Guitar chords level 1 consist of the 7 friendly keys. They are friendly because no barre chords are involved. With these chords and a capo you can play in any key. The first video explains how to read the diagrams.  The next video explains how to use a capo. You will also find a quiz at the end to see if you are ready to proceed to level 2.

The numbers in the column on the right are the fingers of your left hand.
The letters are the notes of the chords.
The numbers on the dots are intervals. Intervals will be discussed in level 2.
A key is a group of chords that sound good together.

Ex.1 Key of G: G C D7

G
CD7

Ex.2 Key of D: D G A7

D
GA7

Ex.3 Key of A: A D E7

ADE7

Ex.4 Key of E: E A B7

E

AB7

Ex.5 Key of C: C F G7

C  FG7

Ex.6 Key of Am: Am Dm E7

Am
Dm
E7

Ex.7 Key of Em: Em Am B7

Em Am

B7

Ex.8

Are you ready to move on to level 2? Let’s see if you are:

Quiz:

1. What are the 3 chords in the key of G? Do you have them memorized?
2. What are the 3 chords in the key of D? Do you have them memorized?
3. What are the 3 chords in the key of A? Do you have them memorized?
4. What are the 3 chords in the key of E? Do you have them memorized?
5. What are the 3 chords in the key of C? Do you have them memorized?
6. What are the 3 chords in the key of Am? Do you have them memorized?
7. What are the 3 chords in the key of Em? Do you have them memorized?
8. If I play a G “shape” chord but the capo is on the second fret what key am I in?
9. If I play a G “shape” chord but the capo is on the third fret what key am I in?
10. If I play a E “shape” chord but the capo is on the second fret what key am I in?
11. If I play a D “shape” chord but the capo is on the second fret what key am I in?
12. If I play a Am “shape” chord but the capo is on the second fret what key am I in?

How did you do? Are you ready for level 2? Level 2 takes the same chords but we add notes of the scale creating enriched chords such as Cadd9, Csus, C6, CMaj7 and so on.

Proceed to level 2: Guitar Chords Level 2: chord enrichment