28 Chords Every Guitarist Should Know

The title speaks the truth and if you realize that you don't know a certain chord and then start feeling bad, you really shouldn't because you'll know it now.

This lesson is definitely directed towards beginning guitarists, but you never know - there may be something new here. I built this list based upon what chords are the most common or well known, but I have found that this is a really good system for memorizing guitar chords.



Much like learning a new scale or mode, the best way to learn a new chord for guitar, is to not just print it out (and I highly encourage you to print off any of the material on this site), but also to write it down for yourself. Play it a few times and repeat the name of the chord back to yourself. Its no different than memorizing a new mathematical formula. You general have to solve a lot of problems using the same method, before it finally sinks in.

I remember hearing Joe Satriani talking about recording himself playing a ton of chords, one chord at a time, and then recording the name of each chord after he played it. He did this with a small cassette and would play the cassette on his way to work, and would try to guess the chord before the recorded version of his voice would come on and declare the chord. That's a great example of how you can train your ear, but its not necessary, unless you've had your Wheaties for the day.

Anyways, check out the list for yourself.

1. A
2. Am
3. A7
4. Am7
5. B
6. Bm
7. B7
8. Bm7
9. C
10.Cm
11.C7
12.Cm7
13.D
14.Dm
15.D7
16.Dm7
17.E
18.Em
19.E7
20.Em7
21.F
22.Fm
23.F7
24.Fm7
25.G
26.Gm
27.G7
28.Gm7

LEGEND:

1. The frets are denoted by numbers.
2. An X means that you do not play the string nor is it fretted.
3. An O means that the string is played open and not fretted.
4. Red Dots represent where your fingers go.

NOTE:
Take notice of the fact that many times by simply altering one note, you can change a chord's structure from major to minor, or major 7th to minor 7th.


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