Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

Fingering
Common Chords

• First Open Position and Movable Chords

• First Chords by Every Letter
• Common Chords by Octave Shape
• Three-Note Chords
• First Jazz Chords
• Essential Blues Chords

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 2 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

FIRST OPEN POSITION AND MOVABLE CHORDS

Open Position Chords
A I C I D I E I F I G I G I

Am I Dm I Dm I Em I Em I

A7 I B7 I C7 I D7 I E7 I

Movable Chords
The chords below are movable, each named after its circled note. open E A D G B E
Usually use the circled note on the largest string available for F C F
reference. See Common Chords by Octave Shape. Sharp versions B E A
(F#) of notes are one fret toward the guitar body, flat versions (Bb) III G C F D G
are one fret toward the head of the guitar. B
F I Fm I B II Bm II V A D G C E A
F
VII B E A D B
C F G C
IX B E
D G C F A D
D II Dm I A II Am II

XII E A D G B E
F C F
B E A
XV G C F D G
B
©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.
XVII A D G C E A
F
back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 3

FIRST CHORDS BY EVERY LETTER

A I A7 I A7 I Am I Am7 I Am7 I Ama7 I

B II B7 II B7 I B9 I Bm II Bm7 II Bma7 II

C I C7 I Cm7 I Cm7 I Cma7 I

D I D II D7 I D/F# I Dm I Dm I Dm7 I

E I E7 I E7 I Em I Em7 I Em7 I E7 II

F I F I F I F7 I Fm I Fm7 I Fm7 I

G I G I G7 I G/B I Gm I

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 4 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

COMMON CHORDS
Common Chords BY
By OCTAVE SHAPE
Octave Shape
same type across each row
same octave shape down each column
major E I D I C I A I G I D/F# I G I
135
1 1
2 3 1 2 2 2 3 4 1 2 3 1
3 3 2 3 4 2 3 4
1 5 1 3 5 1 1 5 1 3 1 3 5 1 1 5 1 3 1 3 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 1 1 3 5 1 5 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2
3 4 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3
4 4 4 4 4
1 5 1 3 5 1 1 5 1 3 1 3 5 1 1 5 1 3 1 5 1 3 3 5 1 5 1 3 5 1 5

minor Em I Dm I Cm I Am I Gm I Dm/F I
1 b3 5 1
1 1 2 1 1
3
2 3 2 2 3
4
3 4 4
b3 1 5 1
1 5 1 b3 5 1 1 5 1 b3 b3 5 1 5 1 5 1 b3 5 b3 5 1 5
42 root
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 3 2 2 2
3 4 3 3 4 3
1 5 1 b3 5 1 4 4 4 4
1 5 1 b3 b3 5 1 5 1 5 1 b3 5 b3 5 1 5 b3 5 1 5 1

∆7 1
3 4
2 1 1 1 1 1
2
1 1 1 1
2
1

major 7th 3 3
3 3 3 3 4 3
1357
1 7 3 5 4 4
1 5 7 3 1 3 5 7 3 1 5 7 3 5 5 1 3 7 1 3 5 7

7 1 1
2
1 1 1
2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2
1
2 2
1 1
1
dominant 7th 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 2 2 3
1 3 5 b7
1 5 b7 3 5 1 4 3 4 4
1 5 b7 3 1 3 b7 1 1 5 b7 3 5 5 1 3 b7 1 5 3 b7 3 b7 1 5 3 b7 1 5 5 1 3 b7

m7 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 3
1 1 1 1
2
1
2
1 2 3 3 3 1

minor 7th 3 4 2 3
3 4 3
1 b3 5 b7
1 5 b7b3 5 1 1 b3 b7 1 3 4 1 b7 b3 5 4
1 5 b7 b3 1 5 b7 b3 5 b3 b7 1 5 1 b3 b7 b3

m7b5 2
1 1
3 3 3
1 1
2
1
3
2
4 2
1
2 3 4
1

minor 7th flat 5

3 3 3
1 b3 b5 b7
4 4
b5 1 b3 b5 1 b5 b7 b3 b3b7 1 b5 1 b5 b7 b3 b3 b7 1 b5 1 b7 b3 b5

7 sus.4 1 1 1 1 1
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
3 3
1 1

dominant 7th, 3 4 3 2 3 4 3 2 3
suspended 4th 4
1 5 b7 4 5 1 4 4
1 4 5 b7
1 5 b7 4 1 4 b7 1 1 5 b7 4 5 5 1 4 b7 1 5 4 b7 1

augmented dim. 7
any note any note any note
can be root can be root can be root any note any note any note
can be root can be root can be root
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 2
2 2 2 3
2 3 2 3 4
3 3 4
3 4
4

© 1997 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.
back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 5

THREE-NOTE CHORDS
Introduction to Three-Note Major Chords
Three Three
Note,
three note close-voiced Close-Voiced
Note,
major MajorMajor
Close-Voiced
triads TriadsTriads
C V C XII C VIII C III
C V C XII C VIII C III
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
root position
root position
2
2
3 3 3 3 4
3 3 3 3 4
4 4 1 3 5 1 3 5
4 4 1 3 5 1 3 5
1 3 5 1 3 5
1 3 5 1 3 5

C X C V C XII C VIII
C X C V C XII C VIII
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
first inversion
first inversion
2
2
2
2
3 3 3
3 3 3
3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1
3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1

C II C IX C V C XII
C II C IX C V C XII
1 1 1 1 1 1 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 2
second inversion 2 3
second inversion 2 3
2 3
2 3
3
3

5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3
5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3 5 1 3

three-note open-voiced
Three Note,major triads
Open-Voiced Major Triads
Three Note, Open-Voiced Major Triads
C VIII C III C X
C VIII C III C X
1 1 1
1 1 1
root position
root position
2
2
3 3 4 3 4
3 3 4 3 4
1 5 3 1 5 3 1 5 3
1 5 3 1 5 3 1 5 3

C X C V C I
C X C V C I
1 1 1
1 1 1
first inversion
first inversion
2
2
3 4 3 4
3 4 3 4
3 1 5 4 3 1 5
3 1 5 4 3 1 5
3 1 5
3 1 5

C II C IX C V
C II C IX C V
1 1 1 2
1 1 1 2
second inversion 2
second inversion 2
2
2

4 4
4 4
5 3 1 4 5 3 1
5 3 1 4 5 3 1
5 3 1
5 3 1

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 6 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

Three Note Close-Voiced Triads

MAJOR E/D form D/C form A/G form MINOR E/D form D/C form A/G form
G III G VII G X Gm III Gm VI Gm X
stringset 1-3 stringset 1-3

G III G VII G XII Gm III Gm VII Gm XI

stringset 2-4 stringset 2-4

G IV G VII G XII Gm III Gm VII Gm XII

stringset 3-5 stringset 3-5

G V G IX G XII Gm V Gm VIII Gm XII

stringset 1-3 stringset 1-3

DIMINISHED E/D form D/C form A/G form AUGMENTED E/D form D/C form A/G form
G dim. II G dim. VI G dim. IX G aug. III G aug. VII G aug. XI
stringset 1-3 stringset 1-3

G dim. II G dim. VI G dim. XI G aug. IV G aug. VIII G aug. XII

stringset 2-4 stringset 2-4

G dim. III G dim. VI G dim. XI G aug. IV G aug. VIII G aug. XII

stringset 3-5 1 stringset 3-5 1
2
2 3

4 1 3 #5
1 b3 b5

G dim. IV G dim. VIII G dim. XI G aug. V G aug. IX G aug. XIII

stringset 1-3 stringset 1-3 1
1 1
2 2
2 3 3

4 1 3 #5 1 3 #5
1 b3 b5

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 7

Three Note Open-Voiced Triads

augmented are on the next page

MAJOR, root position MINOR, root position DIMINISHED, root position

2 3

1 5 3

MAJOR, first inversion MINOR, first inversion DIMINISHED, first inversion

MAJOR, second inversion MINOR, second inversion DIMINISHED, second inversion

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 8 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

MAJOR, root position AUGMENTED, root position

1
2

4
1 #5 3

MAJOR, first inversion AUGMENTED, first inversion

MAJOR, second inversion AUGMENTED, second inversion

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 9

FIRST JAZZ CHORDS

Memorize These First
Test yourself by covering the diagrams and reading one of the chord names in the six rows below,
assigning a letter name (i.e. Bbma7). See if you can recall all three of the fingerings for the chord (E
form, C form and A form). Be progressive. First work with the first four chords, then the first row, then
add 7b5 & 7#5; 7b9 & 7#9; 9 & m9; then include all eighteen chord types.

octave major ma7 7 (dom 7) 6 augmented minor m7 m7b5 º7 (dim. 7)

shape
1-3-5 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-b7 1-3-5-6 1-3-#5 1-b3-5 1-b3-5-b7 1-b3-b5-b7 1-b3-b5-6

E
form

A
form

C
11
form
2
3

1 3 #5 1

octave 7b5 7#5 7sus.4 7b9 7#9 9 (dom. 9) m9 69 13

shape
1-3-b5-b7 1-3-#5-b7 1-4-5-b7 1-3-5-b7-b2 1-3-5-b7-#2 1-3-5-b7-2 1-b3-5-b7-2 1-2-3-5-6 1-3-5-b7-2-(4)-6

E
form 1
2
34

1 3 b7 #2

A
form 11
2

4
3 5 b7 #2

C
1 1 1 1 1111
form
2 3 2 3 2 3 2
4 4

b5 3 b7 1 1 3 b7 b2 1 3 b7 #2 3 6 2 5 1

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 10 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

The Major Family of Chords

Memorize in the order: E form, A form, C form, D form, G form.

practice in succession

octave 5 major ma7 7 (dom 7) 6 augmented add 9

shape (power chord)
1-5 1-3-5 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-b7 1-3-5-6 1-3-#5 1-3-5-2

E
form

D
form

C
form 1 11
2
3
4
1 5 1 3 #5 1

A
form 1 1

4
1 5 2 3

G
form 1 11
2

4 4
1 5 #5 1 3 1

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 11

The Minor Family of Chords

Memorize in the order: E form low, A form, C form, E form high, D form, G form. Any note in a
diminished seventh can be the root.
practice in succession

octave minor minor (ma7) m7 m7b5 º7 (dim. 7) m6 m add 9

shape
1-b3-5 1-b3-5-7 1-b3-5-b7 1-b3-b5-b7 1-b3-b5-6 1-b3-5-6 1-b3-5-2

E
form
high

E
form
low

D
form

C
form

A
form

G
form 1
2
34

b3 2 5 1

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 12 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

Ninths, Thirteenth and Altered Sevenths

Memorize in the order: E form low, A form, C form, E form high, D form, G form.
Preferred chord tones are the third, the seventh (if involved) and any note mentioned in the chord name.

octave 9 (dom. 9) 13 7b5 7#5 7b9 7#9 m9

shape
1-3-5-b7-2 1-3-5-b7-2-(4)-6 1-3-b5-b7 1-3-#5-b7 1-3-5-b7-b2 1-3-5-b7-#2 1-b3-5-b7-2

E
form 1 1 1 1 1 1
high 3 2 3 23 2
4 34
4
b7 3 b5 1
b7 3 6 2 b7 3 #5 1 1 3 b7 #2

E
form
low

D
form 11 1 1 11
2 2 2 2
2 3 3 3
4 4 4
3 b7 5 6 2 1 b5 b7 3 1 #5 b7 3 3 5 b7 #2

C
form 1 1 1 1
2 3 2 3 2 3
4 4

b5 3 b7 1 1 3 b7 b2 1 3 b7 #2

A
form 11
2

4
3 5 b7 #2

G
form 1 1 1
222
2 3 2
4 3
3 b7 1 b5 4 3 b7 #2 5
3 b7 1 #5

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 1: Starting to Improvise Fingering Common Chords page 13

Suspended and Six Nine

Preferred chord tones are the third, the seventh (if involved) and any note mentioned in the chord name.

octave sus. 4 sus.2 7sus.4 7sus.2 9sus.4 69 m69

shape
1-4-5 1-2-5 1-4-5-b7 1-5-b7-2 1-4-5-b7-2 1-2-3-5-6 1-b3-5-6-2

E
form 1 1 1 1 1
high
3 4 3 4 2 34
3
1 5 2 4 b7 4 5 2 1 b3 6 2
1 2 b7
E
form 1 11 1 1 1 1 1
low 2
334 2 22 3 2 34
34 3 4
1 5 1 4 5 1 5 1 2 5 4 1 1 4 b7 2 1 5 b3 6 2
1 5 2 b7
D
1 1 11 11
form

3 3 3
4 4
1 5 1 2 4 b3 5 6 2
3 5 6 2

C
1 11 2 34 1 1111 1
form
2 2 23 4 2 2
34
34 3
1 4 5 1 1 2 5 1 1 b7 2 4 b7 2 5 3 6 2 5 1 b3 6 2 5

A
form 11

2
3
4
b3 6 1 2 5
G
form 11 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 3 4
2 23
4 3 4 3 4 4 23
1 5 1 4 1 5 2 5 1 b7 1 4 1 b7 2 5 1 6 2 3 4
1 6 2 b3

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 14 Fingering Common Chords Part 1: Starting to Improvise back to contents

ESSENTIAL BLUES CHORDS

these three are good for pedal point
octave 7 (dom 7) 9 (dom. 9) 13 6 9 no 3, no 5 6 no 5 9 no root, no 3
shape
1-3-5-b7 1-3-5-b7-2 1-3-5-b7-2-(4)-6 1-3-5-6

E
form
low

E
form 1 1
high 3
4

b7 3 6 2

D
form 11 1 1 2 1 2
2 4
2 3 4 4
4
3 b7 5 6 2 2 b7 3 1 6 3 b7 5 3

C
form
mid

C
form 1 1
high 2 33 22
33

5 3 b7 2 b7 3 6 2 5

A
form

G
form
low

G
form
high

©1998-2023 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.