Generally, an open chord is any chord that has an "open" note in it's voicing, although there are some chords in this group that do not. Chords based on F, F, B or B will have no open notes most of the time. By the way, an "open note" is a string played that does not require you to fret it with a finger therefore, there are only six possibilities (on a six string guitar) for open notes, E, A, D, G, B, E given standard tuning.

All open chord voicings are generally considered easy, until you need to play a chord from F, F, B or B group which require you to barre up to six strings together with one finger, this poses a few problems for beginners however, persistance pays off and with regular practice you will find they get easier.

If you wish to transpose a song into a different key, say from C major to C major, you will need to use a Capo, which is like a clamp that bears down onto a fret acting like the nut enabling you to play open chord shapes in different keys, all in all a very handy little item and I highly recommended purchasing one.

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

Related Lessons & Resources

• Guitar Lessons
• • How to read chord diagrams
  • Barre chords
• Music Theory
• • Harmonizing a major scale (triads)