Chords
A chord is at least three notes played at the same time. Here are the 96 chords that cover the vast majority of songs: 8 chord types in all 12 keys, each with its positions, its tab and its sound.
Reading a chord diagram
The vertical lines are the strings (low E on the left), the numbered dots show your fingers, × means “don’t play this string” and ○ means “play it open.” All the details are on the How to read a chord diagram page. Click a diagram to hear it.
How a chord is built
It all starts with one note, the root, which gives the chord its name. Other notes are added at specific distances from it: the intervals. On the guitar, one fret equals one half step.
Each chord page gives the chord’s formula (see Intervals). For example, “1, 3, 5” for a major chord: the root, the major third (4 half steps up) and the fifth (7 half steps). A ♭ lowers an interval by a half step: “♭3” is the minor third.
Where to start
Learn the major and minor chords in open position first, near the nut: they’re the ones in the course. Then come seventh chords, and then barre chords, which let you play any chord anywhere on the neck.
Families
Major chords
The basic chord of Western music. Three notes, a stable and bright sound: most pop and folk songs revolve around three or four major chords.
Minor chords
The counterpart of the major chord, with just one note changed. A darker, more intimate sound: it’s what gives a song its melancholy color.
Seventh chords
A major chord with a fourth note added, the minor seventh. It creates tension that pulls toward the next chord: it’s the engine of the blues.
Major 7 chords
A major chord with a major seventh added, just a half step below the octave. A soft, dreamy sound, used a lot in jazz, bossa nova and pop.
Minor 7 chords
A minor chord with the minor seventh added. Softer and more open than a plain minor chord, it’s everywhere in soul, funk and jazz.
Sus2 chords
A chord with no third: the second takes its place. Neither major nor minor, it sounds open and airy, and is mostly used to add color to a major chord.
Sus4 chords
A chord with no third, where the fourth takes its place. The fourth creates a little tension that wants to fall back to the major chord.
Power chords
Two notes, the root and the fifth, often with the root doubled an octave up. Neither major nor minor, the power chord sounds huge with distortion: it’s the backbone of rock riffs.
Find a chord
One row per root note, one column per chord type. Click a symbol to open its page. Chord taught in the course.