What Are Guitar Chords?
A guitar chord is a group of notes played together to create harmony.
In simple terms
Most guitar chords use three or more notes. A chord shape tells you which strings and frets produce those notes on the guitar.
How chords are built
Chords are built from a root note and selected intervals. A major chord uses a root, major third and perfect fifth; a minor chord lowers the third by one semitone.
Chord names
The letter names the root. Symbols after it describe the quality: Am is A minor, G7 is G dominant seventh and Cmaj7 is C major seventh.
How guitarists use chords
Guitarists arrange chords into progressions to accompany melodies, establish a key and create movement through a song.