Chord Finder
Identify chords by the notes you hear or play
Select the Notes You Hear
Choose Notes
Click notes to add them to your chord. Order doesn't matter.
Root Note (Optional)
Specifying a root note can narrow results but may exclude some possibilities.
Chord Matches
Select at least 2 notes to identify chords
Most chords require 3 or more notes for proper identification
How to Use
Click on the notes you hear in the chord
Optionally specify the root note (lowest note)
View chord matches ranked by confidence
Try removing root note if no matches found
Chord Qualities
Tips
Listen for the bass note to identify the root
Most chords need 3+ notes for identification
Order of notes doesn't matter - only which notes are present
Try playing suspected chords to verify
How to Identify Chords
Listening Techniques
- •Start by identifying the bass note (usually the root)
- •Listen for the overall mood: happy (major) or sad (minor)
- •Notice if the chord creates tension (7ths, diminished)
- •Pay attention to the highest notes for extensions
Common Patterns
Popular music often uses predictable chord progressions. Familiarizing yourself with common patterns like I-V-vi-IV can help you anticipate what chords might come next.
Chord Types by Mood
Happy/Bright
Major, Major 7th, Add9, Major 6th
Sad/Dark
Minor, Minor 7th, Minor 6th
Tense/Unstable
Diminished, Augmented, Half-diminished
Jazzy/Complex
9th, 11th, 13th, Altered dominants
Building Your Ear
Practice Daily
Spend 10-15 minutes daily identifying chords in songs you know. Start with simple progressions.
Use Instruments
Play suspected chords on piano or guitar to verify your ear training and internalize the sounds.
Learn Progressions
Study common chord progressions in different genres to understand musical context and patterns.