How to Read a Chord Sheet

A chord sheet is the fastest way to learn a song. It shows the lyrics with the chord names written above the words, so you know exactly when to change chords. This guide explains everything you will find on a chord sheet on Ultimate Chords and on most other songbooks.

Chords go above the lyrics

Each chord name is written directly above the syllable where the chord change happens. When you sing or say that syllable, switch to the new chord. You keep playing the same chord until the next chord name appears.

    G              D
I walked along the river
    Em             C
And watched the morning light

Section names

Songs are split into parts written in brackets. Knowing them helps you see the structure of the song and find your place quickly.

[Intro] – the instrumental opening, often the same chords as the verse or chorus.
[Verse] – tells the story; the melody repeats with new lyrics each time.
[Pre-Chorus] – a short build-up that leads into the chorus.
[Chorus] – the main hook, usually repeated with the same lyrics.
[Bridge] – a contrasting part, often played only once.
[Outro] – the ending of the song.

How to read chord names

A chord name always starts with its root note (A to G), sometimes followed by a sharp (#) or flat (b). Everything after the root describes the type of chord.

C – a plain letter is a major chord.
Am – a small m means minor.
G7 – a 7 adds the dominant seventh, a bluesy note that wants to resolve.
Cmaj7 – maj7 adds the major seventh, a softer, dreamy sound.
Dsus4 / Dsus2 – the third is replaced by the fourth or the second.
Cadd9 – the ninth (the second, one octave up) is added to the chord.
D/F# – a slash chord: play D, but with F# as the lowest note.
E5 – a power chord with only the root and the fifth, common in rock.

Repeat signs and other symbols

x2 or (2x) after a line or section means play it twice.
A chord followed by dashes or dots (G - - -) means let it ring or keep strumming it for that many beats.
N.C. means no chord: stop playing for that moment.
Capo 2 at the top means put a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written.

Practical tips

Before playing, scan the whole sheet and practise every chord shape you don't know yet. Click any chord on a song page to see its diagram.
Listen to the original recording once while following the sheet to hear where the chord changes fall.
Start slowly with one strum per chord change, then add a strumming pattern when the changes feel easy.
If the song is too high or too low for your voice, use transpose to move it to a better key.