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The chord desk / eight open shapes

A small chord library.
A clear way to read it.

These charts list strings 6 to 1 from left to right, low E to high E. A circle means open; × means leave that string out; a dot shows a fretted note. Numbers inside dots are suggested fingers.

Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger. These are one set of usable fingerings, not the only valid choices. Read the diagram guide →

8 chord shapes

Em

E minor
E minor; strings 6 to 1: 0, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: 0, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: open
  • 5 / A: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 4 / D: fret 2, suggested finger 3
  • 3 / G: open
  • 2 / B: open
  • 1 / high E: open

All six strings can sound. Check that your fretting fingers do not touch the open G string.

Am

A minor
A minor; strings 6 to 1: ×, 0, 2, 2, 1, 0; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: ×, 0, 2, 2, 1, 0

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: leave out
  • 5 / A: open
  • 4 / D: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 3 / G: fret 2, suggested finger 3
  • 2 / B: fret 1, suggested finger 1
  • 1 / high E: open

Start your strum at string 5, the open A. Keep string 6 out of the strum.

E

E major
E major; strings 6 to 1: 0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 0; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: 0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 0

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: open
  • 5 / A: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 4 / D: fret 2, suggested finger 3
  • 3 / G: fret 1, suggested finger 1
  • 2 / B: open
  • 1 / high E: open

This adds a first-fret G-string note to the Em shape. Check each string individually.

A

A major
A major; strings 6 to 1: ×, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: ×, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: leave out
  • 5 / A: open
  • 4 / D: fret 2, suggested finger 1
  • 3 / G: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 2 / B: fret 2, suggested finger 3
  • 1 / high E: open

Three fingers share fret 2. Try small position adjustments rather than adding pressure.

D

D major
D major; strings 6 to 1: ×, ×, 0, 2, 3, 2; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: ×, ×, 0, 2, 3, 2

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: leave out
  • 5 / A: leave out
  • 4 / D: open
  • 3 / G: fret 2, suggested finger 1
  • 2 / B: fret 3, suggested finger 3
  • 1 / high E: fret 2, suggested finger 2

Start at string 4, the open D. Strings 6 and 5 are left out in this shape.

Dm

D minor
D minor; strings 6 to 1: ×, ×, 0, 2, 3, 1; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: ×, ×, 0, 2, 3, 1

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: leave out
  • 5 / A: leave out
  • 4 / D: open
  • 3 / G: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 2 / B: fret 3, suggested finger 3
  • 1 / high E: fret 1, suggested finger 1

The first-fret note is on string 1. Keep the two lowest strings out of the strum.

C

C major
C major; strings 6 to 1: ×, 3, 2, 0, 1, 0; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: ×, 3, 2, 0, 1, 0

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: leave out
  • 5 / A: fret 3, suggested finger 3
  • 4 / D: fret 2, suggested finger 2
  • 3 / G: open
  • 2 / B: fret 1, suggested finger 1
  • 1 / high E: open

Listen for the open G and high E between the fretted notes. Start at string 5.

G

G major
G major; strings 6 to 1: 3, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3; numbers inside dots identify fingers

Frets 6 → 1: 3, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3

Read the shape as text
  • 6 / low E: fret 3, suggested finger 2
  • 5 / A: fret 2, suggested finger 1
  • 4 / D: open
  • 3 / G: open
  • 2 / B: open
  • 1 / high E: fret 3, suggested finger 3

This is one three-finger G shape. Other valid fingerings exist; use one that suits your instruction.

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