Chord symbols
Read the chord symbols used in charts and know their variants.
Charts do not write out the notes of a chord. They write a short symbol, and you have to know what is inside it.
Root plus suffix
A chord symbol is the root name followed by a suffix for the chord quality. There is no single standard. These are the most common forms, with this site’s own form first.
| Chord | Site (EN) | Site (IT) | Other forms seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| major | C | Do | CM, Cmaj, CΔ (rarely) |
| minor | Cm | Do m | Cmin, Cmi, C− |
| diminished | C° | Do ° | Cdim |
| augmented | C+ | Do + | Caug, C♯5 |
| suspended 2nd | Csus2 | Do sus2 | — |
| suspended 4th | Csus4 | Do sus4 | Csus |
| power chord | C5 | Do 5 | — |
A plain letter means a major triad. Watch for the Δ sign: some charts use it for major, most use it for major seventh (Module 10). Context decides.
Italian charts
Italian charts traditionally write Do, Do m (or Do-, Dom), Do 7, Do maj7 (or Do 7+). This site uses one style consistently, but you should recognise the others.
A note name alone can mean a note, a chord or a key (lesson 1.1). In a chart, above the music, it is a chord.
Read this progression aloud as chord names, then play the root of each: C – Am – F – G – Em – Dm – G – C.
New terms
Tools
- Chords for Bass: Every common chord type on all 12 roots, as a 5-fret box for 4- and 5-string bass, with spelled notes and formulas.