Enter chords to see their triad shapes mapped across the top three string sets. Standard tuning (EADGBE).
What is a triad, and why play them?
A triad is the simplest chord: just three notes, the root (R), the third (3) and the fifth (5). Every major and minor chord is built from these three notes. A full open chord just repeats some of them on more strings.
Why they're worth learning:
Small shapes. Three strings, three fingers, so they're quick to grab and quick to change.
Stay in one spot. Every chord has a triad shape in every area of the neck, so you can play a whole progression without moving your hand far. That's what Play in one zone shows.
Learn the neck. You start to see where the root, third and fifth of any chord sit, all the way up the fretboard.
A clean sound. Triads leave room for the bass, the singer and other guitars, which makes them great for a second guitar part, fills and riffs.
Inversions are the same three notes in a different order. Root position has the root on the lowest string, 1st inversion has the third lowest, and 2nd inversion has the fifth lowest.
Add a chord
Quick add:
Format: G for major, Am for minor. Sharps: F#. Flats: Bb.
Selected chords — tap to toggle visibility
View
One shape per chord, all in the same area of the neck, played in order.
Zone
Start the first chord at
String sets
Display options
Add a chord above to see its triad shapes on the fretboard.
Each color is one chord. Each outlined group of three dots is one playable triad shape. R = root, 3 = third, 5 = fifth. Use the string set toggles above to focus on specific areas of the fretboard.
One shape per chord, picked so your hand moves as little as possible from chord to chord. Tap a chord to see its shape on the fretboard; the others stay faint so you can see where your fingers go next. Change the starting spot to play the same progression in another zone. R = root, 3 = third, 5 = fifth.