Chords path

Chord Fluency

Understand chord quality, harmonic function, and practical chord movement on the guitar.

What you'll be able to do

You can explain why chords sound the way they do, hear common functions, and play smaller, cleaner rhythm parts with intention.

Who this path is for

Players who know chord shapes but want them to make sense.

How each session works

1. Try the challenge first
2. Learn why it's hard
3. Focused drill
4. Quick recall
5. Same challenge again
6. Checkpoint

Sessions

How you'll get there

Back to all paths

Foundation

Build the core skill

Unit 1Foundation13 minRecommended firstFree account

Hear and explain the difference between major and minor

Understand the 1-3-5 formula behind the most important chord qualities.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play E major and E minor back to back, then A major and A minor. Listen for what changes each time the 3rd moves.

You can explain why major and minor sound different.

You can hear the role of the 3rd in a basic chord.

Unit 2Foundation11 minFree account

Explain why one note can flip a chord from major to minor

Go deeper on the note that defines chord quality and ambiguity.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a power chord, then turn it into a major chord, then a minor chord on the same root. If you know one simple barre shape, try the same major-to-minor change there too.

You understand why the 3rd matters so much.

You can explain why power chords feel harmonically open.

Unit 3Foundation13 minFree account

See your open chords as one harmonic family, not a collection of shapes

Understand why the open chords you already know always appear together.

Create free account

Opening challenge

In the key of G, play I-IV-V-vi as G-C-D-Em. Then play the same function in C as C-F-G-Am. Say the Roman numerals as you go. On the first pass, stop after each chord and name its job before continuing.

You can name the harmonic function (I, IV, V, vi) of the main open chords in at least one key.

You understand why those chords always appear together.

Unit 4Foundation14 minFree account

Know which chords belong to a key and why

Use major-key harmony as a practical song-learning shortcut.

Create free account

Opening challenge

In G major, play I-IV-V and then I-V-vi-IV. Say the Roman numerals as you play.

You know the major-key triad pattern.

You can connect Roman numerals to familiar progressions.

Unit 5Foundation12 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Recognize the progression families that appear in most songs

Understand a few harmonic templates that show up constantly.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play one common progression in two keys. Start with I-IV-V or I-V-vi-IV. Focus on hearing the same function, not just copying chord names.

You can name at least two progression families.

You understand that progressions are movable systems.

Development

Strengthen and connect it

Unit 6Development14 minTrack: C · 95 BPMFree account

Comp a progression with compact triads instead of full open shapes

Use smaller chord fragments to make harmony easier to move and hear.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play I-IV-V with compact triads on the top strings instead of full open-position chords.

You can describe why triads matter beyond beginner chord shapes.

You can play a simple progression with compact harmony.

Unit 7Development13 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Move a progression smoothly by changing which chord tone is on top

Use inversions to make chord movement sound more connected.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a short progression twice: first with basic shapes, then with inversions that keep the top note movement smoother. On the second pass, watch just the highest note and try to move it by the smallest amount possible.

You understand what an inversion changes and what it does not.

You can hear smoother chord motion when you use inversions.

Unit 8Development13 minTrack: C · 48 BPMFree account

Recognize when a chord wants to be richer than a plain triad

Use 7th chords as functional sounds instead of decorative symbols.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Replace plain triads in a short progression with simple 7th-chord versions and listen to how the groove changes. Start with just one swap, then try the whole progression.

You can describe the basic role of major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7.

You are hearing chord color as function, not only decoration.

Unit 9Development12 minFree account

Pick the right chord color when you want open, tense, or neutral

Use sus, add, and power-chord sounds as intentional choices.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Take one simple progression and play it once with plain chords, then again with a power-chord version of one chord. If you already know a suspended or added-note version, try that too and listen for how the color changes.

You can hear the difference between color choices in chords.

You know when a chord is leaving space versus stating a clear quality.

Application

Use it in real playing

Unit 10Application13 minFree account

Follow a number chart without translating every chord too slowly

Use functional harmony quickly enough to support real-time playing.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Take a simple 1-5-6-4 chart and comp it in one key, then move it to a new key without stopping the groove. Start with two guitar-friendly keys like G and A before trying a less familiar one.

You can follow a simple number chart without freezing on every symbol.

Harmony knowledge is starting to make you more adaptable in real playing situations.

Unit 11Application13 minFree account

Move a progression to a new key without losing the function

Use function to transpose instead of memorizing new song-specific shapes.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play I-IV-V in G, then move the same progression to A and C while keeping the groove steady.

You can move a simple progression without relearning it from zero.

You understand function strongly enough to use it on the instrument.

Unit 12Application14 minFree account

Play the same progression in open chords, barre chords, and triads

See the full range of guitar implementations for one harmonic idea.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Choose a key you know well. Play one pass of I-IV-V-vi as open chords, one as barre chords, and one as compact triads. Keep the rhythm identical each time so the texture change is the only big difference.

You can play the same progression in open, barre, and triad form.

You can describe what each implementation does differently and when you would choose it.

Unit 13Application13 minFree account

Choose the right chord size for what the song actually needs

Decide between full shapes, triads, power chords, and color chords based on the musical situation.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Pick a song you know and play through it once using mostly full shapes. Then play it again choosing the chord size that fits best for each section. On the second pass, change only one thing at a time: first try triads, then power chords, then one color chord.

You can identify which chord size fits a musical situation before you play.

Chord choice is becoming an arrangement decision, not just a shape recall.

Unit 14Application14 minFree account

Make chord changes sound connected instead of jumpy

Treat harmony as moving voices, not separate blocks.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a short progression twice: first with big chord jumps, then with smoother voice leading. Listen for which version sounds more connected.

You can hear and create smoother chord movement.

Chord fluency now feels like a playing skill, not just a knowledge set.

Unit 15Application12 minFree account

Notice when a song borrows a chord from outside the key

Move from basic diatonic harmony into practical harmonic awareness.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a familiar progression that stays inside one key, then swap in one outside chord and listen to how the color changes.

You can notice when a progression steps outside the basic key pattern.

You have a practical ear for harmonic contrast, not just labels.

Unit 16Application12 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Build a rhythm part that sounds cleaner by using less

Apply harmonic understanding to a real accompaniment job.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a rhythm part over the groove using only compact triads. Keep the harmony clear without filling every beat.

You can support a groove with compact harmony.

You understand that good rhythm playing is often about choosing less, not more.

Chords path

Chord Fluency

Understand chord quality, harmonic function, and practical chord movement on the guitar.

What you'll be able to do

You can explain why chords sound the way they do, hear common functions, and play smaller, cleaner rhythm parts with intention.

Who this path is for

Players who know chord shapes but want them to make sense.

How each session works

1. Try the challenge first
2. Learn why it's hard
3. Focused drill
4. Quick recall
5. Same challenge again
6. Checkpoint

Sessions

How you'll get there

Back to all paths

Foundation

Build the core skill

Unit 1Foundation13 minRecommended firstFree account

Hear and explain the difference between major and minor

Understand the 1-3-5 formula behind the most important chord qualities.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play E major and E minor back to back, then A major and A minor. Listen for what changes each time the 3rd moves.

You can explain why major and minor sound different.

You can hear the role of the 3rd in a basic chord.

Unit 2Foundation11 minFree account

Explain why one note can flip a chord from major to minor

Go deeper on the note that defines chord quality and ambiguity.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a power chord, then turn it into a major chord, then a minor chord on the same root. If you know one simple barre shape, try the same major-to-minor change there too.

You understand why the 3rd matters so much.

You can explain why power chords feel harmonically open.

Unit 3Foundation13 minFree account

See your open chords as one harmonic family, not a collection of shapes

Understand why the open chords you already know always appear together.

Create free account

Opening challenge

You can name the harmonic function (I, IV, V, vi) of the main open chords in at least one key.

You understand why those chords always appear together.

Unit 4Foundation14 minFree account

Know which chords belong to a key and why

Use major-key harmony as a practical song-learning shortcut.

Create free account

Opening challenge

In G major, play I-IV-V and then I-V-vi-IV. Say the Roman numerals as you play.

You know the major-key triad pattern.

You can connect Roman numerals to familiar progressions.

Unit 5Foundation12 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Recognize the progression families that appear in most songs

Understand a few harmonic templates that show up constantly.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play one common progression in two keys. Start with I-IV-V or I-V-vi-IV. Focus on hearing the same function, not just copying chord names.

You can name at least two progression families.

You understand that progressions are movable systems.

Development

Strengthen and connect it

Unit 6Development14 minTrack: C · 95 BPMFree account

Comp a progression with compact triads instead of full open shapes

Use smaller chord fragments to make harmony easier to move and hear.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play I-IV-V with compact triads on the top strings instead of full open-position chords.

You can describe why triads matter beyond beginner chord shapes.

You can play a simple progression with compact harmony.

Unit 7Development13 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Move a progression smoothly by changing which chord tone is on top

Use inversions to make chord movement sound more connected.

Create free account

Opening challenge

You understand what an inversion changes and what it does not.

You can hear smoother chord motion when you use inversions.

Unit 8Development13 minTrack: C · 48 BPMFree account

Recognize when a chord wants to be richer than a plain triad

Use 7th chords as functional sounds instead of decorative symbols.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Replace plain triads in a short progression with simple 7th-chord versions and listen to how the groove changes. Start with just one swap, then try the whole progression.

You can describe the basic role of major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7.

You are hearing chord color as function, not only decoration.

Unit 9Development12 minFree account

Pick the right chord color when you want open, tense, or neutral

Use sus, add, and power-chord sounds as intentional choices.

Create free account

Opening challenge

You can hear the difference between color choices in chords.

You know when a chord is leaving space versus stating a clear quality.

Application

Use it in real playing

Unit 10Application13 minFree account

Follow a number chart without translating every chord too slowly

Use functional harmony quickly enough to support real-time playing.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Take a simple 1-5-6-4 chart and comp it in one key, then move it to a new key without stopping the groove. Start with two guitar-friendly keys like G and A before trying a less familiar one.

You can follow a simple number chart without freezing on every symbol.

Harmony knowledge is starting to make you more adaptable in real playing situations.

Unit 11Application13 minFree account

Move a progression to a new key without losing the function

Use function to transpose instead of memorizing new song-specific shapes.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play I-IV-V in G, then move the same progression to A and C while keeping the groove steady.

You can move a simple progression without relearning it from zero.

You understand function strongly enough to use it on the instrument.

Unit 12Application14 minFree account

Play the same progression in open chords, barre chords, and triads

See the full range of guitar implementations for one harmonic idea.

Create free account

Opening challenge

You can play the same progression in open, barre, and triad form.

You can describe what each implementation does differently and when you would choose it.

Unit 13Application13 minFree account

Choose the right chord size for what the song actually needs

Decide between full shapes, triads, power chords, and color chords based on the musical situation.

Create free account

Opening challenge

You can identify which chord size fits a musical situation before you play.

Chord choice is becoming an arrangement decision, not just a shape recall.

Unit 14Application14 minFree account

Make chord changes sound connected instead of jumpy

Treat harmony as moving voices, not separate blocks.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a short progression twice: first with big chord jumps, then with smoother voice leading. Listen for which version sounds more connected.

You can hear and create smoother chord movement.

Chord fluency now feels like a playing skill, not just a knowledge set.

Unit 15Application12 minFree account

Notice when a song borrows a chord from outside the key

Move from basic diatonic harmony into practical harmonic awareness.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a familiar progression that stays inside one key, then swap in one outside chord and listen to how the color changes.

You can notice when a progression steps outside the basic key pattern.

You have a practical ear for harmonic contrast, not just labels.

Unit 16Application12 minTrack: C · 70 BPMFree account

Build a rhythm part that sounds cleaner by using less

Apply harmonic understanding to a real accompaniment job.

Create free account

Opening challenge

Play a rhythm part over the groove using only compact triads. Keep the harmony clear without filling every beat.

You can support a groove with compact harmony.

You understand that good rhythm playing is often about choosing less, not more.