A condensed library of guitar chords.
A while back I compiled a list of several basic guitar chords and arranged them in an order that would help in memorization.
You can download either the “.doc”, “.rtf”, or access the “.html” file in your web browser to view the chords.
Guitar Chord Library (Condensed) (Microsoft Word document)
Guitar Chord Library (Condensed) (RTF Rich Text Format)
Guitar Chord Library (Condensed) (HTML format)
UPDATE:
The layout of the chords in the variuos formats above might have some odd spacing with an occasional chord showing up on the next page (in the wrong group of chords). It might vary from computer to computer, I’m not sure. To play it safe, I went ahead and converted the file to a PDF, you can view it with Adobe Reader or similar programs.
If you are printing the chords out, you may want to print this version:
Guitar Chord Library (Condensed) (PDF format)
Another update…
Here’s the most recent revision of the file:
Essential Guitar Chords (July 27, 2008 revision)
The main difference in this and previous versions is page order. There is now a more logical arrangement of the chords within this packet, which will help in speeding up the memorization process.
There’s no longer a need to save or print any version prior to the July 27, 2008 file, so I’ll go ahead and write a new blog entry.
You might want to add finger numbers to the chords. For a complete noob like myself, isn’t immediately clear which fingers should be on which strings.
Comment by ben — June 16, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Good idea, thanks! I’ll get some numbers added (eventually)… there are almost 200 chords there.
…but I’ll put it on the big “to do” list. I actually “compiled” the chords list here, I didn’t create the graphical images. Though I can still work my around to updating them with a graphical editor. I came across a massive list of chords (chord images) on another website and grabbed the most significant ones that would be beneficial as the first chords one could learn on the guitar and I reorganized them in a fashion that would make memorization a little easier. Generally, when someone picks up a “chord book” they are likely overwhelmed with so many chords. The majority of those chords are not practical for learning until later. This compilation helps focus on the more significant first chords that people usually learn.
For the time being, experiment with different fingerings for the chords. One aspect of my learning chords (including those on this page), early on with guitar, consisted of occasionally deliberately playing chords with incorrect fingerings. I twisted my fingers around like four contortionists – actually five, I used my thumb on some chords – all over the fingerboard/fretboard. It was really weird, though made playing the chords correctly much easier. It also woke my fingers up to more flexible (and practical) options pertaining to more advanced guitar. You will discover that some more advanced chords will leave you feeling like a finger contortionist.
Anyway, until I get the finger numbers added for these chords, there is a concept that generally works:
The longer finger will generally be placed on thicker strings while the shorter finger will generally be placed on thinner strings.
Comment by sean — June 16, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
This entry now has the PDF version of the chords, which will make printing much easier.
Comment by Sean — June 28, 2008 @ 11:11 am
There’s a fresh revision (July 27, 2008) available now. I’ve updated the main entry with the information and a link for downloading.
Comment by Sean — July 27, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
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