Chord Theory & Categories

Open Chords

Basic open chords commonly used in many songs

Theory:

Open chords use open strings and are typically played in the first few frets.

A

A

Am

Am

C

C

D

D

Dm

Dm

E

E

Em

Em

G

G

Common Progressions

I-IV-V

Example: C-F-G

The most common chord progression in popular music

I-V-vi-IV

Example: C-G-Am-F

Popular progression used in many contemporary songs