Chord8

Interactive Lessons

Step-by-step exercises that open Chord8 with the right settings pre-loaded. Each lesson builds on the last — start at Level 1 and work your way up.

The lessons here are designed around a simple observation: when a beginner and a working musician look at the same chord, they see two completely different things. The beginner sees a shape — three or four fingers on specific frets. The working musician sees a structure — a root, a third that determines the chord's emotional colour, a fifth that holds the chord together, and any extensions or alterations on top. Closing the gap between those two views is what these lessons exist to do. Every exercise opens the Chord8 visualizer with specific intervals highlighted by colour, so the structural view becomes immediately visible alongside the physical shape your fingers are making.

Level 1 introduces notes and open strings. Level 2 focuses on roots, thirds, fifths, and the major-versus-minor contrast. Level 3 introduces scales, keys, and fretboard patterns. Level 4 covers diatonic chords and Roman-numeral progressions. Level 5 applies secondary dominants and inversions. Lessons link directly to the exact Chord8 state used by each exercise.

You do not need to complete every lesson at one level before moving up. If a later lesson catches your eye and you have the basic vocabulary, jump in. The goal is not to grind through a curriculum; it is to build the kind of theoretical intuition that makes practising more focused and listening more rewarding.

Getting Started

L1
Name the Open Strings
Learn the names of the 6 open guitar strings using the note display.
L1
Find Notes on the Fretboard
Practice locating specific notes across all 6 strings.

Intervals & Colors

L2
The Root Note (Red)
Learn that the root note is always red and is the foundation of every chord.
L2
Major Third vs Minor Third
Hear and see the difference between major (yellow) and minor (orange) thirds.
L2
The Perfect Fifth (Blue)
Understand the perfect fifth — the most consonant interval after the octave.

Scales & Keys

L3
The Major Scale Pattern
Learn the whole-half step pattern of the major scale and see it on the fretboard.
L3
Minor vs Major Scale
Compare the natural minor scale to the major scale and see which intervals change.
L3
CAGED Box Positions
Learn the 5 CAGED positions to play scales anywhere on the fretboard.

Chord Theory

L4
The I-IV-V Progression
Understand the three most important chords in any major key using Roman numerals.
L4
Diatonic Chord Qualities
Learn why some chords in a key are major, some minor, and one diminished.

Analysis & Application

L5
Secondary Dominants
Identify secondary dominant chords and understand how they create motion.
L5
Chord Inversions
Explore root position, 1st, and 2nd inversions and hear how they change the chord's sound.
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