Let's talk about open mandolin chords. Some of the first chords you learn when playing any stringed instrument are open chords. As their name implies, these chords include open strings, or strings that are not being fretted. Later on, you’ll learn how to barre them, eliminating those open strings that might not fit well into a new key.

These types of chords, typically known as closed or barre chords, all use open chords as their foundation, so it’s important to learn these before attempting anything more complex.