Free Beginner Guitar Poster: Chords, Fretboard, Tab (PDF)

Beginner guitar poster (Guitar Basics), Letter: Open Chords, Notes on the Fretboard, Reading Tab, Pentatonic Box, Power Chords — Make it yours: see it in another style
Dark Modern Minimal

The Guitar Basics poster in the Dark style — Make it yours: see it in another style
Dark Modern Minimal

All sizes and files

Size	Dimensions	Sections	US terms	UK terms
Letter	216 × 279 mm · 8.5 × 11 in	5	PDF, 87 KB	PDF, 87 KB
A4	210 × 297 mm · 8.3 × 11.7 in	5	PDF, 87 KB	PDF, 87 KB
11 × 17 in	279 × 432 mm · 11 × 17 in	5	PDF, 104 KB	PDF, 104 KB
A3	297 × 420 mm · 11.7 × 16.5 in	6	PDF, 117 KB	PDF, 117 KB
A2	420 × 594 mm · 16.5 × 23.4 in	7	PDF, 131 KB	PDF, 130 KB
18 × 24 in	18 × 24 in · 457 × 610 mm	7	PDF, 136 KB	PDF, 136 KB
A1	594 × 841 mm · 23.4 × 33.1 in	7	PDF, 146 KB	PDF, 146 KB
24 × 36 in	24 × 36 in · 610 × 914 mm	7	PDF, 142 KB	PDF, 141 KB

What’s on the beginner guitar poster

Open Chords: C, A, G, E, D, Am, Em and Dm as chord boxes, with finger numbers, which strings to play or mute, and the root marked.
Notes on the Fretboard: every natural note in standard tuning up to the 12th fret, where the pattern starts again.
Reading Tab: what the lines and numbers mean, the opening of Ode to Joy to try, and how hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides and bends are written.
Pentatonic Box: the most-used scale shape, at the 5th fret, which is A minor and C major pentatonic at once, and how to move it to other keys.
Power Chords: the two-note shape on the low E and A strings, and how to move it.
Common Progressions and Note & Rest Values: the chord patterns behind most songs, and how long each note lasts.

A4 holds the five guitar sections; A2 and larger add progressions and note values. The chord boxes and fretboard are drawn from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and checked note by note.

How to use it

Two chords at a time: pick two open chords from the poster (Em and G are a good start) and switch between them until the change is smooth.
Play a progression: the poster’s progressions are written in C; try C, G, Am, F with the chord boxes beside you.
Learn the low strings first: the notes on the low E and A strings name most chord shapes, including the power chords on the same poster.
Songs in other keys: keep the open shapes and add a capo. The capo chart shows which fret puts each shape in the song’s key.

Learn it step by step

The poster is a reminder; these free lessons and guides teach each part, with notes you can play and hear.

Open Chords: Lesson 31: Major and Minor Chords · Lesson 32: Chords in a Key
Notes on the Fretboard: Lesson 26: Half Steps and Whole Steps
Note & Rest Values: Lesson 15: How Long Is a Note? · Music Note Values · Note Value Chart · Time Signatures
Common Progressions: Lesson 32: Chords in a Key · Chords in a Key

New to reading music?Start with lesson 1: free, in your browser, no account.

Start lesson 1

Questions

Is it really free? Yes. Download it, print as many copies as you like, and share the link. No email or account.

Is it for left-handed players? The chord boxes are drawn for right-handed guitar, as most charts are. A left-handed version is planned.

Which size should I print? A4 for the music stand or a gig bag; A2 or larger for the wall of a practice room or guitar class.

What’s the best chart for learning the fretboard? Start with the natural notes on the low E and A strings, where most chord roots sit; this poster shows every natural note up to the 12th fret, and the guitar fretboard notes chart has every note, sharps and flats included. Then learn the pentatonic box. For more scale shapes, see the guitar scales chart, and for bass, the bass guitar chart.

Is a guitar chart different from a piano chart? The notes and the theory are the same, but the pictures are different. Piano charts show keys and fingering. Guitar charts show chord boxes, fret positions and tab, and guitar scales are movable shapes rather than notes spelled out. Choose the one for your instrument. The music theory poster suits both.