Open chords are the foundation of guitar playing. These are the chords you learn first—the ones that use open strings and sit in the first few frets of the neck.
What makes them “open”? At least one string rings out without being fretted. This gives open chords their characteristic full, resonant sound that you just can’t get from bar chords.
If you’re just starting out, master these shapes first. If you’ve been playing for years, there’s still more to discover—slash chords, embellishments, and bass line techniques that’ll make your rhythm playing come alive.
The Essential Open Chord Shapes
Every guitarist needs these six chords in their toolkit:
With just these six shapes, you can play hundreds of songs across every genre.
Why Open Chords Sound So Good
Open chords have a fullness that bar chords can’t match. Those ringing open strings create natural sustain and harmonic richness. It’s why acoustic singer-songwriters rely on them so heavily.
They’re also easier to embellish. Adding hammer-ons, pull-offs, and bass runs is much simpler when you’ve got fingers free and open strings to work with.
Beyond the Basics
Once you’ve got the basic shapes down, there’s a whole world of techniques to explore:
- Slash chords – Add bass notes below your chord for richer voicings
- Embellishments – Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and suspended notes that add movement
- Bass lines – Walk between chords using the open strings
Open Chord Lessons
Ready to take your open chord playing further? Check out these lessons:
- Slash Chords in D Major – Add bass notes for fuller voicings
- Using Your Thumb for Bass Notes – Slash chord technique for songs like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
- Open Chords and Bass Lines – Add movement to G, C, and D with alternating bass
- Guitar Chord Embellishments – Add color with Cmaj9, Dmaj9, Em7 and more
For more chord lessons, visit our main Guitar Chords page.