Login

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: How Many Guitar Chords Are There?

PrevNext
How many guitar chords are there?

How Many Guitar Chords Are There?

If you're wondering how many guitar chords exist, the answer is both fascinating and boundless. The number of guitar chords is virtually infinite due to the instrument's versatility and the countless ways musicians can combine notes to create unique sounds.


In traditional music theory, there are commonly known chords like major, minor, diminished, and augmented, forming the foundation for countless variations. However, the exploration doesn't stop there. Musicians constantly innovate, creating new chord voicings, extensions, and alterations to add richness to their compositions.

Moreover, with alternate tunings, capos, and experimental playing techniques, the possibilities become even more extensive. The guitar's six strings and fretboard layout provide a canvas for players to explore and invent new chord shapes and progressions.

To put a numerical estimate on the total number of guitar chords would be a daunting task, as it continues to evolve with each artist's creativity. Instead of focusing on a specific number, embrace the beauty of the guitar's limitless potential. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the journey of discovering and mastering guitar chords is a rewarding adventure that adds depth and flavor to your musical expression.

In conclusion, while we can't provide a definitive count, the sheer diversity and innovation within the world of guitar chords offer a universe of possibilities for musicians to explore and create. So, pick up your guitar, venture into uncharted chord territory, and let your musical creativity flourish!

Watch My Video On Understanding Basic Guitar Theory So You Can Understand & Create Limitless Chords - Yourself!

 

This article was written by Richard Cholerton - Former Student of The Guitar Institute In London, and current Guitar Specialist of 28 years based in Stratford Upon Avon, England.

Richard runs a Youtube channel where you can learn about guitars for sale alongside his business in Stratford Upon Avon where he is available for specialist advice and guidance in all matters relating to guitar advice.

Richards Guitars supports many green projects through the sale of guitars & accessories.  Learn more about these projects by clicking on the graphic below...

Eco Guitars, Eco Guitar Projects, Sustainable Guitars, Buy From Eco Friendly Guitar Shop

 

Written by Richard Cholerton

Leave a comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

All comments are moderated before being published.

Read more

Learning the Basic 12 Bar Blues For Guitar - It's Not As Hard As You Think

Learning the Basic 12 Bar Blues For Guitar - It's Not As Hard As You Think Are you a beginner guitar player looking to expand your repertoire? Look no further! Learning the basic 12 B...

Read more

Legendary Guitarists That Inspired My Generation

From Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix: Exploring the Legendary Guitarists of All Time Do you hear that iconic riff from Layla or the blistering solos of Purple Haze? You can thank legendary guitarists ...

Read more

Guitars You'd be crazy to Ignore...

For me - there is no difference between "personal" and "business" life - It is all "my life". Interconnected and therefore highly personal. Every guitar I sell (EVERY) is one I can tell you the backstory - about the people who make them - the ethos of the brand and how they align with my own - they are a genuine personal recommendations based on 28 years in the industry.

With the industry dominated by marketing, hype, and "blinkered" brand loyalty - retailers focus on what they get asked for - with little effort in raising awareness of guitars that are better than the one you asked about. This leads to a lot of poor buying decisions!

Here is a quick introduction to the brands I often refer to as "my babies" but really you could simply refer to them as "benchmarks". Check the prices - check the specs - check the quality and back story - and find me a brand that does it better - or even close. The fact is you cant buy a bad guitar from Richards Guitars - you will only find the best - set up to your personal requirements.

Art Meets Craft - Artisan - Unique

Hand Made In Slovakia

I have the honour and privilege to be Englands exclusive dealer for Dowina guitars. A completely unique approach to guitar building that blends passion, art and craft producing the most inspiring and wondrous acoustic guitars that represent so much more than the materials they are made from.

Dowina is more than just a guitar - its an experience that you will appreciate and remember for a lifetime.

Buy Dowina Guitars Online

Detail - Clarity-Power-Resonance-Beauty

Furch Changed Everything...

I introduced Furch to to the UK over 20 years ago - with my good friend Keith Twine who has since retired.

At the time I was a leading supplier of brands such as Gibson, Martin & Taylor. Experiencing Furch guitars made me realize there is what you "know" and what you "should know". Just because you DON'T - doesn't mean it doesn't exist!

What does all this mean? Forget what you think you know and open your mind to the possibility that you can find better - and we will guarantee you an experience you will never forget - with help from Furch and my other personal finds from over the decades.

Buy Furch Guitars Online

Inspirational quality, tone & feel at a price you never thought would be possible.

A Benchmark British Brand

With an incredible Back story - A Truly Brtiish yet global brand utilising the shared skills of the Gordon Smith Team in England and a small boutique workshop in China - The result? Unbelievable quality that far surpasses that of recognised mass produced brands at the same price.

Buy Auden Guitars Online

Hand Made - Standard Setting - Affordable

We Were The First UK Dealer for Eastman Guitars...

....and continue to be their largest and most experienced dealer in the UK supplying Eastman guitars throughout Europe.

Originally known for their extraordinary quality, hand made arch tops - produced by violin makers - as their reputation spread they developed into the World of electric and acoustic guitar production which continue to be made by hand.

Eastman have now become a hugely dominant force in the Guitar World producing the "best in class" in any guitar genre they opt to focus on.

Nobody knows them better or can provide you a better experience.

Whether you decide on the showroom experience or buying online you could not be in safer hands.

Buy Eastman Guitars Online
The Truly Great British Guitar Brand. Hand Made In England. Gordon Smith Guitars

The Truly Great British Electric Guitar Brand Since 1974

The Great British Electric Guitar Brand was born just 2 years after me!

I first became entwined with Gordon Smith in 1995 when I began selling guitars. My first experience was on receiving what I later learned to be a Gordon Smith Gypsy.

So powerful an impact that guitar had on me that I kept it and gave it to my Dad. Its the ONLY guitar in 28 years I havent parted with (well - My Dad has it and continues to enjoy it at 82).

The Gordon Smith Legacy rocketed to new heights when Doug Sparkes took over about 10 years ago - taking this great British Electric Guitar brand into new realms not just in terms of value but extreme quality too - making them not just a choice for people who want to support British Guitar Building but for people who want the finest electric guitars too.

Buy Gordon Smith Guitars Online

Quality - Versatility - Innovation

Canadas Finest

I have specialised in Godin guitars since 1995.

Godin have been solving problems for performing acoustic and electric guitar players for over 30 years, producing the most divine instruments which are stylish, of the highest quality whilst serving the practical needs of the modern performing professional

You could say Godin is the antithesis to Gibson! Godins reputation is built largely on the word of mouth of professionals and session musicians who need their instruments to be highly reliable and consistent night after night.

Get one in your hands, and you will soon understand their unique contribution to the evolution of the guitar.

Buy Godin Guitars Online

Perfection

Hand Made In Italy

I have to thank Stuart - Director of UK Distributor Selectron for thinking of me when he made a very special find in the guise of Luigi - A man building what can only be described as playable works of art. An extraordinary man - extraordinary guitars and I can only thank Luigi & Stuart for thinking of me as a perfect fit to help represent Luigis work in the UK.

Buy Valenti Guitars Online

The most comprehensive collection of affordable electric guitars money can buy.

We will help you find The best playing - Affordable electric guitar

I have been promoting Vintage brand guitars since the day they were "born" some 20+ years ago! In this time they have just got better... and better... and better! Not just that but the range has just become EPIC. Something for everyone!!

In the past couple of years ProShop has become one of the mmost exciting UK hand built guitars- using the Vintage range as the building blocks to create wonderful and exciting guitars that would normally cost thousands of pounds.

Buy Vintage Brand Guitars Online