23 Easy Guitar Chords That Every Beginner Should Learn

Learning guitar isn’t easy.

And if we are an avid musical creator keen on writing and performing our own songs, things can get difficult if you’re not a musician, or you don’t have a band.

So where do you start?

Some will begin guitar lessons, buy guitar books, and others may watch YouTube videos to learn the basics.

Not all of us want to learn how to shred to oblivion.

To make your journey to musical success easier, here is a list of 23 beginner-friendly guitar chords that you can learn with ease.

But first, let’s talk about understanding guitar chord diagrams.

Understanding guitar diagrams

If you’ve ever looked at sheet music of a song from your favourite band, you may notice little table-like diagrams throughout the piece. These are chord diagrams, and it’s how guitarists show you what chords they are playing in that particular section.

However, for someone who’s never picked up a guitar, understanding what to do with these diagrams can be confusing.

So let’s go through the different parts of a guitar chord diagram, and what each section means.

Here’s is a guitar chord:

Let’s start from the bottom with the yellow arrow.

Each vertical line is a string on your guitar, from the left is the lowest pitch sounding string, to the right which is the highest pitch sounding string.

Each horizontal line is a fret, the top thick line is your nut. Therefore, the first thin line is fret 1, the next line is fret 2 and so on.

From the top we have the name of the chord, in our example it’s a C major.

To the left in the yellow circle we have a large ‘X’, this means you do not play this string.

To the right in the yellow circle we have a large ‘O’, this means you play this string as an open string. An open string means there are no fingers determining the pitch, instead its the set pitch of the string.

Lastly, the black dots are your finger placement.

Now let’s learn some beginner-friendly guitar chords.

Note: If you’re not all too familiar with music theory, in terms of scales and how chords are created, check out this Beginner’s Guide To Basic Music Theory before you continue.

Easy guitar chords using only two fingers

As soon as you pick up a guitar for the first time, looking at 6 strings and over 20 frets can be daunting.

How on earth can I make music with this? It look so complicated…

Well to start you off, here are 8 chords that only require you to use 2 fingers.

A minor 7

The A minor 7 chord, written as Am7 has the notes: A C E G. Here’s the chord diagram:

If you write your own music, you can place this chord in several scales, such as: A minor and E minor, as well as their relative major scales.

A suspended 2

The A suspended 2 chord, written as Asus2 has the notes: A B E. Here’s the chord diagram:

This chord removes the major or minor 3rd quality, by replacing it with the 2nd note.

Therefore, this chord can be used in the A major and A minor scale, as well as their relative minor scales.

C major 7

The C major 7 chord, written as Cmaj7 has the notes: C E G B. Here’s the chord diagram:

It has an open, bright and happy feel; perfect if you’re creating something uplifting and positive.

You can use this chord in scales such as: C major and G major, as well as their relative minor scales.

D minor 6

The D minor 6 chord, written as Dm6 has the notes: D F A B. Here’s the chord diagram:

Minor 6 chords are quite unique as the 6th note, is from the parallel major scale. Therefore, Dm6 doesn’t fit into the D minor scale. Minor 6 chords fit into the melodic minor scale, which raises the 6th and 7th notes to match the parallel major scale.

However, you can use Dm6 in scales C major and it relative minor, A minor.

D major 6

The D major 6 chord, written as D6 has the notes: D F# A B. Here the chord diagram:

Moving on from Dm6, just by moving your finger down a fret you get a completely new chord.

Why not try it in scales such as: D major and A major, as well as their relative minor scales.

D suspended 2

The D suspended 2 chord, written as Dsus2 has the notes: D E A. Here the chord diagram:

Another suspended chord means the 3rd major or minor note has been replaced by the 2nd. Yet another easy chord, similar to Dm6 and D6.

You can use it in scales such as: C major, G major, D major, A major and F major, as well as their relative minor scales.

E minor 7

The E minor 7 chord, written as Em7 has the notes: E G B D. Here the chord diagram:

With 4 open strings, and only two fingers, Em7 is probably one of the most easiest chords to learn to play.

You can play the chord over many scales such as: C major, G major and D major, as well as their relative minor scales.

E minor

The E minor chord, written as Em has the notes: E G B. Here the chord diagram:

Most likely one of the first chords every beginner will learn, and grasp with ease. It’s the same finger position as Asus2, but on different strings.

Scales you can apply this chord to are: E minor, A minor and B minor, as well as their relative major scales.

Easy guitar chords using only three fingers

A major

The A major chord, written as A has the notes: A C# E. Here the chord diagram:

Even though this chord involves 3 fingers, the positioning is very simple.

A major is a popular chord to use in your music, and can be used in scales such as: A major, G major and F major, as well as their relative minors.

A minor

The A minor chord, written as Am has the notes: A C E. Here the chord diagram:

Move one finger up a fret, you change the A major chord into the A minor chord. Another popular chord used in sad and melancholy style music.

Try A minor with scales such as: A minor, E minor and D minor, as well as their relative majors.

A suspended 4

The A suspended 4 chord, written as Asus4 has the notes: A D E. Here the chord diagram: