fret 5th string and third finger on second fret 4th string. The rest of the strings are open and you strum them all. 

Without going into a bunch of theory the Em chord is made up of these notes. First, third and fifth of the minor scale which when played the E string is open then there is a B note held down at the second fret 5th string. Next another E held at the second fret fourth string, and the rest are open strings. Which is the G, third string, B second string, and the high E string. All put together is an open chord.


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What is Open Position on Guitar

The “open position,”is also the first position. Once you learn the open chords you can play thousands of songs with them and the use of a Capo, but that’s another story for later. 

Now back to the open chords. Memorizing there shape is important so you can transition from one chord to the next flawlessly. In this article you will learn some open chords.

When practicing these chords get your fingers in position on the strings. Practice by plucking one string at a time. Make sure all the strings ring out,then strum it. If you hear a buzzing or a string that is not ringing out properly then find out why, and make the adjustment.

Note: two reasons for buzzing are 1. Your not holding down on the string all the way. 2. Your finger is not positioned directly behind the fret. After you’ve made the correction strum again until you get it down. Then go to the next chord. Have Fun!

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A Open Chord 

how to play A Major on guitar

Let’s start with the A open chord (A Major) it is made with three fingers on the second fret. This is how to make an A chord.

  • You place your first finger second fret fourth string.
  • Second finger second fret third string.
  • Put your third finger on the second string second fret.

You start the strum from the A string 5th string. Don’t hit the 6th string when you strum. To See this fingering of the Am take a look at this Video. How to Play A Major Chord on Guitar.


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What is the A7 Chord

Here is how to make an A7 open chord is also made with your fingers starting on the second fret.

  • Place your second finger on the second fret fourth string.
  • Your third finger on the second fret second string.

This open chord is also started at the A string, 5th string when you strum down. Don’t forget you don’t want to strike the 6th string when playing the chord. 

To See this fingering of the A7 take a look at this Video. How to play A7 on guitar.

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How to make the Am Chord

A minor open chord (Am) chord is played with your fingers like this.

  • First finger is on the first fret second string.
  • Next your second finger on the second fret fourth string.
  • Finally put your third finger third string and at the second fret.

When playing this open chord start at the 5th string (open A string) and strum down. Avoid striking the open E string when you strum.

To See this fingering of the Am take a look at this Video. How to Play Am on Guitar.


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How to Play an A minor 7th chord

Ever wonder how to make an A minor 7th chord? Well here is the answer.

  • first off put your first finger on the first fret second string.
  • Secondly place your second finger on the fourth string second fret.

Strum from the open A string, which is the fifth string. Try not to hit the sixth string when strumming this first position chord.

To See this fingering of the Am take a look at this Video. How to Play Am7 Chord on Guitar.

How to Play an Amaj7 Chord

Do you know how to play an Amaj7? This is how to finger the

Amaj7 open chord.

  • Step 1. Place your first finger on the third string at the first fret.
  • Step 2. Put your second finger on the fourth string at the second fret.
  • Step 3. Your third finger should be positioned on the second string at the second fret.

Begin to strum from the 5th string, the A string. Without hitting the 6th string.

B Open Chords

How to make a B Chord Guitar First Position

How to make a B chord (B major) in the first position it is played like this. 

  • Your First finger on the second fret first string.
  • The second finger is at the fourth fret fourth string. 
  • Whith the third finger at the fourth fret third string.
  • Last your fourth finger at the fourth fret second string.

When playing this open chord start the strum at the 4th string. B in the first position is a little tricky. Especially when you are a beginner guitar player, because there is such a big stretch from the first finger to the second finger. Stick with it your fingers will get limber with some simple strengthening exercises you will be able to stretch easily in no time.

What is a B7 Chord on Guitar

B7 open chord can be played like this. 

  1. First finger at the first fret on the fourth string.
  2. Second finger at the second fret on the fifth string.
  3. Third finger at the second fret on the third string.
  4. Fourth finger at the second fret on the first string.

At first it may be difficult to put your fourth finger on the first string so you can still play this open chord without placing your pinkie there. If you don’t use your pinkie don’t let the first string ring out whem you strum. Also Don’t strike the 6th string, strum from the 5th string.

To See this fingering of the B7 take a look at this Video. How to Play  B7 Chord on Guitar.

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How to Make a B flat Guitar Chord

Making  a (Bb) chord on guitar is similar to the B Chord but you move the fingers down to the first and third frets like this.

  1. Your first finger is at the first fret on the first string.
  2. Stretch the second finger to the fourth string third fret.
  3. Below the Second finger at the third fret place the third finger on the third string.
  4. Then the Pinkie below the third finger at the third fret second string.

Striking the string at the fourth string, and avoid striking the sixth and fifth strings. In the Guitar Essentials Blog there is a Video Series on Open Chords.

Open guitar chords
Open B Chord

C Chord Guitar

How to Make Open C Chords

Want to know how do you play a C Chord? Look here!

  1. Use your first finger and place it at the first fret on the second string.
  2.  Putting your second finger on the second fret and fourth string.
  3. Then stretch to place your third finger on the fifth string at the third fret.

There are a lot of songs with the C chord in it, have a look at the song Hallelujah it’s in Guitar Essentials Blog. Learn for Free!

Here is a helpful hint: To prevent the sixth string from Ringing out when playing the C chord you can slightly touch the sixth string with your third finger to mute the sound of the E string.

C7 Guitar Finger Position

Another open C chord is the C7. Basically the same as the C chord with the placement of your fourth finger on the 3rd string. Played like this on the guitar.

  • First off you place your first finger at the first fret, second string.
  • Second, second finger at the second fret fourth string.
  • 3rd, place your third finger at the third fret, fifth string.
  • Last you place your fourth finger at the third fret, on the third string to make the C7 chord.

To See this fingering of the C7 take a look at this Video. How to Play a C7 on Guitar.

Open D Chords

Guitar Chord D Open D Chord

D Major Chord guitar finger position is played like this.

  • Finger one at the second fret on the third string.
  • Second finger is at the second fret first string.
  • Third finger is at the third fret second string.

Strumming begins at the fourth string the open D.

To See this fingering of the D Major take a look at this Video. How to Play D Major Chord on Guitar.

How Do You Play a D7 Chord

D7 guitar finger position looks like this. You can check out the video’s on open chords in the Guitar Essentials Blog.

  1. First Finger at the first fret and the second string.
  2. Second finger is at the second fret third string.
  3. Third finger is at the second fret first string.

The strumming starts on the fourth string. Which is also the D string.

 Dm Chord Guitar 

Fingering a D minor guitar chord is a little tricky, but with some practice it becomes easier. Here is how to finger the Dm chord.

  1. 1st finger at the 1st fret on the 1st string.
  2. 2nd finger at the 2nd fret on the 3rd string.
  3. 3rd finger at the 3rd fret on the 2nd string.

To See this fingering of the D Major take a look at this Video. How to Play D minor on Guitar.

How to make Dm7 Open Chord

Dm7 chord is a pretty simple chord to play here’s how to finger a Dm7 guitar chord. (D minor 7).

  • 1st finger is at the first fret it covers the first and second string.
  • 2nd finger is at the second fret and it is on the third string.
  • Strum from the D string fourth string.

Don’t forget the Dmaj7 Chord Guitar pattern

  • Your first finger is at the second fret and it covers strings 1, 2, and 3.
  • When you strum start at the fourth string.

There is a lesson on strumming in the Guitar Essentials Blog.

E Open Chords

The E Major Chord, how to finger it? Here’s how!

  1. First finger is at the first fret third string.
  2. Second finger is at the second fret fifth string.
  3. Your third finger is at the second fret fourth string.
  4. Strum all the strings.

Lots of songs with the E chord in it like the Iconic tune Pretty Woman. Take a look and learn how to play for free!

To See this fingering of the E take a look at this Video. How to Play E Chord on Guitar.

What is an E7 Chord?

Simple fundamentals of how to make an E7 Guitar chord.

  • First finger at the first fret and on the third string.
  • Second finger on the second fret at the fifth string.
  • All strings can be strum.

Em Chord Guitar Finger Position

  1. The first finger at the second fret on the fifth string.
  2. Third finger at the second fret on the fourth string.
  3. Strum all strings.

How to Finger Emaj7 Open Chord

  • First finger fourth string at the first fret.
  • Your second finger third string at the first fret.
  • Third finger is at the third fret fifth string.
  • Strike all the strings in a downward motion with strumming hand.

Learn about how to buy guitar strings, replace guitar strings, and how to tune a guitar.

How do you play an F chord on guitar?

  1. First finger is at the first fret covering strings 1 and 2.
  2. The second finger is at the second fret on the third string.
  3. Your third finger is at the third fret on the fourth string.
  4. Start strumming from the fourth string down.

How to play Fmaj7 Guitar Chord

Three easy steps!

  1. First Finger is at the first fret second string.
  2. Second finger is at the second fret third string.
  3. Third finger is at the third fret fourth string.

Here is a Helpful Hint: Play with your fingers directly behind the fret. The fret is the metal wire going across the guitar neck. Play on your finger tips.

G major Chord
G major Chord Open Position

How to Play G Guitar Chord

g major chord guitar finger position

  • Second finger at the second fret on the fifth string.
  • Third finger at the third fret on the sixth string.
  • Pinkie at the third fret first string.
  • Strum all of the strings.

Lots of songs are played in G, like Wagon Wheel.

Note: You can place your pinkie at the third fret on the first string under the third finger. This too is a G chord.

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How to make a G7 Chord in the Open Position

  • Your first finger is at the first fret on the first string.
  • Second finger is at the second fret on the fifth string.
  • Third finger is at the third fret on the sixth string.
  • Strum all the strings.

How to read Chords Guitar chord  diagram

When you look at the diagram you are looking exactly at the neck of the guitar as if you were holding the guitar straight up.

  • The vertical lines are strings 
  • horizontal lines are the frets
  • Dots are where you put your fingers. If there are numbers in the dots this tells you which fingers to use.
  • X above a string means don’t play that string
  • O above a string means play that string open

To get the List of Open Chords Chart click the link.

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