A chord's name consists ot two parts: The key and the quality.
| The key indicates the chord's root note and the beginning of the associated scale. |
| The environment of intervals in a chord form the quality. It is symbolized by definite letters and numbers. |
There are two different kinds of chords: Fixed chords and movable chords
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If a chord is fixed can be recognized by its name: The name is complete - it includes the chord's key and the chords's quality. Above that the chord always containes open strings. |
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The movable chords contain no open strings, and the key is not indicated in their names. In chord-pages, which show the chords of certain songs, the keys of movable chords are written above the diagram. |
Find a chord with the "fretboard" table
When you call up the "Chords"- Page, you will see a table that represents the fretboard. Here you can choose which string and root note you want for the chord that you chose. Although the chord can basically lie on any layer on any string, I recommend that you try to go as far as possible to the bottom left of the fretboard.
As soon as you have clicked, the appropriate field will be marked and a new table will be displayed, in which you can choose the type of chord. (Not all chord types are always available.)
After you have done this, you will be given a selection of chords. The root notes are highlighted in red; fret numbers were not included.
There are fixed and movable chords: The fixed chords can be recognized firstly by the empty strings they contain and secondly that the chord-type description contains the note-type.
With movable chords, you still have to shift the chords to match the root note you originally chose. The red mark on the fretboard has to lie on the same fret as the root note on the matching string on the chord diagram.
Example: You are looking for Gm7. Click on the 3rd fret of the 6th string (low E string). When the table appears, choose "m7". You will then get 2 movable chords. Both need to be shifted to the 3rd fret. If you click on the 5th fret of the 4th string (D string), you will get a chords that you will have to shift to the 5th fret.
Find a chord with the search engine
Read the "theory help page" for chord abbreviations.
Fixed chords: Type in the root note directly followed by the quality, " am " will find "A minor" chords for example. If you look for a simple major chord, type in the root, a space and then the word "major" to prevent the search engine to find - for example - all the words "a" in the site. If you look for major7 chords just type in a " j " behind the root note, for example " aj " will find an a major7 chord.
Movable chords: Type in an " X " followed by the root note and the quality. You have to shift these chords on the fretboard until they reach the desired root.
Chord categories
| major | Chords containing root(s), major third(s),perfect fifth(s). Other intervals are optional. |
| minor | Chords containing root(s), minor third(s) and a pefect fifth(s). Other intervals are optional. |
| dom.7 | Dominant seventh chords. Major chords, that contain at least one minor seventh. Other intervals are optional. |
| alt: | Dominant seventh chords with further intervals, that do not appear in the Dominant Scale. |
| sus: | Major or dominant seventh chords, in which the major thirds are replaced by the perfect fourths. |
| other: | Various chordtypes, that don't fit into the above mentioned. |
Chord qualities
| (major) | Major chord. Not mentioned in the name. Contains only root(s), major third(s) and perfect fifth(s). |
| m | Minor chord, that contains only root(s), minor third(s) and a pefect fifth(s). |
| 7 | Dominant seventh chord (major chord, that contains a minor seventh). |
| j | Major seventh chord (major chord, that contains a major seventh). Usually written 'maj7', 'j7' |
| alt: | Dominant seventh chord with further notes, that do not appear in the Dominant Scale. |
| sus: | Major chord, in which the major thirds are replaced by the perfect fourths. |
| dim: | Diminished chords containing only root(s), minor third(s), diminished fifth(s) and diminished minor seventh(s) = major sixth(s). |
| (additonal numbers) | They represent intervals, that are added to a chord. See Help/Theory! |
| (number +) #: | The Interval before '#' is raised |
| (number +) b: | The interval before 'b' is lowered |
Legend
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Click into the image to get information about a symbol! Get back to the legend by clicking on one of the icons. |
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| "Abc" | Name of the the chord. It consists of the key ant the type. |
| "5." | Number of the fret (optional) |
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Hold down string |
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Leave this string open |
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Hold down string . Red indicates the root notes of the chord. The root note corresponds to the key. |
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Open string with the root note of the chord |
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Optional hold down string |
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Don't use this string, mute it, or hold it down here |
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Baré: Hold down these strings with one finger |