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♫Cifra Agora

Basic guitar chords: shapes and clean changes

Learn a useful set of open chords, how to make every string ring and how to practice changes without breaking the beat.

You do not need every guitar chord before you can accompany songs. A small set of clean open shapes with steady changes is a stronger foundation.

Start with a useful group

Learn Em, G, C, D and Am first, then add E, A and Dm. These shapes cover many common progressions and create manageable left-hand movements.

Check each string

Build the shape slowly and pluck strings one at a time. If a note is muted, move the fingertip closer to the fret and check wrist angle. Excessive pressure usually creates fatigue rather than better tone.

Practice two-chord changes

Play four beats on each of two chords with a slow metronome. Visualize the next shape before moving and aim to move the fingers as a coordinated group.

Protect the pulse

Slow down enough to keep time instead of stopping at every change. The right hand can maintain a simple pattern while the left hand learns the route.

Turn songs into exercises

Choose chord sheets with mostly familiar shapes. Isolate the one new chord before trying the whole song. Technique and repertoire then grow together.

Put it into practice

Guitar Chord DictionarySearch chords such as C, F#m7, Bbmaj7 or D/F# and view notes, formulas, fretboard shapes and playback.Chord Identifier by NotesSelect the notes you are playing and find the chord names that best match them, including inversions.Harmonic Field GeneratorChoose a key and view its major or minor diatonic chords, scale degrees, seventh chords, playback, and copy tools.Online tunerUse your microphone to identify notes and check instrument tuning.Online metronomePractice with a steady pulse and choose BPM, meter and first-beat accent.