At the end of a chord name, like A+, it means "augmented" - which usually implies "augmented fifth," or the fifth of the chord raised one-half step. You'll see the symbol "+" used a couple of ways. But you really don't need to remember that - just finger the chord according to the chart below and it's done for you. The symbol "-" can be read as "flat" - thus the chord Bm7-5 (you'll find it a lot in my charts.I love the way it goes to an E7) is stated as "B minor seven flat five." In general, that symbol "-" means to lower the following number by one fret, so a flat-five is the fifth moved down by one fret. Since computer keyboards don't have the "flat" symbol, I use a small "b" to designate "flat" so Bb means "B-flat" rather than "B-B." The "#" symbol means "sharp." The small "m" means "minor" and a large "M" means "Major." The oddball is Fdim(III) itself - it doesn't copy the Fdim formation exactly, but it's similar: 003434. A chord marked Cdim(IV) will be formed as 004545. When you see that, you'll begin theįormation on the fret number that matches the number in the parenthesis. Very rarely, there is an alternate formation used for a couple of these - identified in these charts by a Roman Numeral inside a parenthesis after the chord name, such as Fdim(III). Gdim which is formed as xx2323, and finally, the least common,
Within this convention, I use four primary diminished chord formations and names: If you want to know what the chord actually is, I'd suggest finding a theory book that can explain them - and consult it any time one of my charts has a chord with the letters "dim" in it. The truth is, I don't know what function a given chord serves, and Why use - and have to remember - four different names for one formation, when it's going to sound the same regardless of what function it serves or what you call it? I refer to as Cdim, formed as 001212 on the fretboard, is played exactly the same, whether it is functioning as a Cdim, as an E-flat diminished,īecause it is played the same, and sounds the same, regardless of what function it is serving, I always call that formation the same thing in these charts. Root name for that chord depends on function in the melody. Since they are equally spaced from each other, the actual Here's why: diminishedĬhords (specifically, diminished 7th chords if you want to split hairs)Īre all made up of four tones, each three half-steps apart on the To repeat: my chord names describe chord formations and those chord formations are described below.Īs I mention on the home page of this site, my diminished chordsĪre usually mis-named in all of these charts. Play this string at all." A "0" on a string meansīecause I'm describing specific formations by using specific names, let me add that I already know some of these chord names are not technically correct - especially diminished chords, as described below. The number means only where the string is fretted - I make no suggestions about which finger frets it there.Īn "x" in any string position means "Don't The numbers represent the six strings of a guitar, the one on the left being the lowest tone, theone on the right being the highest. For example, the basic E chord would be described as 022100. Those descriptions indicate which string is fretted, and where. Notes on Transposing to a more convenient keyĪs a preface to everything, let me make this clear: I use chord names to describe specific formations, which are themselves described in detail below. Readers wishing more in-depth information can either scroll down this page, or go directly to: Chords are listed alphabeticallyīy Root.and somewhat arbitrarily within those categories. I have excluded root chords (since most people know them) and also excluded most of the standard dominant seventh chords Listed below, by key, are chords used in these songs.