The reading order
Every chord symbol follows the same order:
Example: F♯m7(♭5)/C = F (F) + ♯ (sharp) + m (minor) + 7 (minor seventh) + (♭5) (diminished fifth) + /C (C in the bass).
1. The letter: the root
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
After the letter you may see # (sharp) or b (flat): F# = F sharp, Bb = B flat. Details in musical notes.
2. The chord type
| Written | Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (nothing) | Major | G = G major |
| m | Minor | Gm = G minor |
| ° or dim | Diminished | G° = G diminished |
| + or aug | Augmented | G+ = G augmented |
| sus4 / sus2 | Suspended (no third) | Gsus4 |
| 5 | Power chord (no third) | G5 |
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Open the free app →3. The sevenths
| Written | Means | Example and notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Minor seventh | A7 = A C♯ E G |
| 7M, maj7, Δ | Major seventh | A7M = A C♯ E G♯ |
| m7 | Minor with minor seventh | Am7 = A C E G |
| m7(♭5), ø | Half-diminished | Am7(♭5) = A C E♭ G |
| °7, dim7 | Diminished seventh | A°7 = A C E♭ G♭ |
| m(7M) | Minor-major seventh | Am(7M) = A C E G♯ |
The full explanation, with sound, is in seventh chords.
4. Extensions and alterations (in parentheses)
| Written | Means |
|---|---|
| (9) or add9 | Adds the ninth (the 2nd an octave up) |
| 7(9) | Seventh + ninth |
| (11), (♯11) | Adds the 11th (perfect or augmented) |
| (13), (♭13) | Adds the 13th |
| 6 | Adds the major sixth |
| (♭5), (♯5) | Alters the fifth |
| (♭9), (♯9) | Altered ninth (common in dominant chords) |
See octave, ninth and extensions to understand each one.
5. The slash: the bass
What comes after the slash is the lowest note. C/E = C chord with E in the bass. D/F# = D with F♯ in the bass. Am/G = A minor with G in the bass.
Sometimes the bass is a note from the chord itself (inversion); sometimes it's a note from outside, creating a walking bass line: C – C/B – Am – Am/G – F.
E in the bass, C E G on top.
Very common between G and Em.
Reading real chord charts
| Chord symbol | How to read it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Em | E minor | E G B |
| B7 | B seventh | B D♯ F♯ A |
| Dm7 | D minor seventh | D F A C |
| F7M | F major seventh | F A C E |
| G7(13) | G with seventh and thirteenth | G B (D) F E |
| Bm7(♭5) | B half-diminished | B D F A |
| Ebº | E flat diminished | E♭ G♭ B𝄫 (A) D𝄫 (C) |
| Cadd9/E | C with added ninth, E in the bass | E | C E G D |
Chords as scale degrees (I, IV, V)
Musicians also write chords by degree (Roman numerals), which works in any key. In C major, I – V – VIm – IV = C – G – Am – F. In G, the same progression is G – D – Em – C. This is explained in diatonic chords.
Chord symbols are not tablature
A chord symbol says which chord plays. The tablature says where to put your fingers, with fret numbers on six lines (the strings). diagram is the drawing of the neck with dots. Dedilhado Vivo shows the diagram and the neck with each finger in color.
Now put the theory into your fingers
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Practice theory in the free appFrequently asked questions
What does the m mean in a chord symbol?
Minor. Am = A minor, Em = E minor.
What does 7M mean?
Major seventh: the major chord plus the note a half step below the octave. C7M = C E G B.
What does the slash mean in a chord symbol, like in C/E?
The note after the slash goes in the bass. C/E is a C chord with E as the lowest note.
What does the ° symbol mean in a chord symbol?
Diminished. In popular music it usually means the diminished seventh: C° = C E♭ G♭ A.