Printable Beginner Guitar Chord Chart
These twelve open chords are the ones nearly every beginner song uses. With them you can play thousands of songs. Each diagram shows where each finger goes, which strings to strum, and the note every string plays, so you can check your chord by ear.
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What’s inside
- 12 open chords: Em, Am, E, A, D, G, C, Dm, E7, A7, D7 and G7
- Finger numbers in every dot, root notes in green
- The note each string plays, under each diagram
- A suggested learning order
How to use it
- Download the PDF and print it at 100% scale on US Letter or A4.
- Pick two or three chords to learn this week and leave the rest for later.
- Place your fingers using the numbers in the dots, then strum one string at a time to check each note rings.
- Keep the sheet on your music stand or wall where you practice.
Learn it step by step, free
Fretwork turns sheets like this into short daily lessons with audio, a play-along and a quick check for every skill. Stages 0 and 1 are free.
Questions
Which guitar chords should a beginner learn first?
Start with E minor and A minor (two fingers each), then E, A and D, then G and C. That order goes from easiest to hardest and lets you play simple songs after the first three.
How do I read a chord diagram?
The vertical lines are the strings, with the thickest (low E) on the left. The horizontal lines are frets. A dot shows where to press, and the number inside is the finger to use: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. A circle above the nut means play the string open; an X means don't play it.
Is this printable really free?
Yes. Enter your first name and email once and every Fretwork printable unlocks on your device. There is nothing to pay and no card needed.
Can I share it with students or friends?
Yes, for personal and classroom use. Please share the link to this page rather than the PDF file, so everyone gets the latest version.
Free for classroom use. Linking to this page keeps your students on the latest version.
More chord charts
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24 open-position chords: majors, minors, sevenths, major sevenths and sus chords.
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Major Chords Chart
A major chord in all 12 keys, using the easiest common shape for each.
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Minor Chords Chart
A minor chord in all 12 keys, with open and barre shapes.
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Seventh Chords Chart
Dominant 7th chords in all 12 keys: the sound of blues, rock and roll and country.
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