How to Write Guitar Chord Charts

Creating your own guitar chord charts can seem like a daunting task at first, but it’s a skill that can vastly improve your understanding of music theory and enhance your ability to communicate musical ideas. Whether you’re writing original songs or learning covers, crafting a chord chart helps you see the bigger picture of your piece. This guide will walk you through the process, from understanding the basic elements of a chord chart to tips and tricks for making them your own.

Understanding the Basics of Chord Charts

Before diving into the specifics, let’s clarify what a chord chart is. In the simplest terms, a chord chart is a visual representation of the chords used in a song. It typically includes chord symbols (like G, C, Dm), lyrics, and sometimes additional information like strumming patterns or time signatures.

Chord charts are not full sheet music; they don’t show every note or exact timing. Instead, they provide a framework that guides your playing, leaving room for personal interpretation and creativity. This makes them especially handy for genres like metal, where improvisation and personal flair are key.

• Chord Symbols: These indicate the chord you should play. For example, “G” stands for a G major chord.
• Lyrics: If applicable, lyrics are often included, with chord symbols placed above the syllables where the chord changes occur.
• Additional Information: Sometimes you’ll see indications of strumming patterns, time signatures, or special techniques.

With these basics in mind, let’s move on to creating your own chord charts, step by step.

Choosing the Right Software or Tools

In today’s digital age, you have a plethora of tools at your disposal to make chord chart creation easier. While a simple pen and paper can do the trick, software can help streamline the process and provide a cleaner, more professional result.

Here are some popular options you might consider:

• Chordify: A user-friendly tool that helps you create chord charts by uploading audio files. It analyzes the music and suggests chords.
• Guitar Pro: This software is excellent for creating detailed chord charts with tabs and additional musical notation.
• Ultimate Guitar’s Tab Maker: A great online tool for creating and sharing chord charts, complete with interactive features.

Choosing the right tool depends on your comfort level with technology and your specific needs. If you’re writing complex metal riffs, Guitar Pro might be more suitable. But for quick and straightforward charts, Chordify or a simple text editor might do the trick.

Identifying the Chords in a Song

Before you can write a chord chart, you need to identify the chords in the song you’re working on. This process can be done by ear, with the help of software, or by referencing existing charts or tabs.

By Ear: This method involves listening to the song and picking out the chords by ear. It’s a skill that improves with practice, and it can be particularly rewarding. It forces you to engage deeply with the music, enhancing your musical ear.

With Software: Tools like Chordify or even certain apps on your phone can listen to a song and suggest chords. While not always 100% accurate, they can provide a good starting point.

Referencing Existing Materials: If you’re covering a well-known song, chances are there’s already a chord chart or tab available online. Use these as a reference, but don’t be afraid to make adjustments to fit your style or correct any inaccuracies.

Structuring Your Chord Chart

Once you’ve identified the chords, it’s time to structure your chord chart. Here’s a basic template you can follow:

• Title: Start with the song title at the top.
• Artist: Include the artist’s name below the title.
• Chords: List all chords used in the song at the top of your chart. This acts as a legend for reference.
• Verse/Chorus/Bridge Labels: Clearly label each section of the song. This helps in navigating the song structure.
• Lyrics and Chords: Place chord symbols above the corresponding lyrics. This alignment helps you know when to change chords as you sing or play along.

Keep your chart clean and easy to read. Too much clutter can make it difficult to follow during a performance or practice session.

Incorporating Strumming Patterns and Techniques

A good chord chart doesn’t just tell you which chords to play—it also hints at how to play them. Including strumming patterns or specific techniques can be a game-changer, especially in metal genres where picking styles and rhythms vary widely.

For instance, if a song involves a common down-up strumming pattern, you might write “D-U-D-U” next to the chord. For more complex metal techniques like palm muting or tremolo picking, include brief notes like “PM” for palm mute or “TP” for tremolo pick.

If you’re new to these techniques, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the best modern metal guitarists, focusing on rhythm techniques that are often overlooked in traditional lessons.

Using Repeats and Symbols for Efficiency

When you’re writing chord charts, efficiency is key. You want to make sure your chart isn’t cluttered, yet it should convey all necessary information. This is where repeats and symbols come into play.

• Repeat Symbols: Instead of rewriting the same sequence of chords for a repeated section, use repeat signs (||: :||) to indicate that the section should be played again.
• Coda and Segno: These symbols are used to navigate through a song. “D.S. al coda” or “D.C. al fine” help in jumping to different parts of the song, making the chart more concise.

Using these symbols can save space and make your chart easier to follow, especially during live performances or quick practice sessions.

Adding Personal Touches to Your Chord Charts

Once you have the basic structure down, don’t be afraid to add your personal touches. Maybe you prefer a different voicing for a chord, or perhaps you like to add a pinch harmonic here and there. These variations can make your chart not only more accurate to your style but also more enjoyable to play.

For example, if you’re playing a G chord but prefer the sound of a G7 in certain parts, make a note of it. If a particular riff or lick needs emphasis, jot down a reminder to give it extra attention.

Remember, your chord chart is a tool meant to serve you. Make it as personal and useful as you need it to be.

Testing Your Chord Chart in Practice

Now that you’ve crafted your chord chart, it’s time to put it to the test. Play through the song using your chart and see how it feels. Are there any awkward transitions? Do any sections feel unclear?

This is also a great opportunity to play with others. Sharing your chord chart with a bandmate or friend can help spot any inconsistencies or areas for improvement. Plus, playing with others often uncovers new interpretations and ideas that can enhance the song.

At Riffhard, we encourage collaboration and feedback through our community of modern metal guitarists. It’s a fantastic way to get fresh perspectives and refine your craft.

Sharing and Collaborating with Others

One of the beauties of music is sharing it with others. Whether you’re jamming with friends or playing with a band, sharing your chord chart can facilitate better communication and collaboration.

Consider digitizing your chord chart if you haven’t already. This makes it easier to share and edit as needed. Platforms like Google Docs or Dropbox allow you to share documents with others, making collaboration seamless.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of musical growth, and using your chord charts as a tool for this can lead to exciting new musical discoveries.

Final Thoughts

Creating guitar chord charts is an invaluable skill for any guitarist, offering a clearer understanding of song structure and providing a tool for collaboration. By following these steps, you’ll find yourself not only improving your music theory knowledge but also enhancing your ability to communicate musical ideas. At Riffhard, we offer resources and a community that supports your journey in modern metal guitar, helping you refine your skills and share your music with confidence.