How to Make a Chord Sheet

Chords charts show where the fingers are palced to play a note.

For anybody learning to play the guitar it is important to memorize all of the major chords and chord progressions. There are a number of ways this can be done, but to keep a permanent record they can be referred to at any time. Making chord sheets is not difficult, but all the required information must be noted on each diagram to ensure the chord is played correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Draw out a 5-by-5 grid on a piece of paper. A lined piece of paper is best, as the lines can be used to represent the frets of the guitar. The horizontal lines are the frets, the vertical lines the strings.

2. Make the top line bold if the chord is being played from the nut of the guitar; if not, make a note on the left hand side what the top fret is.

3. Fill in a black mark on each of the strings at the appropriate fret for the chord the diagram is to represent.

4. Indicate at the top of the diagram above each string how the nonfingered strings are being played. These are the strings that are not held down to make the chord. Mark an X above the strings which are muted and a O above those played open.

5. Write the name of the chord above each diagram. Repeat all steps for other chord diagrams.

Tips & Warnings

• To show a barre chord covering four or more strings, have a single arced line across the strings on that fret.

• Make a sheet full of blank chord charts and either photocopy or print off as required so they are always available.

References

• Chordie: Printable Guitar Chord Chart