How many guitar chords are there?

You may be just starting out or experienced in playing guitar, but we know one thing: you are not done with guitar chords. As a guitar player, chords are one thing that will always come up while you play guitar.

As you know, Guitar chords are the building blocks of music that creates the harmonic foundation for songs and melodies. You may be frustrated by learning new chords everyday, and you may be asking yourself that how many guitar chords are there?

As we calculated, there are practically 1180 chords. A straightforward count gives us around 180 basic and extended chords, which can practically expand to over 1000 variations when considering different positions and inversions. Keep patience, as we will discuss it next sections.

However, for now, the answer is both simple and complex. Simple because, in theory, the number of basic chords is finite, complex because the variations and possibilities are practically endless.

So now, we will explore this fascinating subject by breaking it down the various types of chords, their constructions, and discuss why the number of possible chords can seem so vast. Let’s start with the basic chords-

Basic Chords: The Starting Point

For beginners, guitar chords start with a set of basic chords. These are the open chords, named for the use of open strings (strings played without pressing down any frets). The most common open chords include:

• Major: C, A, G, E, D
• Minor: Am, Dm, Em
• Dominant Seventh: A7, E7, D7, G7, C7

These chords are foundational and are often the first ones new guitarists learn. They form the basis of many popular songs and are essential for developing muscle memory and finger strength.

Barre Chords: Expanding the Basics

Once you’ve mastered open chords, the next step is learning barre chords. Barre chords are moveable shapes that can be played anywhere on the neck. The most common barre chord shapes are derived from the E and A open chords. For example, moving an E major shape up the neck with a barre across all six strings creates an F major chord. Barre chords effectively increase the number of chords you can play by allowing you to shift shapes up and down the neck to produce different pitches.

Understanding Chord Construction

To grasp how many chords exist, it’s essential at first to understand how chords are constructed. Chords are built from scales, typically consisting of three or more notes:

• Triads: These are three-note chords made up of the root, third, and fifth notes of a scale. Major (e.g., C, E, G) and minor (e.g., A, C, E) triads are the most common.
• Sevenths: Adding a seventh note to a triad gives you a seventh chord. There are several types, including major seventh (e.g., Cmaj7: C, E, G, B), minor seventh (e.g., Am7: A, C, E, G), and dominant seventh (e.g., G7: G, B, D, F).
• Extended Chords: These include ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths, which add even more notes from the scale. For example, a C9 chord includes C, E, G, Bb, and D.

Variations and Voicings

Beyond the basic forms, chords can be played in different positions and voicings. Voicings refer to the specific order and spacing of notes in a chord. For instance, a C major chord can be played in various positions across the fretboard, each offering a different tonal quality.

Inversions

Chord inversions are another way to vary chords. Inversions occur when the notes of a chord are rearranged so that different notes are in the bass (the lowest note). For example, a C major chord (C, E, G) can be inverted to have E or G as the lowest note, leading to different inversions:

• Root position: C (root), E, G
• First inversion: E (third), G, C
• Second inversion: G (fifth), C, E

Each inversion gives the chord a distinct sound, even though the chord name remains the same.

Alternative Tunings

The number of chords can further multiply when you consider alternative tunings. Standard tuning (EADGBE) is primary way to tune a guitar.

However, Drop D, DADGAD, open G, and countless other tunings provide unique voicings and chord shapes that aren’t possible in standard tuning. Hence, know that each tuning will open up new possibilities and can inspire different musical ideas.

Theoretical Chord Possibilities

From a theoretical standpoint, the number of possible chords on a guitar can be immense. If you consider all the possible combinations of notes, voicings, positions, and tunings, the number can be overwhelming. Each scale degree can be altered (sharp, flat), and each chord can have variations such as suspended chords (sus2, sus4), augmented chords, diminished chords, add chords (like add9), and many more.

Even within a single chord type, the variations are numerous. For example, a C major chord can be played in dozens of ways across the neck, each with slight tonal differences. So, the chord possibilities are endless. But don’t worry, in the next section, we have broke down the chords so that you can know how many chords can be played. Check it out-

Guitar chords Breakdown

The question of how many guitar chords exist can be approached in a straightforward way by considering the basic types of chords and their variations. Here’s a breakdown to provide a more concrete number:

Note: There are altogether 12 notes in music. They are-

let’s take C Major for Example ( C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B).

The music theory is beyond the scope of this blog, so if you want to know how these notes buildup, check out the music theory.

Basic Chord Types

1. Major Chords: 12 (one for each note in the chromatic scale)
2. Minor Chords: 12
3. Dominant Seventh Chords: 12
4. Major Seventh Chords: 12
5. Minor Seventh Chords: 12

So far, we have: 12 (Major) + 12 (Minor) + 12 (Dominant Seventh) + 12 (Major Seventh) + 12 (Minor Seventh) = 60 basic chords.

Extended and Altered Chords

6. Minor 7 Flat 5 Chords: 12
7. Diminished Chords: 12
8. Augmented Chords: 12
9. Suspended 2 (sus2) Chords: 12
10. Suspended 4 (sus4) Chords: 12
11. Ninth Chords (Major, Minor, Dominant): 36 (12 each)
12. Eleventh Chords: 12
13. Thirteenth Chords: 12

Adding these: 12 (Minor 7 Flat 5) + 12 (Diminished) + 12 (Augmented) + 12 (sus2) + 12 (sus4) + 36 (Ninth) + 12 (Eleventh) + 12 (Thirteenth) = 120 extended/altered chords.

Total Basic and Extended/Altered Chords

Combining the two groups: 60 (basic chords) + 120 (extended/altered chords) = 180 chords.

Inversions and Voicings

Each of these chords can be played in multiple inversions and voicings across the fretboard. If we consider three common inversions per chord (root position, first inversion, and second inversion), and at least two to three different voicings per inversion, the number of practical chords can multiply significantly.

Alternative Tunings and Variations

Hence, different tunings and variations can expand the number even further, but to keep it straightforward:

• Standard Tuning Basic and Extended Chords: Approximately 180
• Inversions and Voicings: If each chord has roughly 6 common variations (considering inversions and voicings), this brings us to approximately 1080 variations (180 x 6).

Practical Use

Despite the theoretical vastness, the practical number of chords used in everyday music is more manageable. Most songs use a relatively small selection of chords. It often sticks to major, minor, and seventh chords. Many popular songs are built on simple progressions like the I-IV-V or ii-V-I.

However, this doesn’t mean more complex chords aren’t used. However, a small chord progression will do for the majority of pop, rock, country, and folk genres.

Learning and Mastery

Therefore, for guitarists, the key is to balance learning new chords with mastering the ones you know. Start with basic open chords, then move to barre chords and common seventh chords. From there, you can explore extended chords, alternative tunings, and inversions.

Practicing chord transitions, building muscle memory, and understanding how chords fit within the context of a song are crucial. So, start taking help of chord charts and guitar tabs. It can really help visualize finger placement and understand different voicings.

Conclusion – How Many Guitar Chords are There?

While theoretically, the number of guitar chords can seem infinite due to different tunings and nuanced variations. However, in standard tuning, if we focus on the main chord types and their inversions/voicings, a straightforward count gives us around 180 basic and extended chords. Moreover, it can practically expand to over 1000 variations when considering different positions and inversions. So, eventually it makes total of 1180 chords in a guitar.

Hence, the question “How many guitar chords are there?” doesn’t have a straightforward answer. If we limit ourselves to basic chords, the number is finite and manageable. However, when we factor in variations, voicings, inversions, and alternative tunings, the possibilities become nearly endless.

By considering such things, know that the journey of a guitarist involves continuously discovering and experimenting with new chords, finding unique sounds, and expanding one’s musical vocabulary.

Ultimately, the number of chords available on a guitar is as vast as your willingness to explore and experiment. Whether you are a beginner sticking to the basics or an advanced player diving into complex jazz harmonies, the guitar offers a world of harmonic possibilities waiting to be discovered. So embrace the journey, and Keep Practicing! See you soon!