Chords, tab and strumming

Frets and open strings

A fret is a metal strip on the neck. An open string is played with no finger on the fretboard. Strings are numbered from the thinnest: the 1st string is the high E, the 6th is the low E.

Tablature

Tab has six lines, one for each string, with the lowest string at the bottom. A number is the fret to press, 0 is an open string. It tells you where to play, but not the rhythm.

Open chords

Chord diagrams show strings and frets. Examples:

• Em: 0-2-2-0-0-0 (notes E B E G B E)
• A: x-0-2-2-2-0
• The three chords of a key: in G major they are G, C and D (I, IV, V).

Strumming

Strumming is sweeping across several strings. Down and up strokes alternate; start with steady downstrokes and count the beats.

Barre and power chords

• A barre chord uses one finger across all strings at a fret. The shape can slide up the neck.
• A power chord has only the root and fifth (and often the octave). It is neither major nor minor. In drop D tuning the low E string is lowered to D, so the shape needs one finger.

Capo

A capo raises all open strings. A G shape with a capo on the 2nd fret sounds as A.

Finding notes

The A string is the 5th string. On the G string the note B is at the 4th fret; on the B string the 3rd fret is D.