Chord charts are the reason sites full of chords and tabs are among the most visited music websites on the internet. Once you can read one, you can learn almost any song.
Reading a chord chart
- Vertical lines are the six strings. The thickest, lowest string (low E) is on the left.
- Horizontal lines are the frets. The thick line at the top is the nut.
- Dots show where to press. Numbers on or under them say which finger: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger.
- O above a string means play it open. X means don't play it.
- A number like 5fr next to the diagram means the chart starts at the 5th fret.
The first eight chords to learn
These open chords appear in a huge number of pop, rock and folk songs:
| Chord | Why learn it |
|---|---|
| E minor (Em) | The easiest: two fingers |
| A minor (Am) | Pairs with Em and C |
| C major (C) | Core of the key of C |
| G major (G) | Core of the key of G |
| D major (D) | Completes the G-C-D family |
| E major (E) | Common in rock and blues |
| A major (A) | Common in rock and blues |
| D minor (Dm) | Adds a sad colour to the key of C |
A simple practice plan
- Practise switching between two chords for one minute at a time, for example Em to G.
- Use our free online metronome at a slow tempo, such as 60 BPM, changing chord every four beats.
- When the switch is clean, speed up by 5 BPM.
- Combine G, C, D and Em: those four chords alone cover a lot of popular songs.
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