Fingerpicking chords

Is 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 with 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 exempel, 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#

G/B

Aadd4/C#

Em/G

F#m/A

Bm/D

Comments

Notice 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)

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#

Bsus4/F#

Emaj7/B (no3)

G#m/C# (no5)

G#m/B (no5)

C#madd2

Esus2

G#m/D#

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)

In C key with semi-open chords

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

G

G7

Am13

Csus2

Cmaj9/G

G6/A

Em

Em11/A

Cmaj7/G

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 realtive minor key).

F6

Dm

Dm/C

Bb(addb5)

Comments

Notice 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