Skip to content

Chord Dashboard

Your online guide to beginner chords - the building blocks of music.

Chord Dashboard

Already know a few chords?

Use the search tool below to see what songs you can play.

Search Songs by Chord

Add your chords to the search bar below.

Type chords here or import from My Library

Instrument
Filters

Important: The ability to add your own chords allows you to create a list of songs tailored to your skill level. Enter familiar chords, and every song will be an easy one (by definition). You can also use genre and decade filters to target music you actually want to play.

You’ll Become Addicted to Playing Again

(GUARANTEED)

Learn how to overcome the biggest hurdle(s) holding you back.

Boredom

Tired of playing the same songs?

How to Fix
Take the chords to that tune and run a search. You’ll see tons of music you could be playing instead.

For example, here's a Sample List of Classic Rock songs with G, C, D, Em.

Plug in your own chords, genres, and decades, and you'll NEVER be bored again.

It's impossible.

Better still, you'll pick up your instrument more often - and hold onto it a little longer every time.

And that's the secret to improving - i.e. time spent with your craft.

Frustration

My progress is slow and painful.

How to Fix
When you're frustrated, it means you're trying to play music you're not ready for yet.

Here's a better approach:

  • Run a search of all the chords you're comfortable with. You'll see a massive list of songs that use those exact chords.
  • This list represents your comfort zone. But it's only a starting place. You'll eventually grow tired of those songs and be ready for slightly harder music.
  • When you're ready to "improve," try adding a Wildcard to the chords you already know. You'll see a huge collection of songs that are just outside your comfort zone. Every tune is literally one chord away.

If you can establish a baseline and add just one more chord (and then another) - you'll NEVER be frustrated again.

Motivation

Playing just isn't fun any more.

How to Fix
In the beginning you wanted to play. Now you feel like you should play.

Music has become a chore. And it no longer brings you joy.

The secret lies in finding that Goldilocks Zone of music that rewards and challenges you.

When you have instant access to hundreds (if not thousands) of songs that all use chords you know, you won't be able to put your instrument down.

And when you add a Wildcard, you'll see thousands of songs that are well within your reach.

Follow this simple formula, and you'll become addicted to playing again - guaranteed.

Knowledge

I don't know enough chords yet.

How to Fix
You need at least 3 chords to run a search. And with those chords, you can do a LOT of damage.

For example, here are sample lists of 3-chord songs with G,C,D and A,D,E and C,F,G and DGA.

If you don't know any chords yet, start here. You'll see easy tunes with 1, 2, and 3 chords (for your instrument). And you'll be playing music in no time.

Once you know 3 (or more chords), come back here and run a search.

Confusion

I don't know what to do next.

How to Fix
That's easy to fix.

Add whatever chords you know to the search tool above. You'll see a huge list of songs with those exact chords.

Start there and enjoy yourself.

Then, ask for the Next Best Chord and run a new search.

You'll see even more amazing songs - all of which are 1 chord outside your comfort zone.

Rinse and repeat.

To see what that looks like, here are INTERACTIVE examples for Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, and Banjo.

Injury

It really hurts when I play.

How to Fix
Callouses on the fingertips are normal. And your arm will get tired from strumming all day. But if you start to feel muscle or nerve pain - STOP.

Never play through pain.

In fact, using my site will only make things worse (the whole point of the Chord Genome Project is to get you addicted to your instrument).

It sounds like reverse psychology, but it isn't. I absolutely want your money and would love for you to stay onboard for a long time. But that won't happen if you're sitting on the sidelines (temporarily or permanently) nursing an injury.

Rest. Recover. Then come back.

Keeping reading if you don't know any chords yet.

Table of Contents

If you know how to read chord diagrams on guitar, ukulele, banjo, or mandolin, use the links below to quickly learn new chords (and the songs they appear in).

Chords By
Instrument

Chords by
Family

Chords by
Progression

Chords by
Songs

By Instrument

Learn the most important beginner chords for your chosen instrument.

By Family

Click any button below to see beginner chords across the 4 major families.

Major Chords
(e.g. A)
Minor Chords
(e.g. Am)
Dominant 7th
(e.g. A7)
Minor 7th
(e.g. Am7)

By Progression

See easy songs that use these common chord progressions.

I-IV-V (Popular Kid)

I-IV-V (12-Bar Blues)

ii-V-I (Jazz Cat)

I-V-vi-IV (Sensitive One)

I-V-vi-iii-IV (Pachelbel's Canon)

vi-V-IV-III (Andalusian Cadence)

By Songs

The best way to learn chords is in the context of songs. So start with:

When you can play 3 or more chords, you’re ready to start finding your own easy songs.

Push Yourself

Want to improve fast?
The tools below are designed to push you (but not too hard). 

The Next
Best Chord

Learn this chord next. It has the highest ROI.

Learn More

Wildcard
Searches

See a list of songs that are just beyond reach.

Learn More

Search by
Progression

Search any set of chords (in all 12 keys).

Learn More

Force the
Last Chord

Use this to crack really tough chords.

Learn More

Extra Resources

Here are some additional resources to guide you along the music path. Be sure to bookmark these for later.

Chord Diagrams

Beginner Songs

Search Songs by Chord
Search Songs by Chords