The Minor Chords Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (00:12) The Minor Chords David MacKenzie plays through some of the minor chord shapes that he will teach in this lesson.
Chapter 2: (00:52) The Minor Chords In the previous lesson, you learned some basic major chord shapes. This time around, Dave will apply the same instructional approach to minor chords. It is important to master both major as well as minor chord shapes since they are frequently used together in chord progressions.

Note: Chord charts for every chord taught in this lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab. These charts can also be found in JamPlay's Chord Library. This section can be accessed via the "Teaching Tools" tab on the left side of the home page.
Chapter 3: (02:57) A Minor Chord and More Am

The first chord that Dave demonstrates is the "open" A minor chord shape. A chord is referred to as an "open" chord when it contains one or more open strings. The low E string is usually not played with this chord shape. However, the high E string as well as the A string are played open. The open A string is the root note of this chord. The second plays the note E at the 2nd fret of the D string. The third finger is used to fret an additional root note A at the 2nd fret of the G string. Finally, the index finger holds down the note C at the first fret of the B string.

When playing this chord, be sure to fret each of the notes on the tips of your fingers. Also, arch your wrist outwards to ensure that your third finger is not obstructing the high E string and preventing it from ringing clearly.

Bm

From a visual standpoint, the Bm chord is quite similar to Am. However, the Bm chord features no open strings. Consequently, a barre must be employed to fret the 5th and 1st strings. This barre is performed by the index finger. As a result of this barre, the fingering for the remaining three notes must be adjusted. The 3rd, 4th, and 2nd fingers fret the notes on the D, G, and B strings respectively. Pay close attention as Dave compares and contrasts the fingerings for the Am and Bm chords at 01:45 in the lesson video.

For many of you, this may be your first barre chord. Bar chords can be very challenging and frustrating when first learning them. Do not feel discouraged if you don't immediately master this chord shape. It will take a few weeks of practice before it feels totally comfortable. In the meantime, you can play an abbreviated shape of this chord that omits the note played on the fifth string. Omitting this note eliminates the barre from the chord shape. Now, the first finger must only fret the note F# at the 2nd fret of the high E string.

Like Dave mentions, you should begin practicing the process of switching from one chord to the next. Once you have mastered the Am and Bm chord shapes individually, begin to practice switching back and forth between them. Chapter 4: (04:10) More Minor Chords Cm

The Cm chord utilizes the exact same barre chord shape as Bm. By sliding all of the notes of the Bm chord up one fret, the Cm chord is formed. You may find Cm a little bit easier to play than Bm, because it is slightly higher on the neck. Consequently, your fingers do not have to stretch quite as far. If you find this to be the case, use the Cm chord as a stepping stone to the more difficult Bm chord.

Dm

To play a Dm chord, you could just slide the entire Cm shape up two frets. However, Dm is more commonly played as a basic "open" chord shape. This "open" chord shape omits the low sixth and fifth strings. The D string is played open. This open D note is the root note of the chord. The second finger holds down the note A at the 2nd fret of the G string. The third finger plays the note D at the 3rd fret of the B string. Finally, the index finger frets the note F at the 1st fret on the high E string.

The Am and Dm chords frequently appear together in many chord progressions. As a result, you must become familiar with switching back and forth between these two chord shapes.

Em

The E minor chord is one of the easiest chords to master in the entire guitar vocabulary. This is due to the fact that you only have to fret two notes. These notes are B and E. B is fretted by the second finger at the 2nd fret of the A string. The third finger plays E at the second fret of the D string. Also, you do not have to avoid any of the six strings when strumming.

Fm

When playing an Fm chord, utilize the same basic fretboard shape applied to the "open" Em chord. Since the Fm chord contains no open strings, the first finger must perform a barre across all six strings. A barre that extends across the entire fretboard is called a full barre or "grand" barre. Then, the third and fourth fingers at the 3rd fret must now fret the notes that were once fretted by the second and third fingers.

Be patient with this chord! It can be very difficult at first. Since your second finger is not used to fret any notes, it can be used as a clamp to help the first finger hold down all of the strings under the grand barre.

Note: For additional help with barre chords, use JamPlay's search feature to locate all lessons pertaining to barre chords. This feature is located in the upper right-hand corner of the home page.

Gm

By sliding the entire Fm shape up two frets, a Gm chord is formed. This chord is slightly easier to play since it is a little bit higher up on the fretboard. The barre chord shape based on the "open" Em chord can be shifted up the entire length of the fretboard to create new chords. Watch closely as Dave shifts this basic chord shape up the neck to fret barre chord versions of the Am and Bm chords.

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