I’m sure you’ve seen some Slash Chords before!

And they have absolutely nothing to do with the Guns N Roses guitarist.

Slash Chords are great! They're not hard to remember, and can really add some fun to your playing. . :) We call them Slash Chords because there's an actual slash on their name! For example:

👉 C/G - You can read that as a C slash G, or a C over G chord.

But what exactly are slash chords? Well, I'm glad you've asked!

👉 Slash chords are the same open chords you know, but with a different bass note.

Before you get too scared, keep in mind that if you don’t know how to play a specific Slash Chord, you can just play the chord in front of the slash. But, in today's lesson, we'll learn 10 Essential Slash Chords All Beginners Should Know, and that'll save you loads of headaches. Now let's get started!

10 Essential Slash Chord Grips

Before we get into the following chord grips, be aware that you can explore different fingering options. Choose the ones that feel the most comfortable for you! Sometimes, you can choose a certain fingering (or even play a Slash Chord instead of regular grip) to make the chord changes easier!

How to Play G/B - Option 1

There are many different ways you can play G/B on the guitar. The following diagram shows you the simplest way of playing it. It's not the most common grip, but it's perfect for giving you an idea! Take a look:

How to Play G/B - Option 2

Now, take a look at this way of playing the G/B chord! I'd say this is the most common way.

How to Play G/B - Option 3

Another common variation is moving your pinky down to the thinnest string. It's still the same chord but with a slightly twangier sound.

How to Play D/F# - Option 1

If you can grab the 2nd fret with your thumb you get a big fat D/F# - take a look:

How to Play D/F# - Option 2

If you can't grab the thumb over, here's another fingering option for playing D/F#. I don't like this one - it feels awkward - but it might work for you. Give it a try!

How to Play D/F# - Option 3

Without using the thumb, this is the D/F# variation that I play the most!

How to Play D/F# - Option 4

Depending on the circumstances, you can play D/F# without using your first finger. Sometimes, that makes chord changes easier!

How to Play G/F#

The G/F# is a ton easier to play than D/F# if you are going from G to Em. Sometimes, it sounds better, sometimes it doesn't. You just have to use your ears and decide what you like best!

How to Play C/G - Option 1

The C/G chord is one of my favorite slash grips! I love this one, and I often play it instead of a regular C, just because it sounds so big. Take a look at the diagram - this is an easy one! ;)

How to Play C/G - Option 2

If you are alternating the bass notes, it might work best to move Finger 3 over and not add the root back with Finger 4. Listen and decide, no rules here.

How to Play C/E - Option 1

If you have a C and you're going to play an F, this C/E makes for a lovely transition.

I've just noticed a MISTAKE here - the rote in String 5 should be finger 3. To be fixed as soon as possible!

How to Play C/E - Option 2

There are times that the C/E on just the thinnest four strings will sound sweeter.

How to Play C/B

This is a common substitute for the G/B as it has a similar sound.

How to Play Cadd2/B

This C chord variation is super useful in the right place - just gotta use your ears!

How to play A/E

Just play a regular A chord and forget to mute the thickest string! :) But it's better if you mute String 5 with the tip of your 2nd Finger!

How to play D/A

This one is like if you were playing a D and accidentally played the A string too! It sounds great, and you'll find it in loads of songs from rock bands like AC/DC!

How to play F/A

Not a super common chord but sounds great in the right place. It's not too hard either!

4 Slightly Harder but Cool Slash Chords

Up for a challenge? I've got a few more Slash Chords for you!

How to play A/C#

This A/C# sounds really nice coming from A or Bm or going to D.

How to play Am/G

You'll commonly find Am/G between Am and F. It sounds great! An Am7/G can be a substitute for Am/G, and it's identical to C/G. :)

How to play G/F

You'll easily recognize this chord from the song Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette.

How to play Am/F#

We also know this chord as F#m7b5 - a super cool one found in Kashmir! :)

Practice with Actual Songs!

The best way to learn a new grip is by playing them on real songs! Actually, don't feel like you should learn all these new chords at once. You've just checked out the most common ones, but there are many others out there. You should learn the ones that you need to play the songs you like. Here are a few awesome songs with moving bass lines that you can try:

The Needle And The Damage Done - Neil Young
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton
Mister Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker
Norwegian Wood - The Beatles

🎶 Check out JustinGuitar TABS and get chords, lyrics, and tabs to follow along with my song tutorials!

When Should You Use Slash Chords?

With music, there are rules and theories that you should know, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to what sounds good. So, use slash chords whenever you’d like to. If you like the way a tune sounds with a G/B rather than just a G chord, then play it that way! There are also instances where the slash chords can be easier to change from or into, so take advantage of that too.

Slash chords can add some nuance and texture to your playing. They can make it all sound more interesting for your audience. Sometimes, changing the bass note is key to making a song sound exactly like the recording. Other times, they don’t make much of a difference at all! The secret? To experiment!

Now, let's learn how to play guitar without looking at your hands the whole time!