Above many song lyrics you’ll see little letters like C, Am or G7. These are chord symbols. They tell you which chord to play at that point in the song. The best part: they’re the same all over the world, whether you play ukulele, guitar or banjo. Only the chord shape looks different on each instrument.
The capital letter: the root note
The first capital letter is the root note. It gives the chord its name. There are seven letters: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. If the letter stands on its own, like C, it’s a major chord. Major chords usually sound bright and happy.
CSometimes the letter is followed by a # (sharp) or a b (flat). A sharp raises the note by one small step, a flat lowers it by one small step. So F# is a little higher than F, and Bb is a little lower than B.
What comes after the letter
- m means minor: Am is A minor. Minor chords often sound softer, calmer or a little sad.
- 7 means a seventh chord: G7 is G major with one extra note. It sounds as if it wants to move on – usually back home to the main chord.
- m7 is a minor seventh, for example Am7. It sounds soft and a little jazzy.
- maj7 (“major seven”) uses a different, gentler seventh: Fmaj7 sounds dreamy.
- sus4, sus2, dim and aug are less common. When you meet one, just look up the chord shape.
Reading chords in a song
The chord sits right above the syllable where you change to it. Keep playing it until a new chord appears. If nothing is written above a line, simply stay on the last chord.
In the app you’ll find the chord shape for every name. And if you play a chord and don’t know what it’s called, the Chord Detective will tell you.
All chords Open the chord detective