Article: How Many Guitar Chords Are There?

Dec 27, 2023

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...

Written by Richard Cholerton

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Guitar Tuition

The First Guitar "Chord" To Learn. Be Inspired!

I figured there will always be someone - somewhere - picking up their guitar for the first time and inevitably the question will be "What chord do I learn first?" So I put some time into thinking...

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.

My "Personal Collection"

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

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

Hand Made In Ukraine

Valiant Guitars

Breathtaking guitars made by men who continue their passion literally in a war zone.

The human story is inspiring but no less than the impeccable, meticulous qualitywith an enormous dash of the secret ingredient so many guitars can never find - MOJO!

View Our Valiant Guitars

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

Hand Made Ultimate Luxury Leather Guitar Straps

You will see so many marketing stories and false claims of hand made guitar straps in the UK - often with a massive premium price tag added.

TRUST ME - THESE ARE...

The finest hand made leather guitar straps money can buy

Hand made in Walsall using traditional tooling methods by own of the UKs greatest horse sadlers.

Memory foam insert ensures premium comfort - These straps will last you a lifetime.

Learn More

One of the best purchases I have ever made. I was helped from start to finish helping me choose the right guitar then setting up and delivering. The guitar made me a beginner sound good. Thanks

Dream Guitar and a Well Deserved 5 Stars.

Just picked up my beautiful new Kremona Sofia ST-C classical guitar from Richards Guitars in Stratford upon Avon.

What a sensational instrument!

Great build quality and materials, and a sublime sound. I can’t believe how these instruments can be sold for such a competitive price. It plays beautifully after being set up by Richard’s team.

A personal thank you to Jon for his advice, guidance and sharing is detailed product knowledge.

A happy customer and a great purchasing experience.

Very good guitar

Son très rond, bon sustain, j’adore, ma meilleure OM

First Class In Every Respect.

I sought advice about purchasing a guitar of excellent quality at a reasonable price for my daughter to learn on.
Jon and Jake are trusted advisers in all matters of guitar. They guided me through options with patience and sagacity but without any pressure. This took time as I wanted to get it right.
I chose this Eastman PCH model.
I chose to have it delivered for convenience sake and at an extremely low price.
The guitar arrive safe and sound, and set up to absolute perfection.
It is a beautiful guitar. Way beyond my high expectations.
The set up makes a huge difference and the quality control at RGuitars is very stringent.
A wonderful experience from start to finish.
RGuitars are themselves first class and the Eastman will make my daughters first class joyous!
Thank you.

What an absolute stunner!

Eastman's Juliet felt "right" from the moment I picked it up. It arrived perfectly set up from Richards Guitars - and still in tune(!) despite changes of temperature and being bounced around by the courier. It's just about my ideal electric guitar - so comfortable and accurate to play, with beautifully articulate pickups and a very stable Bigsby to add subtle shimmers. It has a totally unique vibe all of its own which I really like, and yet it feels like a guitar that I've played for years and is a trusted go-to instrument.

My dream fulfilled

I wanted this guitar for 18 months before I ordered it. It’s not super-expensive but getting it to Australia really jacks up the cost. It was absolutely worth it though! I’ve already recorded my new single with the guitar. It’s great!

Lava me4

I am satisfaid, strings are a bit higher.. Otherwise is really nice and pleasent sound.. Need time to get use to strings...

Puts a smile on my face!

My second guitar from Richards Guitars and I couldn’t be more delighted. I wanted a good quality guitar for everyday gigging. My trusty Yamaha APX500iiEW is a great workhorse but lacked the tone I wanted.
My Auden Chester Neo 45 is too good to be used on the road. The LAG T70 ACE fitted the bill perfectly. The clarity and brightness of sound from the spruce top is just what I wanted at an affordable price. The staff at Richards Guitars know their stuff and never try to “up-sell” they just want you to get the guitar that is perfect for your needs and budget. Many thanks to Jon and Jake.

Richards Guitars Service is Impeccable

I am extremely happy with my Danelectro DC59, Richards Guitars really do pay attention to detail regarding the setup of the instrument. The guitar arrived well packaged and was really well set up to the point where it was a joy to play. I will definitely be using Richards Guitars for future purchases, it really is worth the wait to receive a guitar that has been given the care and attention it needs before being shipped out.

The overall buying experience was much better than I had experienced from many of the faceless box shifters that dominate the U.K guitar marketplace.

I cant thank Richard and his team enough for such an amazing instrument and the Danelectro DC59 is no exception it resonates beautifully and I was also impressed with the decent build quality.

The Danelectro DC59 is a phenomenal guitar at this price point. Richards Guitars unique service and pre-shipping set up is the icing on the cake.

Thank you ever so much for a very special instrument that feels so good to play and will be treasured going forward.

Thank you SO much. I am so grateful that you have shared this experience and allowed us to share it with future customers.

We strive so hard to ensure you get the experince you detail and so glad its worked out so well for you.

Feel free to make use of the 6 and 12 month check and reset too, if you are in the area :)

Thanks again

Richard

Discreet, hight fidelity and idiot proof

Richard and his staff fitted this amp for me in a Furch GN2 and it works like a breeze. What really surprised me is how true the sound behind the amp sounds. I recorded and couldn't tell what was recorded behind the amp and without it. Incredible

So pleased you love it - I have spent my life in retail trying to distinguish which products suit my ear - and then I have to hope our customers agree. I suppose its no coincidence that the brands I love tend to focus on Fishman and LR Baggs - as their prefered pickup systems :) Thank you for the review.

How Many Guitar Chords Are There?

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

Read more

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