How to Play the Chord Quiz

Our chord quiz game is designed to help you memorize chord shapes through timed recognition practice. Here’s how it works:

Choosing a Category

Start by selecting a chord category from the main screen. Each category groups related chords together — from the 4 Basic Chords every beginner should know, to advanced Barre Chords for intermediate players. Categories are labeled by difficulty (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) so you can pick the right level.

Learning New Chords

Before the timed quiz starts, you’ll see each chord in the category one by one. Each chord is displayed as a visual diagram showing exactly where to place your fingers. Take a moment to study each shape before tapping to continue.

The Timed Quiz

Once you’ve seen all the chords, the quiz begins with a countdown timer. A chord diagram appears on screen and you must tap the correct chord name from the options below. Correct answers add to your score and build your combo streak. Wrong answers break your combo. When the timer hits zero, the round ends and you see your final score.

Why Learn Guitar Chords?

Chords are the foundation of guitar playing. Whether you want to strum along to your favorite songs, write your own music, or accompany a singer, knowing chords is essential.

• Play songs quickly — Most popular songs use just 3–5 chords. Learning the basic open chords lets you play hundreds of songs.
• Understand music theory — Chords teach you about harmony, intervals, and how notes work together to create different moods and feelings.
• Build finger strength — Practicing chord shapes develops the hand strength and dexterity needed for more advanced techniques.
• Improve your ear — Recognizing chord sounds helps you learn songs by ear and become a more versatile musician.

Pair your chord practice with our free online guitar tuner to make sure your guitar is perfectly in tune, and use our free online metronome to practice chord changes in time.

Understanding Chord Types

Our quiz covers several categories of chords, each with a different sound and character:

Open Chords

Open chords use a mix of fretted notes and open strings. They’re the first chords most guitarists learn because they’re relatively easy to play and sound full and resonant. Common open chords include G, C, D, E, Em, Am, and A.

Power Chords

Power chords use just two or three notes (the root and the fifth). They’re the backbone of rock, punk, and metal music. Because they contain no major or minor third, they sound neutral and powerful — hence the name.

7th Chords

Seventh chords add a fourth note (the seventh degree of the scale) to a basic triad. They create a richer, more complex sound used extensively in blues, jazz, and funk. Common types include dominant 7th (G7, A7), major 7th, and minor 7th chords.

Barre Chords

Barre chords require you to press one finger across all six strings while forming a chord shape with the remaining fingers. They’re moveable — the same shape can be slid up and down the neck to play any key. Mastering barre chords unlocks the entire fretboard.

How to Read Chord Diagrams

Chord diagrams are a visual representation of the guitar fretboard. Here’s how to read them:

• Vertical lines represent the 6 strings, from low E (thickest) on the left to high E (thinnest) on the right.
• Horizontal lines represent the frets. The thick line at the top is the nut (the top of the guitar neck).
• Dots show where to place your fingers. The number inside (if shown) indicates which finger to use.
• “o” above a string means play that string open (unfretted).
• “x” above a string means don’t play that string (mute it).
• A bar across strings indicates a barre — lay your finger flat across those strings.

Practice Tips for Beginners

1. Start with Just 2–3 Chords

Don’t try to learn everything at once. Start with G, D, and Em — these three chords alone let you play dozens of songs.

2. Practice Chord Transitions

The hardest part isn’t forming the chord — it’s switching between chords smoothly. Practice moving between two chords slowly, then gradually increase speed.

3. Use a Metronome

Set a metronome to a slow tempo (60–80 BPM) and practice changing chords on each beat. This builds the muscle memory you need for real songs.

4. Check Each String

After forming a chord, pick each string individually to make sure every note rings clearly. If any string buzzes or sounds muted, adjust your finger position.

5. Play the Quiz Daily

Use our chord quiz for just 5 minutes a day to reinforce your visual recognition of chord shapes. Speed and accuracy will improve naturally over time.