In today’s cigar box guitar lesson, let’s learn 10 major chord shapes you should know.  If you are a beginner at cigar box guitar, the first thing you will want to learn is how to play a few basic chords.  We will use the open G tuning on the 3-string tuned G-D-G. 

Watch the video below to get a quick start in learning 10 ways to play a G major chord:

Chord Shape #1 

The holy grail of cigar box guitar chords is simply strumming the open strings producing a G5 chord.  This chord shape has many uses as it functions primarily as both a G major or a G minor chord. 

The other great thing about this chord shape is you can play it with 1 finger or a straight slide.  Now, to use this chord to its full potential, you need to know where the root note is.  In this case, the root note G is on the 3rd  string (or 4th if you are playing a 4-string CBG). So you need to learn all the note names on the 3rd string to move the chord around:

Chord Shape #2 

The next chord shape, though harder to play, is also an essential chord to master.  The G major chord is easy as you can use the open strings and have a finger on the 4th fret of the first string:

However, to play this chord shape down and up the neck, you need to make a barre. First, place your 1st finger in a straight line on all the strings, then extend your 4th pinky finger up 3 frets:

Again, to move this chord around, you need to know the root is on the 3rd string.  Memorize all the notes on the 3rd string and practice moving the chord around the neck.

Chord Shape #3  

You may have noticed the next chord shape is similar to chord shape #2.  This is a cool thing that happens in this cigar box guitar tuning GDG.  If you flip the 1st and 3rd string notes, you get the same type of chord. 

In this case, it’s a major chord.  One important note, though.  These chords are both G majors, but they do sound different.  The big difference is the 3rd note of the chord, in this case, B, is now the lowest pitched note. 

This chord is usually written like this: G/B.  The chord has a slightly less focused harmonic function but still very useful, especially in songs that require the 3rd in the bass note.  Try this chord progression to hear the difference between the G and G/B:

Chord Shape #4 and #5  

The following two chord shapes are more examples of flipping the chord shape.  These chords are also great to learn as they give you more options for the major chord and are relatively easy to play:

Chord Shape #6

This next chord shape is also technically a G5 as it doesn’t have the 3rd of the chord.  So, you can use this one as either major or minor as well.

Chord Shape #7

Chord shape #7 is our first chord that doesn’t even have a G in the chord!  This will seem weird for sure, but because we only have 3 strings, we have to “substitute” chords that sound like the chord we are trying to play.

If you remember, the G chord has a G, B and D, but notice this chord only has a D and B.  Usually, this chord will work fine as a G chord but maybe not a chord you can just vamp on (vamp means to keep playing repeatedly).  

This chord works best when you play with another instrument playing the root note or as a passing chord.  In the key of G, you can add the open 3rd string as an option.

Chord Shape #8 and #9

Here we are again, with the following two shapes being interchangeable.  These two chord shapes are nice-sounding but, unfortunately, a little bit of a stretch for the fingers.  Try to play these chords in the higher positions where the frets are closer if you can’t make the reach lower down the neck.

Chord Shape #10

And finally, the last chord shape lacks the 5th note of the chord, the D., The difference with this chord is it has the 3rd, which determines the major or minor quality.  So this chord functions nicely as a major chord and more playable:

And there you have it, 10 handy chord shapes on the 3-string cigar box guitar.  Of course, there are many more chords to learn, but this is a great place to get started playing chords on your CBG.  

For more chords, check out the Complete Cigar box Guitar Chord Book for the 3-string and 4-string. 

Check back often for more free cigar box guitar lessons, and leave suggestions for future posts below.

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