3 Beautiful Guitar Chords That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Playing
Most guitarists know the standard open chords — C, G, Am, D. They’re useful, but they can start to sound a little plain.
The fastest way to make your playing sound more advanced isn’t complicated scales — it’s upgrading your chords. With just one or two extra notes, a simple triad can become cinematic, soulful, and inspiring.
Here are 3 beautiful chord upgrades you can start using today:
1. Am11
Why it works: By adding the 7th, 9th, and 11th, Am11 becomes deep, layered, and emotional.
Progression idea: Am11 → D9 → Gmaj7 → Cmaj9
Am11
2. Fmaj9
Why it works: Smooth and spacious, Fmaj9 turns a plain F into something dreamy and cinematic.
Progression idea: Fmaj9 → Cmaj7 → Am7 → G6/9
Fmaj9
3. G6/9
Why it works: Both jazzy and accessible, G6/9 adds sophistication without being dissonant.
Progression idea: G6/9 → Cmaj7 → Am7 → Dadd9/F#
G6/9
Want More?
These are just 3 of the 11 chords I break down in my new eBook.
Inside you’ll get 10 essential chord upgrades plus 1 bonus chord, clear diagrams, simple theory tips, and real-world progressions.
Stop playing the same old shapes — start playing chords that truly inspire you.