How to Learn to Read Chords

All aspiring guitar players reach a point where they want to begin learning songs. All songs are comprised of chords, so you must learn to identify and play them to manage a full tune. The most common notation format you will encounter for this purpose is the chord diagram. Once you can read these diagrams, a whole world of music will open for you.

Things You'll Need

  • Guitar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the chord diagram. Study the image closely and make sure you understand its parts. The diagram is a visual representation of the guitar fretboard. Think of it as if you have laid a guitar down on the floor and you are looking at the fretboard from above. These diagrams show you which frets to make chord shapes on, and often which fingers to use as well.

    • 2

      Count the number of frets by starting at the top of the diagram and counting down the fretboard to see which fret the chord starts on. Frets are represented by the space in between the horizontal lines. Diagrams often have a number on the right side that represents the fret number at which the chord form is located.

    • 3

      Look for the dots to determine which strings the chord is played on.

    • 4

      Move your fingers to the spaces represented by the dots on the diagram--one finger per fret/string. If the chord shape is hard for you to make or hold, keep trying it every day. Your fingers should begin to stretch out and adjust to the shape after repeated practice.

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