Chord Chart

How to Read This Chart

This sheet holds every chord of the course: 34 diagrams, each with its fingering and the session that introduces it, and seven more power chords in the table under “Power chords by root”. It is for looking up. Do not play a chord before its session: the heading of each entry names that session, and a chord of the beginner course is marked “Beginner Session N”.

A diagram is read as the beginner course’s chord chart explains it:

The six strings run from string 6 on the left to string 1 on the right.
X above a string means do not play it. O above a string means play it open.
A number in a dot is the finger that goes there.
A diagram that does not start at the nut has a label at the left of its first row: “5fr” means that the first row is fret 5.

The lines under a diagram are the fingering in words, and the Notes line names the notes.

Every entry is laid out in the same order:

Where the chord has one, a sentence that says how its shape is made: from a chord you already play, or as a new shape.
The diagram.
The lines under the diagram, all of them, with the Notes line.
The tuner check, with the chord’s own strings and letters.
For a chord that leaves out string 6, strings 6 and 5, or strings 6, 5 and 4: the string to rest the pick on. It is string 5, string 4, or string 3 for Bm (three strings).

A chord’s name is always written whole, with the words in its brackets.

For example, the last two lines of the entry of A7 read:

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, G, C#, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

These three lines are true of every chord of this sheet:

If a string is muffled, the finger on the string next to it is leaning on it: arch that finger more.

Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.

If a note buzzes: (1) move the fingertip right up behind the fret wire; (2) stand the finger on its tip; (3) only then add the smallest extra pressure that clears the buzz.

With a capo on, a shape keeps its name and its diagram, but the Notes line and the tuner check no longer say what a tuner shows, so make no tuner check with the capo on.

Each chord is drawn with one fingering only.

Open Chords of the Beginner Course

Eight chords, in the order in which the beginner course taught them. These entries begin with the diagram.

Em — Beginner Session 2

OOOO

EADGBe

Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 2
Strings 6, 3, 2 and 1 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: E, B, E, G, B, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show E, B, E, G, B, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Am — Beginner Session 3

XOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 2 (B), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 3 (G), fret 2
Strings 5 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: A, E, A, C, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, A, C, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

E — Beginner Session 5

OOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 2
Strings 6, 2 and 1 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: E, B, E, G#, B, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show E, B, E, G#, B, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

D — Beginner Session 7

XXO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 2 (middle): string 1 (high e), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 2 (B), fret 3
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: D, A, D, F#

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show D, A, D, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

A — Beginner Session 8

XOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 2 (B), fret 2
Strings 5 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: A, E, A, C#, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, A, C#, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

G — Beginner Session 10

OOO

EADGBe

Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 6 (low E), fret 3
Finger 4 (little finger): string 1 (high e), fret 3
Strings 4, 3 and 2 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: G, B, D, G, B, G

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show G, B, D, G, B, G. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

C — Beginner Session 11

XOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 2 (B), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 3
Strings 3 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: C, E, G, C, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show C, E, G, C, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Dm — Beginner Session 21

XXO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 1 (high e), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 2 (B), fret 3
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: D, A, D, F

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show D, A, D, F. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

Dominant Seventh Chords

Six chords, in session order. Each entry begins with the sentence that says how its shape is made.

A7 — Session 2

A7 is the A chord with finger 2 lifted: fingers 1 and 3 stay where they are, and string 3 now rings open.

XOOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 2 (B), fret 2
Strings 5, 3 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: A, E, G, C#, E

Many chord charts finger A7 with fingers 2 and 3. This course uses fingers 1 and 3 because that is your A chord with one finger lifted.

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, G, C#, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

D7 — Session 2

D7 is a new shape, a small triangle: finger 1 on string 2 at fret 1, where it sits in Am and in C, with fingers 2 and 3 at fret 2 on the strings on either side of it.

XXO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 2 (B), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 1 (high e), fret 2
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: D, A, C, F#

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show D, A, C, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

E7 — Session 2

E7 is the E chord with finger 3 lifted: fingers 1 and 2 stay where they are, and string 4 now rings open.

OOOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Strings 6, 4, 2 and 1 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: E, B, D, G#, B, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show E, B, D, G#, B, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

B7 — Session 4

B7 is a new shape for four fingers. Finger 2 stays where it is in Em, E and E7.

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 4 (D), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 4 (little finger): string 1 (high e), fret 2
String 2 (B) is played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: B, D#, A, B, F#

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show B, D#, A, B, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

G7 — Session 13

G7 is the G chord with finger 4 lifted and finger 1 added on string 1 at fret 1: fingers 2 and 3 stay where they are.

OOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 1 (high e), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 6 (low E), fret 3
Strings 4, 3 and 2 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: G, B, D, G, B, F

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show G, B, D, G, B, F. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

C7 — Session 13

C7 is the C chord with finger 4 added on string 3 at fret 3, the fret of finger 3: fingers 1, 2 and 3 stay where they are.

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 2 (B), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 3
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 3
String 1 (high e) is played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: C, E, Bb, C, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show C, E, A# (Bb), C, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Minor Seventh Chords

Three chords, all of Session 9. Dm7 holds a two-string barre, so the barre limit stands beside it.

Em7 — Session 9

Em7 is the Em chord with finger 3 lifted: finger 2 stays where it is, and string 4 now rings open.

Em7

OOOOO

EADGBe

Finger 2 (middle): string 5 (A), fret 2
Strings 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 are played open
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: E, B, D, G, B, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show E, B, D, G, B, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Am7 — Session 9

Am7 is the Am chord with finger 3 lifted: fingers 1 and 2 stay where they are, and string 3 now rings open.

Am7

XOOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 2 (B), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Strings 5, 3 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: A, E, G, C, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, G, C, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Dm7 — Session 9

Barre work: no more than 5 minutes a day in total. Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.

Dm7 is the simplified F with finger 3 lifted: the two-string barre and finger 2 stay where they are, and string 4 now rings open.

Dm7

XXO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index) barres strings 2 (B) and 1 (high e) at fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 2
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: D, A, C, F

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show D, A, C, F. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

If a string of Dm7 is dead or buzzing, use the rows for string 2, string 1 and string 3 of the table for F (simplified) and A (four strings), under “Barre Shapes”.

Major Seventh Chords

Three chords, all of Session 10.

Cmaj7 — Session 10

Cmaj7 is the C chord with finger 1 lifted: fingers 2 and 3 stay where they are, and string 2 now rings open.

Cmaj7

XOOO

EADGBe

Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 3
Strings 3, 2 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: C, E, G, B, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show C, E, G, B, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Amaj7 — Session 10

Amaj7 is the hand shape of D7 moved one string towards the ceiling: finger 2 on string 4 at fret 2, finger 1 on string 3 at fret 1, finger 3 on string 2 at fret 2.

Amaj7

XOO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 4 (D), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 2 (B), fret 2
Strings 5 and 1 are played open
Do not play string 6
Strum strings 5 to 1 (five strings)
Notes, string 5 to string 1: A, E, G#, C#, E

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, G#, C#, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Dmaj7 — Session 10

Dmaj7 is the hand shape of A moved one string towards the floor: fingers 1, 2 and 3 side by side at fret 2 on strings 3, 2 and 1.

Dmaj7

XXO

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 2 (middle): string 2 (B), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 1 (high e), fret 2
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: D, A, C#, F#

Use three separate fingers for Dmaj7. Do not lay one finger flat across the three strings: that is a barre, and it is not in your barre minutes for the day.

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show D, A, C#, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

Bm

Two shapes, both of Session 15.

Bm (four strings) — Session 15

Bm (four strings) is a new shape: fingers 3 and 4 side by side at fret 4 on strings 4 and 3, finger 2 on string 2 at fret 3, finger 1 on string 1 at fret 2. It has no barre.

Bm (four strings)

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 1 (high e), fret 2
Finger 2 (middle): string 2 (B), fret 3
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 4
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 4
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: F#, B, D, F#
The lowest note is F# (string 4), not the root B

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show F#, B, D, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

Bm (three strings) — Session 15

Bm (three strings) is the first step towards Bm (four strings).

Bm (three strings)

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 1 (high e), fret 2
Finger 2 (middle): string 2 (B), fret 3
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 4
Do not play strings 6, 5 and 4
Strum strings 3 to 1 (three strings)
Notes, string 3 to string 1: B, D, F#

Tuner check: Pluck strings 3 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show B, D, F#. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 3, then strum from there.

Barre Shapes

Four chords of the course hold a barre, and no other chord does: F (simplified) (Beginner Session 17), Dm7 (Session 9: its entry is under “Minor Seventh Chords”), A (four strings) (Session 19) and A (full barre) (Session 28). Both shapes at fret 5 stay at fret 5 for the whole course.

F (simplified) — Beginner Session 17

Press a barre shape by the four steps of “How a Barre Works” (Session 19). The steps are not printed here: they are in Barre Shapes Step By Step, under “How a Barre Works”.

F (simplified)

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index) barres strings 2 (B) and 1 (high e) at fret 1
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 2
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 3
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: F, A, C, F

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show F, A, C, F. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

A (four strings) — Session 19

A (four strings) is the simplified F moved up four frets: finger 1 across strings 2 and 1 at fret 5, finger 2 on string 3 at fret 6, finger 3 on string 4 at fret 7.

A (four strings)

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index) barres strings 2 (B) and 1 (high e) at fret 5
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 6
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 7
Do not play strings 6 and 5
Strum strings 4 to 1 (four strings)
Notes, string 4 to string 1: A, C#, E, A

Tuner check: Pluck strings 4 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, C#, E, A. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

A (four strings) puts the same fingers on the same strings as F (simplified), so this table is for both shapes.

If a string is dead or buzzing:

What you hear	Cause	What to do
String 2 dead	Finger 1 does not reach far enough	Move it a little further across
String 1 dead	It has fallen into a crease of finger 1	Shift the finger slightly up or down and roll onto its edge
String 3 dead or buzzing	That is finger 2, not the barre	Move it closer to the fret wire
String 4 dead or buzzing	That is finger 3, not the barre	Move it closer to the fret wire

If the tuner shows the right letter but the note is dull or buzzing, do not press harder. Move the finger closer to the fret wire and try again.

A (full barre) — Session 28

Full barre work: no more than 2 minutes a day in the week of Session 28 and 3 minutes a day from Session 29, at fret 5 only. It counts inside the 5 minutes of barre work.

A (full barre) is the E chord moved up five frets, with finger 1 across all six strings at fret 5 in place of the nut: fingers 2, 3 and 4 make the shape that fingers 1, 2 and 3 make in E.

A (full barre)

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index) barres all six strings at fret 5
Finger 2 (middle): string 3 (G), fret 6
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 7
Finger 4 (little finger): string 4 (D), fret 7
Strum all six strings
Notes, string 6 to string 1: A, E, A, C#, E, A

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 1 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A, E, A, C#, E, A. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

If a string is dead or buzzing:

What you hear	Cause	What to do
String 6 dead or buzzing	Finger 1 does not reach far enough	Move it a little further across
String 2 or string 1 dead	It has fallen into a crease of finger 1	Shift the finger slightly up or down and roll onto its edge
String 3 dead or buzzing	That is finger 2, not the barre	Move it closer to the fret wire
String 5 or string 4 dead or buzzing	That is finger 3 or finger 4, not the barre	Move it closer to the fret wire

If the tuner shows the right letter but the note is dull or buzzing, do not press harder. Move the finger closer to the fret wire and try again.

In this course the full barre is first a press and release, then one change inside one piece; it is never something you must pass. Neither table asks for more pressure: every row says what to move.

Open Power Chords

Three chords of the beginner course. Each is a two-string shape, so its tuner check names two strings. They are not three-string power-chord work.

E5 — Beginner Session 9

OXXXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 5 (A), fret 2
String 6 (low E) is played open
Do not play strings 4, 3, 2 and 1
Strum strings 6 and 5 only
Notes, string 6 to string 5: E, B

Tuner check: Pluck string 6, then string 5, slowly. The tuner should show E, B. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

A5 — Beginner Session 9

XOXXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 4 (D), fret 2
String 5 (A) is played open
Do not play strings 6, 3, 2 and 1
Strum strings 5 and 4 only
Notes, string 5 to string 4: A, E

Tuner check: Pluck string 5, then string 4, slowly. The tuner should show A, E. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

D5 — Beginner Session 13

XXOXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 3 (G), fret 2
String 4 (D) is played open
Do not play strings 6, 5, 2 and 1
Strum strings 4 and 3 only
Notes, string 4 to string 3: D, A

Tuner check: Pluck string 4, then string 3, slowly. The tuner should show D, A. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 4, then strum from there.

Moveable Power Chords

Three-string power-chord work: no more than 5 minutes a day in total.

The shape never changes: finger 1 on the root, finger 3 two frets higher on the next string, finger 4 on the same fret as finger 3, one string further. The chord takes its name from the note under finger 1.

The four chords of Beginner Session 20, each with its diagram and its lines:

F5 — Beginner Session 20

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 6 (low E), fret 1
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 3
Finger 4 (little finger): string 4 (D), fret 3
Do not play strings 3, 2 and 1
Strum strings 6, 5 and 4 only
Notes, string 6 to string 4: F, C, F

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 4 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show F, C, F. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Bb5 — Beginner Session 20

Bb5

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 5 (A), fret 1
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 3
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 3
Do not play strings 6, 2 and 1
Strum strings 5, 4 and 3 only
Notes, string 5 to string 3: Bb, F, Bb

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 3 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show A# (Bb), F, A# (Bb). A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Ab5 — Beginner Session 20

Ab5

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 6 (low E), fret 4
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 6
Finger 4 (little finger): string 4 (D), fret 6
Do not play strings 3, 2 and 1
Strum strings 6, 5 and 4 only
Notes, string 6 to string 4: Ab, Eb, Ab

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 4 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show G# (Ab), D# (Eb), G# (Ab). A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Db5 — Beginner Session 20

Db5

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 5 (A), fret 4
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 6
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 6
Do not play strings 6, 2 and 1
Strum strings 5, 4 and 3 only
Notes, string 5 to string 3: Db, Ab, Db

C#5 (string 5) and Db5 are the same three frets: C sharp and D flat are two names for one note.

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 3 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show C# (Db), G# (Ab), C# (Db). A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

Session 17 has two diagrams, one for each root string, each drawn with its root at fret 3:

G5 (string 6) — Session 17

G5 (string 6)

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 6 (low E), fret 3
Finger 3 (ring): string 5 (A), fret 5
Finger 4 (little finger): string 4 (D), fret 5
Do not play strings 3, 2 and 1
Strum strings 6, 5 and 4 only
Notes, string 6 to string 4: G, D, G

Tuner check: Pluck strings 6 to 4 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show G, D, G. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

C5 (string 5) — Session 17

C5 (string 5)

XXX

EADGBe

Finger 1 (index): string 5 (A), fret 3
Finger 3 (ring): string 4 (D), fret 5
Finger 4 (little finger): string 3 (G), fret 5
Do not play strings 6, 2 and 1
Strum strings 5, 4 and 3 only
Notes, string 5 to string 3: C, G, C

Tuner check: Pluck strings 5 to 3 one at a time, slowly. The tuner should show C, G, C. A different letter means a finger is on the wrong string or the wrong fret.

Rest the pick on string 5, then strum from there.

For every other root, use the table under “Power chords by root”.

No root is above fret 7, so no finger is above fret 9.

The shape is lifted and placed, never slid along the strings.

With the root on string 5:

String 6 must stay silent: let the tip of finger 1 lean lightly against it.

Power chords by root

A power chord found by its root is written with the string of its root in brackets, as in G5 (string 6). F5, Bb5, Ab5 and Db5 keep the names the beginner course gave them, with no brackets. E5, A5 and D5 with no brackets are the open two-string shapes of the beginner course.

Chord	Root note	Finger 1 (root)	Fingers 3 and 4	Strum strings	Notes	From
F5	F	string 6, fret 1	strings 5 and 4, fret 3	6, 5 and 4	F, C, F	Beginner Session 20
F#5 (string 6)	F#	string 6, fret 2	strings 5 and 4, fret 4	6, 5 and 4	F#, C#, F#	Session 17
G5 (string 6)	G	string 6, fret 3	strings 5 and 4, fret 5	6, 5 and 4	G, D, G	Session 17
Ab5	Ab	string 6, fret 4	strings 5 and 4, fret 6	6, 5 and 4	Ab, Eb, Ab	Beginner Session 20
A5 (string 6)	A	string 6, fret 5	strings 5 and 4, fret 7	6, 5 and 4	A, E, A	Session 17
B5 (string 6)	B	string 6, fret 7	strings 5 and 4, fret 9	6, 5 and 4	B, F#, B	Session 17
Bb5	Bb	string 5, fret 1	strings 4 and 3, fret 3	5, 4 and 3	Bb, F, Bb	Beginner Session 20
B5 (string 5)	B	string 5, fret 2	strings 4 and 3, fret 4	5, 4 and 3	B, F#, B	Session 17
C5 (string 5)	C	string 5, fret 3	strings 4 and 3, fret 5	5, 4 and 3	C, G, C	Session 17
C#5 (string 5)	C#	string 5, fret 4	strings 4 and 3, fret 6	5, 4 and 3	C#, G#, C#	Session 17
Db5	Db	string 5, fret 4	strings 4 and 3, fret 6	5, 4 and 3	Db, Ab, Db	Beginner Session 20
D5 (string 5)	D	string 5, fret 5	strings 4 and 3, fret 7	5, 4 and 3	D, A, D	Session 17
Eb5 (string 5)	E flat (also called D sharp)	string 5, fret 6	strings 4 and 3, fret 8	5, 4 and 3	Eb, Bb, Eb	Not taught: only for a song of your own
E5 (string 5)	E	string 5, fret 7	strings 4 and 3, fret 9	5, 4 and 3	E, B, E	Session 17

C#5 (string 5) and Db5 are the same three frets: C sharp and D flat are two names for one note.

The roots alone:

Note	String	Fret
F	6	1
F#	6	2
G	6	3
Ab	6	4
A	6	5
B	6	7
Bb	5	1
B	5	2
C	5	3
C#	5	4
Db	5	4
D	5	5
E	5	7

E flat (string 5, fret 6) has a row in the table of power chords above and none in this table of roots: the row is there only for checking a song of your own. E flat is not taught and has no card.

For the roots E, A and D you may use the open two-string E5, A5 and D5 of the beginner course in place of the three-string shape. A power chord is never played with a capo.

Three-string power-chord work: no more than 5 minutes a day in total.

The Chords You Have After Each Session

This table is “the course’s chord chart so far” that the screening step of a song of your own asks about (Session 27).

After	Chords you have
The beginner course (Session 1 adds none)	Em, Am, E, D, A, G, C, Dm, F (simplified), E5, A5, D5, F5, Bb5, Ab5, Db5
Session 2	and A7, D7, E7
Session 4	and B7
Session 9	and Em7, Am7, Dm7
Session 10	and Cmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7
Session 13	and G7, C7
Session 15	and Bm (four strings), with Bm (three strings) as its first step
Session 17	and F#5 (string 6), G5 (string 6), A5 (string 6), B5 (string 6), B5 (string 5), C5 (string 5), C#5 (string 5), D5 (string 5), E5 (string 5)
Session 19	and A (four strings), as a press; held in a piece from Session 25
Session 28	and A (full barre), as a press; in a change from Session 31

Screening a chart — Checking a published chart before you start to learn its song. Every chord in it must be one this course has taught so far, or be replaced by the power chord on its root, or be reached with a capo; if not, the song waits. (Session 27)

Every diagram of this sheet, in the order of the sheet, and then the seven power chords that have a row in the table “Power chords by root” and no diagram:

Chord	Introduced	Strum	Holds a barre
Em	Beginner Session 2	all six strings	no
Am	Beginner Session 3	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
E	Beginner Session 5	all six strings	no
D	Beginner Session 7	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	no
A	Beginner Session 8	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
G	Beginner Session 10	all six strings	no
C	Beginner Session 11	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
Dm	Beginner Session 21	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	no
A7	Session 2	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
D7	Session 2	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	no
E7	Session 2	all six strings	no
B7	Session 4	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
G7	Session 13	all six strings	no
C7	Session 13	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
Em7	Session 9	all six strings	no
Am7	Session 9	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
Dm7	Session 9	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	yes
Cmaj7	Session 10	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
Amaj7	Session 10	strings 5 to 1 (five strings)	no
Dmaj7	Session 10	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	no
Bm (four strings)	Session 15	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	no
Bm (three strings)	Session 15	strings 3 to 1 (three strings)	no
F (simplified)	Beginner Session 17	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	yes
A (four strings)	Session 19	strings 4 to 1 (four strings)	yes
A (full barre)	Session 28	all six strings	yes
E5	Beginner Session 9	strings 6 and 5 only	no
A5	Beginner Session 9	strings 5 and 4 only	no
D5	Beginner Session 13	strings 4 and 3 only	no
F5	Beginner Session 20	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
Bb5	Beginner Session 20	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
Ab5	Beginner Session 20	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
Db5	Beginner Session 20	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
G5 (string 6)	Session 17	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
C5 (string 5)	Session 17	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
F#5 (string 6)	Session 17	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
A5 (string 6)	Session 17	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
B5 (string 6)	Session 17	strings 6, 5 and 4 only	no
B5 (string 5)	Session 17	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
C#5 (string 5)	Session 17	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
D5 (string 5)	Session 17	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no
E5 (string 5)	Session 17	strings 5, 4 and 3 only	no