Printable Chord Formulas Chart
Every chord is built from a formula of scale degrees. Major is 1-3-5; minor is 1-♭3-5; a dominant 7th adds ♭7. Once you know the formulas you can work out any chord on any root, and chord names stop being mysterious.
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What’s inside
- 16 chord types from power chords to 9ths
- The formula and symbol for each
- Notes spelled out in C and in G
- A one-line description of the sound
How to use it
- Print it and keep it with your practice notes.
- Read one section at a time and try each idea on the guitar straight away.
- Use it as a quick reference whenever you learn a new song.
Learn it step by step, free
Fretwork turns sheets like this into short daily lessons with audio, a play-along and a quick check for every skill. Stages 0 and 1 are free.
Questions
How do I work out the notes of a chord?
Write out the major scale of the root, then take the degrees in the formula. For C7 (1-3-5-♭7): C major scale is C D E F G A B, so C E G and B♭.
What does the small number in a chord name mean?
It names an added note: 7, 9, 11 and 13 are scale degrees above the root. sus2 and sus4 replace the third with the 2nd or 4th.
Is this printable really free?
Yes. Enter your first name and email once and every Fretwork printable unlocks on your device. There is nothing to pay and no card needed.
Can I share it with students or friends?
Yes, for personal and classroom use. Please share the link to this page rather than the PDF file, so everyone gets the latest version.
Keep learning
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