Printable How to Read Chord Diagrams
Chord diagrams are the language of guitar songbooks. This sheet takes one chord (C major) and labels every part of the diagram, shows the same chord as tab, then explains the trickier diagrams: barre chords and shapes higher up the neck.
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What’s inside
- A fully labeled C chord diagram
- The same chord written as tab
- How to read barres and fret numbers like "5fr"
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
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
Which side of a chord diagram is the low E string?
The left side, on standard right-handed diagrams. Imagine the guitar standing up in front of you, facing you: the thickest string is on the left.
What does "3fr" next to a chord diagram mean?
The top line of the diagram is not the nut but fret 3. Put the shape with its top row at the third fret.
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.
Free for classroom use. Linking to this page keeps your students on the latest version.
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