Find an online guitar chord database that includes major, minor, diminished and augmented chords in all keys (see Resources).
Start with major key chords and notate several variations of each chord within the key. Indicate finger placement on the lines that represent the guitar's strings by drawing circles on the frets where you will place your fingers; write the number of the finger used inside the circle. Many guitar players leave out finger numbers, but this can be important for beginners. Starting with your index finger, fingers are numbered one through four.
Mark strings on the chord chart that are muted with an X. Any string played open (no fingers on a fret) should be marked with an O at the top of the chord diagram. Indicate bar chords with a thick line across all frets.
Write the starting fret number next to the chord diagram if a chord begins anywhere above the fifth fret on the guitar neck. If your diagram doesn't include a fret number indication, the frets are considered one through five.
Write the name of the chord above each diagram. For instance, C major or C major seventh. You can also notate in shorthand, as in C maj or C maj 7th. However you label the chords, keep the style consistent on each chart. Repeat this procedure for all of the 12 major musical keys, starting with C. The chord categories will look like this: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A# and B. Include major, minor, augmented and diminished chords.