Chords
Reading chord diagrams
A chord diagram is a mini-map of the first few frets of your guitar. Once you can read it, you can pick any chord in the world from a diagram — without anyone having to show you how.
01 — Anatomy
What do you see in the diagram?
Imagine holding your guitar in front of you with the neck pointing up. That's exactly what the diagram shows — just like looking down at your own guitar while playing.
- Vertical lines = strings — left to right: low E, A, D, G, B, high e (thick to thin).
- Horizontal lines = frets — the bars on your guitar neck. Top is closer to the headstock.
- Dots = your fingers — where you press the string. Sometimes a finger number is shown inside.
- ○ above a string = open string — don't press it, just play it.
- × above a string = mute — you don't play this string (or dampen it with your finger).
02 — Fingers
Which finger does what?
The numbers in the dots tell you which finger to use. It's not a rule — if a different fingering feels better for you, use it. But the shown fingering is usually the most practical, especially for switching between chords.
Index finger
Middle finger
Ring finger
Pinky
Your thumb usually goes behind the neck for support. In some styles (like blues or folk), the thumb is used to press the low E — that's an advanced technique.
03 — The nut
The thick bar at the top
The thick line at the very top is called the nut — the separation between your guitar's headstock and neck. If the nut appears in the diagram, it means your fingers are in the first few frets: close to the headstock.
Open strings (○) sound the way they do because they rest against that nut — the string isn't pressed anywhere.
04 — Further up
Chords higher up the neck
Some chords don't sit in the first four frets. In that case, the thick nut bar disappears and you'll see a small number on the left of the diagram. That's the fret where the diagram starts.
In the Gm example above, there's a 3 — meaning: the pattern sits on frets 3 through 7. Not at the headstock.
05 — Barre
The bar across multiple strings
See a thick bar spanning multiple strings? That's a barre. Your index finger lies flat across that whole fret and presses all the strings at once.
Barre is the first real obstacle for many beginners. Tip: tilt your index finger slightly toward the headstock — the hard edge presses better than the flat underside. And practice just 30 seconds at a time; more only brings pain without gain.
06 — Examples
A few chords examined closely
Below are six diagrams you'll see in songs on this site. Try to read what each diagram shows before you read the description.
Classic open G — three fingers, no mutes. Widely used in folk and pop.
Am — three fingers on the second fret. Low E muted with the side of your middle finger.
Slash chord: D with F# as the lowest note. Press the low E on fret 2 with your thumb or index finger.
Cmaj7 — plain C without your index finger. Sounds 'jazzy' and is easier than a regular C.
Variation on D — extra finger on the high e string gives an unresolved, hanging quality.
Barre chord on fret 2. Not easy, but essential in keys like E and A.
07 — Practical
Tips from the pros
Press right behind the fret
Don't press your fingertip on the fret itself or far behind it, but just in front. That gives the clearest tone with the least effort.
Fingers straight
Keep your fingers as straight as possible — press with the tip, not flat. Otherwise you'll accidentally hit the neighbouring strings.
Short practice rounds
With barre chords: 30 seconds practice, 30 seconds rest. Otherwise fatigue builds up and you'll slip into bad habits.
Pain gone after 1–2 weeks
Your fingertips harden a bit and the pain subsides. Still hurting badly after a month? Your fingers are probably positioned wrong. Ask your question — we'll take a look.
Oefen het met een les
Les · met Levi
Levi takes you from diagram to the F chord
You can read a diagram now — put it to work on the classic hurdle. In the F chord starter, Levi builds the chord step by step, from a simplified grip to the full barré.
F-akkoord starter (vereenvoudigd → barré) zit in de abonnementen Gitaarles en Alles-in-één. Probeer een maand voor € 1.
08 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
What do × and ○ above a string mean?
A × above a string means: don't strike that string (or mute it). A ○ means: do play that string, but open — so without a finger on it. Only the strings with a number or a ○ sound in the chord.Which finger goes with which number?
1 is your index finger, 2 your middle finger, 3 your ring finger, and 4 your pinky. A T sometimes stands for your thumb, which occasionally reaches over the neck to fret the low E string.What is a barre chord?
In a barre you lay your index finger flat across several strings at once, like a movable nut. That lets you slide the same shape up and down the neck to play other chords. F and Bm are well-known examples.Why is there sometimes a number next to the diagram?
That number tells you which fret the pattern starts on — the chord then sits higher up the neck, not at the head. The thick nut bar at the top disappears, because you're no longer playing at the open strings.Do I have to follow the finger numbers exactly?
It's a guideline, not a rule. The numbers show the handiest fingering for smooth changes, but pick whatever sounds clean and switches easily for you. Over time you'll find your own preferences.What's the difference between a chord diagram and a tab?
A chord diagram shows one static grip: where your fingers go for that single chord. A tab shows individual notes over time, left to right, so you can play a melody or riff note by note. How to read a tab.
Apply it right away
Pick a chord song and find its diagrams. First play, then strum, then sing along. Play live.