Guitar chord vocab: chords with open strings
Open your mind to these easy-to-learn shapes
![Em](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/374576d9f849e3ce00914cc1b4599299-320-80.jpg)
Em
Most people start their guitar journey learning open C major, and soon wish they’d chosen bird-watching. Eventually, the easy Em appears, and is such a relief. If only there were more chords like that.
Well, here’s our starting point, that comfy old E minor chord…
![Cmaj7](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/57a3aa227227585a2905f4a57d9d1e00-320-80.jpg)
Cmaj7
Look at this! Just a slight adjustment and you’ve made C major 7.
If you really are a total beginner, don’t worry about the names… this is just a C major variant. Fret the notes with your second and third fingers.
![Am7sus2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b4aa480827c42e13131849b370810558-320-80.jpg)
Am7sus2
After all that excitement, let’s ease back on the stress levels. Take off your third finger from the fifth string, and we have a nice ringing A minor alternative.
![D13(no7)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8850ce14c4dd6599ec376dcff475bd5d-320-80.jpg)
D13(no7)
We’re going to venture a bit further up the neck, but don’t worry, we’re going to take that Cmaj7 chord and shift it up two frets. This is an interesting D major substitute.