Guitar chords are groups of notes containing at least three distinct pitches. Beginner guitarists learn these chords as one of their first skills on the instrument.
Use the buttons in the top left corner to change both root note and chord type, as well as display fingering diagrams for that chord. Clicking on any circle will display fingering diagrams for that specific chord.
Major chords
Locate and play any chord with ease using this vast guitar chords library. Chords are displayed in different shapes, and can be sorted by root or quality. Each shape represents specific fingering techniques while chord quality is indicated with either a circle or an X; circular signifies strumming while an X indicates not strumming/muting the string.
Once you’ve mastered major triads, power chords may be next on your musical agenda. These chords feature just two notes – usually the root and fifth. Power chords can often be found in blues and rock songs.
Once you’ve mastered major chords, it’s wise to learn minor ones as well. Minors will sound very differently than their major counterparts and are commonly found in songs. With time, you will also become proficient at chord construction – which will enable you to figure out any guitar chord without needing a chart!
Minor chords
The guitar is a multi-timbral instrument, meaning that it can play more than one note at the same time – this distinguishes it from woodwind instruments or single-timbral instruments that only allow for one note at once; this ability creates chords.
Minor chords are an integral component of guitarist repertoire. Consisting of three notes–a root note, minor third and minor fifth–these intervals make up what gives each chord its name but don’t need to be memorized for performance purposes.
Once you’ve mastered minor chords, you can move onto more advanced types of chords: dominant seventh chords. Learning this challenging type requires you to synchronize three fingers at once – something novice musicians find difficult. Furthermore, using enough pressure and without hurting your hands are both key aspects.
Triads
Triads are the foundation of chord theory. Composed of three notes that can be played multiple ways, they allow songwriters to craft melodies that fit any song perfectly and serve as an excellent way of learning the fretboard through flexible shapes that can be broken apart to fit each key.
Learn to create triad shapes quickly using the CAGED system by looking at each shape and finding its constituent triads; remembering that every time you move up or down a fret you move a semitone.
Once you’re familiar with these shapes, try substituting them for chords in familiar songs. Or use them to create arpeggios and single note melodies; you might be amazed how dramatically simple shapes can alter the sound of music! You might just be amazed at just how dramatically they change its sound!
Bass chords
Chords are integral components of music in all genres ranging from rock to jazz and classical, providing the foundation to support melody, instruments, textures and rhythm. Learning chords can open up new possibilities for bass playing while deepening understanding of musical theory.
Bass guitars lack enough room for full chords due to low vibrations that create muddy and dissonant sounds, but can still be used to voice intervals – chords made up of two or more notes that give chords an entirely new sound without overshadowing other instruments in a mix. Intervals provide bassists with an important way of adding distinct notes without overwhelming other instruments in a mix.
The chords library provides a wide selection of guitar shapes and voicings. Every chord can be displayed in several positions on the fretboard by clicking “More”, which also shows variations and inversions for that specific root/type combination.