How do I read this thing that says how to play this guitar chord?

Question

http://guitar.about.com/library/blchord_aminor.htm

I'm just starting on guitar, and I don't know how to read this. Can someone please help?

Answer 1

learn more at www.all-guitar-chords.com

Answer 2

The thick black line on top means the end of the guitar (as compared to a chord that might be at the 5th fret, which would have a 5 on the side to indicate that). So that single dot is on the 1st fret. The 1st vertical line is your thickest string and the 6th line is of course your thinnest string. The X on top the thick line means you do not strum that string and the O means you do strum it.

Answer 3

What you're looking at is a chord diagram, which shows the fingering of a particular chord. When you look at the guitar neck when the guitar is right in front of you, that's what a chord diagram is showing: a piece of the guitar neck in a four fret space.

The dots represent your fingers (which should have numbers indicating which ones to use)

Vertical lines (going from left to right) indicate the 6th string-1st string.

Horizontal lines represent the frets of the guitar (so for Am, you'll only be using the first and second frets) The blackened horizontal line indicates the nut of the guitar.

0 means open string (you still play it when you strum the chord)

X means to not play the string

To form Am is this:

-Index finger on the second string, first fret

-Middle finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret

-Ring finger on the 3rd string, 2nd fret

You need another site to view correct chord diagrams, and here it is:

http://www.cyberfret.com/chords/beginnin...

If you get lost, here's a page on how to read chord diagrams. Just in case:

http://www.cyberfret.com/chords/primer/i...

Answer 4

The O's refer to open strings and the X refers to a dead string (not played). The black dots show finger placement on the fretboard. The chord is an A minor. I assume you know that the line at the top of the diagram is the nut, where the strings pass from the fretboard over to the machine head.