What you grab

Chords

Learn the move, not forty separate posters. Open shapes first. Barre is one idea that travels.

Open majors — learn these first

G                 C                 D
e ---3---         e ---0---         e ---2---
B ---0---         B ---1---         B ---3---
G ---0---         G ---0---         G ---2---
D ---0---         D ---2---         D ---0---
A ---2---         A ---3---         A ---x---
E ---3---         E ---x---         E ---x---
    2     3           3  2  1           1  3  2

E                 A                 F  (mini / easy)
e ---0---         e ---0---         e ---1---
B ---0---         B ---2---         B ---1---
G ---1---         G ---2---         G ---2---
D ---2---         D ---2---         D ---3---
A ---2---         A ---0---         A ---x---
E ---0---         E ---x---         E ---x---
        1             1  2  3           1  1  2  3

F full barre comes after the index finger can clamp all six strings. Don’t start there.

Open minors

Am                Em                Dm
e ---0---         e ---0---         e ---1---
B ---1---         B ---0---         B ---3---
G ---2---         G ---0---         G ---2---
D ---2---         D ---2---         D ---0---
A ---0---         A ---2---         A ---x---
E ---x---         E ---0---         E ---x---
      2  3  1           2  3              2  3  1

Workhorse sevenths

G7                C7                E7
e ---1---         e ---0---         e ---0---
B ---0---         B ---1---         B ---3---
G ---0---         G ---3---         G ---1---
D ---0---         D ---2---         D ---0---
A ---2---         A ---3---         A ---2---
E ---3---         E ---x---         E ---0---

A7                D7
e ---0---         e ---2---
B ---2---         B ---1---
G ---0---         G ---2---
D ---2---         D ---0---
A ---0---         A ---x---
E ---x---         E ---x---

Power chords

Root on string 6. Same shape slides. That is half of rhythm guitar.

E5 (3rd fret = G5)
e ---x---
B ---x---
G ---x---
D ---5---     (5th)
A ---5---     (root+octave)
E ---3---     (root)
      1  3  3

Barre logic — one idea, many chords

E-shape barre: index finger = capo. Move open E → fret 1 = F. Fret 3 = G. Fret 5 = A.

A-shape barre: open A moved up. Fret 2 = B. Fret 3 = C. Fret 5 = D.

Color tones

sus2 / sus4 replace the 3rd. add9 hangs a 9 on a triad. min7 and maj7 are the next “adult” campfire chords after the workhorse sevenths. Learn them after the open set is automatic.