Guides · Short answers
Guitar theory guides
One question per guide, answered in the first lines, with examples you can play.
How to use the circle of fifths on guitar
How to use the circle of fifths on guitar: find the chords in any key, build progressions that work, find the relative minor and change key smoothly.
How to transpose chords to another key
How to transpose chords to another key: turn the chords into numbers, play the same numbers in the new key, or use a capo. With worked examples.
How to find the key of a song
How to find the key of a song on guitar: list its chords, find the key that holds them all, then listen for the chord that sounds like home.
What is a relative minor? How to find one
A relative minor is the minor key with the same notes and key signature as a major key. How to find it on the guitar neck, with every pair listed.
Why chords in a key are major or minor
Why the chords in a key are major, minor or diminished: they are stacked from the scale's own notes. The pattern for every major and minor key.
Why I–V–vi–IV works: the four-chord song
The I–V–vi–IV progression behind countless pop songs: the chords in every common guitar key, why it works, and the versions that start elsewhere.
Key signatures and the order of sharps and flats
How to read a key signature: the order of sharps and flats, the quick way to name the key from them, and every major and minor key by signature.
Roman numeral chords and Nashville numbers
How Roman numeral chord notation works: upper case for major, lower case for minor, ° for diminished, and how the Nashville number system writes the same.
How to play barre chords
How to play barre chords on guitar: the E and A shapes, how to find any chord on the neck, and the hand position that makes F and Bm ring cleanly.
How to read guitar chord diagrams
How to read guitar chord diagrams: strings and frets, dots, x and o, barres and fret numbers, and how a diagram turns into the six numbers of tab.
How chords are built
How chords are built from scales: stacking 3rds into major, minor, diminished and augmented triads, then 7th, sus, 6th and add9 chords, with examples.
How to use the minor pentatonic scale
How to use the minor pentatonic scale on guitar: its five notes, box 1, what to play it over, and simple ways to make it sound like music.
Capo chart: what key am I playing in?
A capo chart for guitar: which key the open C, A, G, E and D shapes play in at every capo position, and how to choose a capo fret for any song.