StrumForge

Fretboard reference

Guitar Triad Chart: 24 Major & Minor Shapes

Three notes. Four string sets. A lot more freedom on the neck. Use these C major and A minor triad shapes to find smaller chords without memorizing another six-string grip.

Updated

Read the chart in 30 seconds

Standard tuning: E–A–D–G–B–E. String 1 is the thin high E. Each group lists strings from lower pitch to higher pitch: 3 / 2 / 1, for example, means G / B / high E. Read the fret numbers in that same order. Play only the three named strings.

Blue marks the root. Every diagram is fully fretted, so the shape can move to a new key. The lowest sounding note determines the inversion: root position starts on the root, first inversion on the third, and second inversion on the fifth.

ChordNotesRoot positionFirst inversionSecond inversion
C majorC–E–GC in bassE in bassG in bass
A minorA–C–EA in bassC in bassE in bass

Strings 3–2–1: major and minor triads

Fret order: G / B / high E. These are close-position voicings: the notes follow each other in pitch, with no extra octave spread.

C major · C–E–G

Root position

C major, root position, strings 3–2–1, frets 5–5–33C2E1G3456

5 / 5 / 3 · C–E–G

Bass: C

First inversion

C major, first inversion, strings 3–2–1, frets 9–8–83E2G1C891011

9 / 8 / 8 · E–G–C

Bass: E

Second inversion

C major, second inversion, strings 3–2–1, frets 12–13–123G2C1E12131415

12 / 13 / 12 · G–C–E

Bass: G

A minor · A–C–E

Root position

A minor, root position, strings 3–2–1, frets 14–13–123A2C1E12131415

14 / 13 / 12 · A–C–E

Bass: A

First inversion

A minor, first inversion, strings 3–2–1, frets 5–5–53C2E1A5678

5 / 5 / 5 · C–E–A

Bass: C

Second inversion

A minor, second inversion, strings 3–2–1, frets 9–10–83E2A1C891011

9 / 10 / 8 · E–A–C

Bass: E

Strings 4–3–2: major and minor triads

Fret order: D / G / B. These are close-position voicings: the notes follow each other in pitch, with no extra octave spread.

C major · C–E–G

Root position

C major, root position, strings 4–3–2, frets 10–9–84C3E2G891011

10 / 9 / 8 · C–E–G

Bass: C

First inversion

C major, first inversion, strings 4–3–2, frets 14–12–134E3G2C12131415

14 / 12 / 13 · E–G–C

Bass: E

Second inversion

C major, second inversion, strings 4–3–2, frets 5–5–54G3C2E5678

5 / 5 / 5 · G–C–E

Bass: G

A minor · A–C–E

Root position

A minor, root position, strings 4–3–2, frets 7–5–54A3C2E5678

7 / 5 / 5 · A–C–E

Bass: A

First inversion

A minor, first inversion, strings 4–3–2, frets 10–9–104C3E2A9101112

10 / 9 / 10 · C–E–A

Bass: C

Second inversion

A minor, second inversion, strings 4–3–2, frets 2–2–14E3A2C1234

2 / 2 / 1 · E–A–C

Bass: E

Strings 5–4–3: major and minor triads

Fret order: A / D / G. These are close-position voicings: the notes follow each other in pitch, with no extra octave spread.

C major · C–E–G

Root position

C major, root position, strings 5–4–3, frets 15–14–125C4E3G12131415

15 / 14 / 12 · C–E–G

Bass: C

First inversion

C major, first inversion, strings 5–4–3, frets 7–5–55E4G3C5678

7 / 5 / 5 · E–G–C

Bass: E

Second inversion

C major, second inversion, strings 5–4–3, frets 10–10–95G4C3E9101112

10 / 10 / 9 · G–C–E

Bass: G

A minor · A–C–E

Root position

A minor, root position, strings 5–4–3, frets 12–10–95A4C3E9101112

12 / 10 / 9 · A–C–E

Bass: A

First inversion

A minor, first inversion, strings 5–4–3, frets 3–2–25C4E3A2345

3 / 2 / 2 · C–E–A

Bass: C

Second inversion

A minor, second inversion, strings 5–4–3, frets 7–7–55E4A3C5678

7 / 7 / 5 · E–A–C

Bass: E

Strings 6–5–4: major and minor triads

Fret order: low E / A / D. These are close-position voicings: the notes follow each other in pitch, with no extra octave spread.

C major · C–E–G

Root position

C major, root position, strings 6–5–4, frets 8–7–56C5E4G5678

8 / 7 / 5 · C–E–G

Bass: C

First inversion

C major, first inversion, strings 6–5–4, frets 12–10–106E5G4C10111213

12 / 10 / 10 · E–G–C

Bass: E

Second inversion

C major, second inversion, strings 6–5–4, frets 3–3–26G5C4E2345

3 / 3 / 2 · G–C–E

Bass: G

A minor · A–C–E

Root position

A minor, root position, strings 6–5–4, frets 5–3–26A5C4E2345

5 / 3 / 2 · A–C–E

Bass: A

First inversion

A minor, first inversion, strings 6–5–4, frets 8–7–76C5E4A78910

8 / 7 / 7 · C–E–A

Bass: C

Second inversion

A minor, second inversion, strings 6–5–4, frets 12–12–106E5A4C10111213

12 / 12 / 10 · E–A–C

Bass: E

Move one shape into another key

Take C major root position on strings 3–2–1: 5 / 5 / 3. Move every note up two frets to 7 / 7 / 5. The result is D major: D–F♯–A. The intervals stay the same because all three notes moved the same distance.

For a minor example, A minor root position is 2 / 1 / 0 in its familiar open form. The chart uses the fully fretted version 14 / 13 / 12 so the entire grip can move together. Moving it down two frets gives G minor at 12 / 11 / 10.

A lower chart position is not automatically the best fingering in a song. Choose the inversion nearest the previous chord and listen to the top note.

Make the chart part of a five-minute practice session

  1. One minute: Choose C major on strings 3–2–1. Play and name each note.
  2. Two minutes: Move through root position, first inversion, and second inversion. Say the bass note before strumming.
  3. One minute: Repeat with A minor on the same strings. Notice C and E appear in both chords.
  4. One minute: Move one major shape up two frets and check every note.

StrumForge’s Triad Trainer keeps the shapes, interval labels, and playback together. Choose one root and string set, then hear the inversions strummed or one note at a time.

Try StrumForge Free

Free trainer preview. Interactive controls and playback require StrumForge Pro.

Turn shapes into chord changesPractice C–F–G with small movements.Find a triad practice appCompare shapes, challenges, and interval drills.