Here is a chart of the types of chords you will most commonly find in sheet music. The shapes given are all based around the first few frets. The most useful chord shapes are out lined with a box. The other shapes are given for your reference only but in most cases would be better played holding a bar chord shape. Bar chords, although a little difficult at first are ultimately easier and more convenient to play than most of the non-outlined shapes. All good guitarists play bar chords. For more information on bar chords see Progressive bar chords. The boxed shapes are generally easier to play and should be memorized. These open chords sound particularly good on acoustic guitars and for fingerpicking.