Fingerpicking chords

Are there chords that are especially well-suited for fingerstyle? There definitely is. Although you can use common open chords, there are tons of other possibilities. The purpose of this guide is to collect different groups of chords that can be used by anyone who likes to improvise on the guitar with fingerpicking.

In general (but not as a rule), the high e string is often avoided. For example, in the chord sequence C/G (3X201X) - D/F# (2X023X).

In D key on the bass string

These are a group of chords with similar shapes that match each other and can be exploited for fingerpicking patterns.

D/F#

  • D/F# chord diagram 20023X

G/B

  • G/B chord diagram 7X078X

Aadd4/C#

  • Aadd4/C# chord diagram 9X09 10 X

Em/G

  • Em/G chord diagram 3XX45X

F#m/A

  • F#m/A chord diagram 5XX67X

Bm/D

  • Bm/D chord diagram 10 X 0 11 12 X

Comments

Note that you only use two shapes for all chords. In some the D string is included as an open string. It's still possible to include the open D-string in all chord, although it isn't a part of the chords it's part of the D major scale.

Chord progressions

Some examples of progressions using these chords:

F#m/A - Em/G - D/F# - Em/G - G/B - Aadd4/C# - D/F# - Em/G (see tab)

tab chord progression

In E key with three-note chords

These are a group of chords which all include the two highest strings and all include three notes. They present ideas for effortless and beautiful fingerpicking music.

E/G#

  • E/G# chord diagram

Bsus4/F#

  • E/G# chord diagram

Emaj7/B (no3)

  • Em/G chord diagram

G#m/C# (no5)

  • G#m/C# chord diagram

G#m/B (no5)

  • G#m/B (no5) chord diagram

C#madd2

  • F#m/A chord diagram

Esus2

  • Esus2 chord diagram

G#m/D#

  • G#m/D# chord diagram

Comments

These group could be extended further with matching chords such as x2xx00, x4xx00, xx1x00, and xx2x00, xx1x02, xx2x04, xx4x05, x4x10x and x0210x.

C#madd2 is more correct written C#madd2 (no5).

Chord progressions

Some examples of progressions using these chords:

E/G# - Bsus4/F# - C#madd2 - Emaj7/B (see tab)

tab chord progression

In C key with semi-open chords

A collection of chords suitable for fingerstyle guitar in the key of C.

G

  • G chord diagram

G7

  • G7 chord diagram

Am13

  • Am13 chord diagram

Csus2

  • Csus2 chord diagram

Cmaj9/G

  • Cmaj9/G chord diagram

G6/A

  • G6/A chord diagram

Em

  • Em chord diagram 0XX003

Em11/A

  • Em11/A chord diagram

Cmaj7/G

  • Cmaj7/G chord diagram

Comments

An option for Cmaj7/G is 33X000, which for example can be combined with G6 using this fingering: 3X0030. Another choice for Cmaj7 is X3X000. Some more options in this key are Fmaj11 as 1X220X and Asus2/E as 0X220X.

Chord progressions

Some examples of progressions that include some of these chords:

Fmaj7 - Cmaj9/G - C - Am

Em11/A - G6/A - Cmaj7/G

In F key or Dm

A collection of chords suitable for fingerstyle guitar in the key of F (or Dm, which is the relative minor key).

F6

  • F6 chord diagram

Dm

  • Dm chord diagram

Dm/C

  • Dm/C chord diagram

Bb(addb5)

  • Bb(addb5) chord diagram

Comments

Note that the F6 also can be played with a barre shape in fingerpicking situations. An option for Bb(addb5) is Gm6/Bb as X1X030.

Chord progressions

Some examples of progressions that include some of these chords:

F6 - Gm - A

Dm - Dm/C - Bb(addb5) - A7sus4


See also the Fingerpicking patterns.

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