1,000 + CHORDS FOR THE GUITAR

DON COMANDA

FOREWORD

Following are over one thousand chords. For the most part, the chords are those which may be
fingered easily, with the more difficult chords being avoided.
Both elementary, advanced, and altered chords are covered. Each chord is shown in three
different positions, giving you a choice of formations (voicings).
Do not be confused by similarly fingered chords with different names. This is due to the
harmonic structure of each chord which can only be understood by a knowledge of the theory of
chord construction.
Some progressions and a method for transposing (changing keys) is included.
The progressions will familiarize you with some of the ways chords are used in songs.
The transposing chart will enable you to change the key of a song when necessary. (Changing
a key becomes necessary when a song is out of range, too high, or too low for your voice.)
This book is designed specifically for chords. Those desiring to learn to pick single string
melodies may do so by acquiring the book: For The Guitar—A Way Of Learning by Don Comanda.

Copyright © 1996, Don Comanda, 1197B Rockland Ave Staten Island, NY 10314-7700
International Copyright Secured Made in U.S.A. All Rights Reserved
Published by Royal Fireworks Press, PO Box 399, 41 First Avenue, Unionville, NY 10988-0399
(845) 726-4444 fax: (845) 726-3824 email: mail@rfwp.com website: rfwp.com
ISBN: 978-0-88092-990-5
Printed and bound in Unionville, New York, on acid-free paper
using vegetable-based inks at the Royal Fireworks facility.
 CONTENTS

Foreword...................................................................................................................1
Signs and Symbols, Abbreviations (Explanations)............................... This Page (2)
Index of Chords.....................................................................................................3, 4
Chord Symbols, (Explanations)................................................................................5
Tuning.......................................................................................................................6
Holding the Guitar and Pick.....................................................................................7
Chord Diagram, (Explanation)..................................................................................8
Chord Progressions in the Key of C.................................................................45, 46
Transposing.............................................................................................................47
Transposing Chart...................................................................................................48

EXPLANATION OF SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

(ABBREVIATIONS)

b = Flat (Also indicated by a hyphen - )

# = Sharp
+ = Augmented
m or mi = Minor
maj or ma or M = Major
o = Diminished (Also indicated by dim) Co7 or C dim.7 = C
diminished 7
Sus. = Suspend (Suspension)
Indicates finger used is to be placed flat as shown across two or
more strings. (A barre) Strings not marked are not played.
x = Strings marked x are made mute by either one of your fingers or
part of the hand fingering the chord.
C7 + b9 would be read: C seven augmented (fifth) flat nine.
D7 sus 4 would be read: D seven suspend four.
 3

FOR THE GUITAR - A WAY OF LEARNING

INDEX

Eb c hords
c C~- D~ D Eb may also
be calle d D# E F
c 9 c#-D b 12 D 15 E b 18 E 21 F 24
Cm C~m-Dbm Dm Ebm Em Fm
C+ C #+-Db + D+ Eb+ E+ F+
C6 C#6-Db6 06 Eb6 E6 F6
Cm6 C#m6-Dbm6 Dm6 Ebm6 Em6 Fm6
cmaj7 C#maj7-Dbmaj7 Dmaj7 Ebmaj7 Emaj 7 Fm aj7
C7 C#7-Db7 07 E b7 E7 F7
Cm7 C#m7-Dbm7 Dm7 E bm7 Em7 Fm7
C7+ C#7+-Db7+ 07+ Eb7+ E7+ F7+
C07 (CO) 9 C#07-Db07 12 007 (DO) 15 £b07 (EbO) 18 £07 (EO) 21 F07 (F 0 ) 24
Cmaj9 lO C#maj9-Dbmaj9 13 Dmja9 16 Ebmaj9 19 Emaj9 22 Fmaj9 25
C9/6 C#9/6-D b9/6 09/6 E b9/6 E9/6 F9/6
C9 C#9-Db9 09 Eb9 E9 F9
Cm9 C#m9-Dbm9 Dm9 Ebm9 Em9 Fm9
Cll(C7sus4) C#ll-Dbll Dll Ebll Ell Fll
C#7sus4-Db7sus4 D7sus4 Ebsus4 E7sus4 F7sus4
Cmll (Cm 7 sus4) Cmll (Cm7sus4) Dmll (Dm7sus4) Ebmll(Ebm7 Emll(Em7 Fmll(Fm7
sus4) sus4) sus4)
Cl3 C#13-D bl3 01 3 Eb13 El3 F13
C7/6 C#7/6-Db7/6 07/ 6 Eb7/ 6 E7/ 6 F7/6
C7b5 C#7b5-Db7b5 D7b5 Eb7b5 E7b5 F7b5
C7b9 C#7b9-Db7b9 D7b9 Eb7b9 E7 b9 F7b9
C7#9 10 C#7#9-Db7#9 13 07#9 16 Eb7#9 19 E7#9 22 F7#9 25
C7b5b9 11 C#7b5b9-Db7b5b9 14 D7b5b9 17 Eb7b5b9 20 E7bsb9 23 F7b5b9 26
C7+b9 C#7+ b9-Db7+b9 D7+b9 Eb7+b9 E7+b9 F7+b9
C7+#9 C#7+#9-Db7+#9 07+#9 Eb7+#9 E7+#9 F7+#9
Cm7b5 C#m7b5-Dbm7b5 Dm7b5 Ebm7b5 Em7b5 Fm7b5
C9b5 C#9b5-Db9b5 D9b5 Eb9b5 E9bs F9bs
C9+ C#9+-Db9+ 09+ Eb9+ E9+ F9+
C+ll C#+ll-Db+ll D+ll Eb+ll E+ll F+ll
C13b9 C#13b9-D b13b9 Dl3b9 Eb13b9 E13b9 F13b9
C13bs C#13b5-Db13b5 D13b5 Eb13b5 E13b5 F13bs
b9 b9 b9 b9 b9 b9 b9
CmMaj7 11 C#mMaj7- 14 DmMaj7 17 EbmMaj7 20 . .mMaj7 23 FmMaj7 26
DbmMaj7
 4
FOR THE GUITAR - A WAY OF LEARNING

INDEX (continued)

B~ B ~ c ho rds m a y a lso B
A IPAb chords may also A chc)[ ds m ay a lso
F#- G~ G be ca lied G# A be called A# be ca li ed C ~

F#-Gb 27 G 30 Ab 33 A 36 Bb 39 B 12
F#m-Gbm Gm Abm Am B bm Bm
F#+-Gb+ G+ A~+ A+ Bb+ B+
F#6-Gb6 G6 Ab6 A6 Bb6 B6
F#m6-Gbm6 Gm6 Abm6 Am6 Bbm6 Bm 6
F#maj7-Gbmaj7 Gmaj7 Abmaj7 Amaj7 Bbmaj7 Bm aj7
F#7-Gb7 G7 Ab7 A7 Bb7 B7
F#m7-Gbm7 Gm7 Abm7 Am7 Bbm7 Bm7
F#7+-Gb7+ G7+ Ab7+ A7+ B b7+ B7+
F#07-Gb07 27 G07(GO) 30 Ab07(AbO) 33 A07(AO) 36 Bb07(BbO) 39 B07(BO) 42
F#maj9-Gbmaj9 28 Gmaj9 31 Abmaj9 34 Amaj9 37 Bbmaj9 40 Bmaj9 43
F#9/6-Gb9/6 G9/6 Ab9/6 A9/6 B b9/ 6 B9/6
F#9-Gb9 G9 Ab9 A9 Bb9 B9
F#m9-Gbm9 Gm9 Abm9 Am9 B bm9 Bm9
F#ll-Gbll Gll Abll All Bbll Bll
F#7sus4-Gb7sus4 G7sus4 Ab7sus4 A7sus4 Bb7sus4 B7sus4
F#mll-Gbmll Gmll Abmll Amll Bbmll Bmll
F~m7sus4- Gm7sus4 Abm7sus4 Am7sus4 Bbm7sus4 Bm7sus4
Gbm7sus4
F#13-Gb13 G13 Ab13 A13 Bb13 B13
F#7/6-Gb7/6 G7/6 Ab7/6 A7/6 B b7/6 B7 /6
F#7b5-Gb7b5 G7b5 Ab7b5 A7b5 B b7b5 B7b5
F#7b9-Gb7b9 G7b9 Ab7b9 A7b9 B b7b9 B7b9
F#7#9-Gb7#9 28 G7#9 31 Ab7#9 34 A7#9 37 Bb7#9 40 B7#9 43
F#7b5b9- 29 G7b5b9 32 Ab7b5b9 35 A 7b5b9 38 Bb7 b5b9 41 B7b5b9 44
Gb7b5b9
F#7+b9-Gb7+b9 G7+b9 Ab7+b9 A74 9 Bb7+b9 B7+b9
F#7+#9-Gb7+#9 G7+#9 Ab7+#9 A7+~9 Bb7+#9 B7+#9
F#m7b5-Gbm7b5 Gm7b5 Abm7b5 Am7b5 Bbm7b5 Bm7b5
F#9b5-Gb9b5 G9b5 Ab9b5 A9b5 Bb9b5 B9b5
F#9+-Gb9+ G9+ Ab9+ A9+ Bb9+ B9+
F#+ll-Gb+ll G+ll Ab+ll A+ll Bb+ll B+ll
F#13b9-Gb13b9 G13b9 Abl3b9 A13b9 Bb13b9 B13b9
F#13b5-Gb13b5 G13b5 Ab13b5 Al3b5 Bb13b5 B13b5
b9 b9 b9 b9 b9 b9 b9
F#mMaj7 - 29 GmMaj7 32 AbmMaj7 35 AmMaj7 38 B bmMaj7 41 BmMaj7 44
GbmMaj7
 5

EXPLANATION OF CHORD SYMBOLS

C, A~. B~. G etc. are major chords (Cmajor)

Cm, G~m, Om, Fm, etc. are minor chords (C minor)
G+, F+, 0~+5, B+, etc. are augmented chords (G augmented fifth)
F6, A~6, G6, F#6, etc. are major sixth chords (A flat major sixth)
Gm6, Om6, B~m6, E~m6, etc. are minor sixth chords (G minor sixth)
A~maj7, Omaj7, C lmaj7, Amaj7, etc. are major seventh chords (0 major seventh)
8~7. 0~7, B7, G7 etc. are dominant seventh chords (B flat dominant seventh)
C7/6, A~7/6, G7/6, F#7/6 etc. are dominant seventh chords (C dominant seventh add 6)
with an added sixth
Am7, Gm7, E~m7, G~m7 etc. are minor seventh chords (G flat minor seventh)
F7+, A~7+, 07+5, G7+5 etc. are seven augmented (0 seven augmented fifth)
fifth chords
co1, A0 7, F#07, B ~ 07 etc. are diminished seventh chords ( F sharp diminished seventh)
A~maj9, Omaj9, F#maj9, O~maj9 etc. are major ninth chords ( 0 flat major ninth)
09/6, G ~9/6, B9/6, C#9/6 etc. are major sixth chords with (C sharp six-nine)(C sharp nine-six)
an added ninth
F9, 09, B~9, F#9 etc. are dominant ninth chords (F dominant ninth)
Cm9, A~m9 Gm9, Fm9 etc. are minor ninth chords (G minor ninth)
All, Gil, C#ll, B ~ll etc. are dominant eleventh chords ( B flat dominant eleventh)
A7sus4, G7sus4, Cl7sus4, B ~ 7sus4 etc. are dominant seventh chords (B flat seven suspend four)
with a suspended fourth
Amll, O~mll, F#mll, Cmll etc. are minor eleventh chords (0 flat minor eleventh)
Am7sus4, O~m7sus4, F#m7sus4, Cm7sus4 etc. are minor seventh suspended (F sharp minor seventh suspend four)
fourth chords
013, E~13, A13, B ~13 etc. are dominant thirteenth chords (E flat dominant thirteenth)
B~7~5, G7t.5, 07~5, C#HS etc. are dominant seventh flatted (G dominant seven flat five)
fifth chords
C7~9, C#7~9, B~7~9, E7~9 etc. are dominant seventh flat (B flat dominant seven flat nine)
nine chords
A7#9, B7l9, E~7-9, F#7#9 etc. are dominant seventh sharp (A dominant seven sharp nine)
nine chords
0~7~5~9,A7~5~9. C#7~5~9, Cj7~5~9 etc. are dominant seventh flat five (0 fiat dominant seven flat five flat nine)
flat nine chords
G7+~9, C7+"9, Fl7+~9, etc. are dominant seventh augmented (G dominant seven augmented fifth flat nine)
fifth flat nine chords
A7+#9, E~7+#9, 07+#9, etc. are dominant seventh augmented (A dominant seven augmented fifth sharp nine)
fifth sharp nine chords
Cm7~5, Gm7-5, A~m7~5. etc. are minor seventh flat five chords (C minor seven flat five)
09~5, A~9~5, C#9~5, etc. are dominant ninth flat five chords (0 dominant nine flat five)

G~9+, A9+, F#9+, etc. are dominant ninth augmented (G flat nine augmented fifth)
fifth chords
A+ll, F#+ll, 0 +11, etc. are (dominant) augmented eleventh (A augmented eleven)
chords
G13~9, A~l3~9, Bl3~9, etc. are dominant thirteenth flat (G dominant thirteen flat nine)
nine chords
8~13~5 013~5 C#13~5 etc. are dominant thirteenth flat five (B flat thirteen flat five flat nine)
~9 ~9 ~9 flat nine chords
CmMaj7, F#mMaj7, GmMaj7 etc. are minor chords with an added (C minor Major seventh)
major seventh
 6

TUNING

There are a number of ways to tune the guitar. One is with a pitchpipe, which can be
acqui.red through your teacher or at a local music store. Blow the pitchpipe one note at a time ,
until each string is the same in sound to the corresponding note on the pitchpipe.

The note highest in pitch is tuned to the first string (E). The
second highest in pitch (B), is tuned t.o the second string. Continue
this way, G to the third string, D to the fourth string, A to the fifth
string, and finally the lowest in pitch (E) to the sixth string.

still another method is explained below.

Tune first string to a clear medium high pitch. Then:

Place your finger in the 5th fret of the second string. strike the second string. Then
the first. Both should sound the same. If not, raise or lower the second string accordingly.

Place your finger in the 4th fret of the 3rd string. It should sound like the second.
(If not, adjust 3rd string.)

Place your finger in the 5th fret of the 4th string. It should sound like the third.
(If not, adjust 4th string.)

Place your finger in the 5th fret of the 5th string. It should sound like the fourth.
(If not, adjust 5th string.)

Place your finger in the 5th fret of the 6th string. It should sound like the fifth.
(If not, adjust 6th string.)

\
FRETS 1.
J
'1
~

STRINGS
 7

The guitar is held in position either on the left or the right leg, whichever is more
adaptable to the student, or how the teacher suggests. The hand which will finger the notes is bent
at the wrist to allow for maximwn range in fingering.

THE PICK (PLECTRUM) FINGERS ARE NUMBERED:

3 2

The pick is held with the thwnb and index

finger. The index finger is bent a little less than

half-way and the pick is placed on the side of the

finger. Close thwnb over the pick to asswne position

shown below. "Glide," do not push pick when playing.

8

THE CHORD DIAGRAM

Unmarked strings o = open string (string is played

are not played. with no fingers on it).

~
FINGERS
3 2 0 1 0

1 4

Black Dots show

2 positions in which
fingers are placed.

FRETS 3
'
4

6 5 4 3 2 1
STRINGS

Finger marked is placed String(s) marked x are made

flat covering strings marked. mute by one ~f the fingers,
or part of the hand fingering

! the chord.

0 -,
I 1 1

~
3
t

'
' ' j' j'

NOTE: Unmarked strings, (which are not played), may also be made mute, (as explained for strings marked x).
This will allow complete freedom for the hand strumming the chords.
 9

c-------. Cm
3 2 0 I 0 2 3 .t I 3 2
--.
I I 1 0 2 4 3 4 2 I
..--...
3 1 1 1
~ 8 j~ -~ • 8
' 9 •
-

9
' j
'
-~ -
0
I
• • 10
'II '
j -·
~ 2
~ -
' 12

C+ (C+5) -------. C6
......-.....
3

,
I
j
2

-
0
4
5
6
"

~
2

~ 4
3 1
4 9
0
I
3

~
2

•
1

'
1

. 0 2

j
0 1
.~
0 2

4
3

•
1

'
"
4
5
6
3 3

4
3 3

7 2 ' 7
8 13 8

Cm6 (Cmi6) - - - - - , Cmaj7

0 1 0 2 2 3 I 4 1 -
3 3 3 3 2 0 0 0 1 3 2 4
.' -·
' ·~ 4
5
•I' 7
' , ~ 4
3
4
-~ 5 ~

•'
6
-· 98
• j 4
6 5 7
7 10 6
4 4

8 '
8 11 7 9

C7 ---------..
32.tl0

•
3 1 4 1

' ' 65
-
1 1 1 3 1
,- '
3 1 4
.Cm7 (Cmi7)
2 3 1 "
6
3
....-.......
3 3 3

•
3
4
4~ 7
j 4~

- ~
4
5 ., ' , 4~
7
8
-
5
6 ' 8
' 6
7 9 ' 4

7 9 8 10

C7+ (C7+5) --.....,

1 2
....-.......
I 1 2 3 1 " 2 il 3 132.t 231.t 1 3 2 "
~
., ~ -~
•
4, 5
6
, ~
j
j

4,
dl

'7 '
5
6 -
7
8
-~
4

-
' 7
8 8
' ' 9
10
- 9 9 11

o =diminished
10

Cmaj9----......., C9/6
2 1 .t 3 z 3 1 4 2 3 1 .t 1 --- - 1 3 3 2 1
..--..
1 3 1
----------
3 1 1
4 ~~ 8 ~ 5 ~ ~ 4
~,
~~ ~ill 4
5 '
~·
' dll 9 6
~
~
• 6
7
10
II
• ill 4 ~ ~ill

8
7 4

8 I2 9

C9-----.. Cm9
2 1 3 4 2 3 1 4 1 3 2 .t 2 1 3 4 1 3 2 4 4
• 8
~·
3 ~ 7 ~ 6 ~ 41' 4 4

~
~

~ ~
4
5 .~ , 4
8
9
4 ~

4 ••
7
8 t
~

•
9
IO ~

6 10 9 11
7 II 10 12

01 (C7 sus 4) I Cmll (Cm7 sus 4)

2 X 3

~
..

~
1

5
6
4
-
1123
4
4,
8
9
...-.......
1311

• 4,
--...
1 3 1 1
4,

,
4t • 3
4
5
.--
1112
~
t
6
7
2314

• 4t
~

7
8
IO
11
' 6
8
9
l

9 12 7 10

03 C7b5 (C7-5)
1 3
.--...
3 4
5
4
...-....
1
~
1 1
4 8
...-......
1 2 3 1
dll
2 4 1
4
3
4
1
. 4t
2 3 4
9
-
1 2 1

•
4

4 6 9 ~~ ill ~ 5 4ill c ~
~~ 4~
~~ 7 10 6 I
"
~ ~

8 • 1I 7 2
~ 9 I2 8 3
C7/6 May also be
called C7/o
J

2 1 3 -- 1
5
C7~9
1324
~
•
(C7-9) - - - - .

9
2314 2134
7
213-t
~
C7#9

8
1 2
4
-- 4
1 .t

8 ~ill
~· 1I
~ ~ 6 4 10 4 ~
9 4

• 7
8 I2
~ ~
• ~· 4~
9
IO
IO
II
9 13 II I2
 11

C7b5b9 (C7-5-9)-- C7+~9

..--.... ----..
2 I 3 1 1

4 ~~ ·~
., ., 9
1 2 1 4 1

4, • r
1 3 2

, 4' •
4

5
2 3 1 4

• 8 , ------
1 3 3 3

• •
•
' 5
6 4,
10
II
6
7 '' ~
IO
9
•' •'
7 I2 8 i II
8 I3 9 12

C7+#9----.. . . . Cm7~5
1 2 3 .. ---
1 2 1 .. -• 4'
1 3 1 2 1 3 2 4
(Cm7-5)
2 3 1 4

., • ., • • •• •
6i+ • ., 8 4
., , 3 7
7 4 8
' 8 ••
9
IO • 5
~
9
•, 4, 9 II •• 6 IO
IO I2 7 II

C9~5 (C9-5) - - - - . C9+ (C9+5)

1 3 4 2 3 2 1 4 2 3 1 4 1 2 3 4 2 4 1 3

3
·~ 7 • 5 • 7 l-----1f----4-+--+~
• • 4 4 8 • • 6
·~ • 8 ~----~·----+----+--<
4 • 5 4 4 9 • 4
• 7 • 9 1---1---l----+-+----l
6 10 •" • 8 10 1----1---l--+--+---l
7 II 9 I I l-.-1-.....1---'----1..-l

1 3

,
.. 2 1 -, .,
C+n - - - - - - ,
2 1 4 2

.,
4 1 3
C13b9
4 2 -••
1
(C13-9)
1 1 2 4 3

• ., .,
4'
3
4
4 7
8 , 5
6 •
8
9 ,
• • 5 •• 9 • 7 IO
'
6 IO 8 4 11
7 II • 9 I2

03 t~
Cm+7)
(C13-5-9) ------. CmMaj7 ( Cm#7
CmM7 -....
...........
23144 .. 3 2 t l 2213
, .. 3 1 0 0 1 4 2 3 3 2 1 1

s
., . , ~~

' '
~
~
6 ,, •• 4 8
9
.;

~ " .~ 9
4

4' •• IO
'' ~
7
8 4
IO
II
I2
' II ~
t
~
I2
I '
9
'
12

C# or D~ -------. C#m or D~m

3
----...
1 2 1 2 3 4 I 3 2 il 2 I 3 0 3

I
4 2 I 3 I - I I
4
, ''
4 ~ ~ 9 • 4 .~ 4 9
5 IO • • •• 5 I IO
~ 6
7
, 4
• II
I2
4' 6
7 ••: II
12
4

8 I3 8 I 13

C#-t- or Db+ - - -.. . . . C#6 or D~6

(C#+5) (D~+5)
" 2 3 1 " 2 3 1 3 2 ll 2 3 1 4 3
--------..
3 3 3 2 3 I 4
~ 5
•IO 4• • 5
, 0
, ·"
, •• •II 6
7
8 ' '
•• II
I2
I3
4'
•• , . ,
6
7
8
~ ~ II t I
~

9 I4 9 4

C#m6 or D~m6 ----. C#maj7 or Dbmaj7

1 3 2 "
(C#mi6)
2 3
(D~mi6)
I
, 4 I 3 - 3 3 I 3 2 4
, .,
1.......---1 " 4 3 2 1

'• 4 5
6 jl)
8
9
• till
4 4!. 6
7
, 4 8
9
II
4 411' 4 5 ••
7 10 6
' ' 8
"IIIO 411
8
9
II
I2
7
8
9
10 I2 '
C#7 or D~7 - - - - C#m7 or Dbm7

3 2 4 1
4
3 1 -
, •6 4 I -• •
1
4~
I 1 3 I - 3 I
(C#mi7)
4
5
.•
2
(D~mi7)

,
1 "
7
3
- 3 3 3

4.
,
4
• 5
6
7
8
II
7
4

IO
8
9
• 4

4. •
~·
6
7
8
9
• 09
8

I
• • ' .
C#7+ or D~7+ - - -
(C#7+5) (D~7+5)
...----...
1 2 I 1 2 3 1 "
6
2 1
4
- I
4'
3 1 3 2 4
6
2 3 1
4
"
8
1
4'
3 2
I
"

4,
'' ·' 4
;
til 7
8
I

' ., I
7
8
;

,
"
9
0 ' I

I
" jl)
10
9
10
9
2