Treble Clef Notes

Used for the right hand on piano, and for guitar, ukulele, and melody in voice. Teal = on a line · Purple = in a space.

Lines — bottom to top:
Every Good Boy Does Fine
EGBDF
Spaces — bottom to top:
F · A · C · E
FACE

Bass Clef Notes

Read by the left hand on piano. Covers the lower register of notes.

Lines — bottom to top:
Good Burritos Don't Fall Apart
G B D F A
Spaces — bottom to top:
All Cows Eat Grass
ACEG

Note Values

The four most common note values you'll see in your primer books.

Piano Chords for Beginners

These are the seven chords built from the C major scale — the most important chords to learn first. Each diagram shows which keys to press for the root position.

Chord Inversions

Every chord can be played in three positions. Root position starts on the chord's name note. Inversions rearrange those same notes — great for smooth voice leading!

How inversions work: Root Position has the chord's name note on the bottom. 1st Inversion moves the bottom note to the top. 2nd Inversion moves the bottom note to the top again.

How to Practice These Chords

  • 1
    Start with C major, F major, and G major — these three chords alone can play hundreds of songs.
  • 2
    Curve your fingers like you're holding a small ball. Flat fingers mute neighboring keys.
  • 3
    Press all three notes at exactly the same time. Listen for a clean, ringing sound.
  • 4
    Once you can play each chord cleanly, practice switching between C → F → G → C smoothly.
  • 5
    Teal chords = major (bright/happy). Pink chords = minor (moody). Gold = diminished (tense/dramatic).

Open Guitar Chords

These 8 open chords will unlock thousands of songs. Learn them one at a time — quality over speed!

Standard Tuning: Low E· A· D· G· B· High E "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie"
1
Index
2
Middle
3
Ring
4
Pinky
×Muted string
Open string
  • 1
    Press fingertips close to the fret wire for a cleaner sound with less effort.
  • 2
    Arch your fingers to avoid accidentally muting neighboring strings.
  • 3
    Teal = major chord. Pink = minor chord.

Open Ukulele Chords

Only 4 strings makes ukulele chords very beginner-friendly. Start with C — it only takes one finger!

Standard Tuning (top to bottom): G· C· E· A "Good Cats Eat Apples"
1
Index
2
Middle
3
Ring
4
Pinky
Open string
  • 1
    C → Am → F → G are four chords that work in hundreds of popular songs.
  • 2
    Ukulele strings are soft — a light touch is all you need.
  • 3
    Teal = major chord. Pink = minor chord.