Downloadable Charts Versus Free Chord Sheets

A free chord sheet can be perfectly useful when you're learning a song at home. But when you're preparing for a rehearsal or a gig, knowing the chords is often not enough.

The important question is: do you know when the chords change and what happens next?

Free chord sheets have their place

A basic chord sheet can be all you need for a simple song you already know well. You can see the lyrics, find the chords and start playing.

The problem comes when the arrangement is less familiar.

A chord written above a lyric does not always tell you exactly when to change. The sheet may also leave out the intro, bridge, instrumental section, repeats or ending.

If you already know the song, you may fill in those gaps from memory. If you don't, you have to work them out yourself.

When you need more than chords

A performance chart gives you a clearer roadmap of the song.

Bar lines show how the chords fit into the measures. Section headings show where you are in the song. Arrangement notes can tell you about an intro, repeat, stop, solo or ending.

That information becomes particularly useful when you're rehearsing with other musicians.

Instead of asking, “How many times do we play the chorus?” or “When do we go to the bridge?”, everyone can follow the same chart.

The key matters too

The original recording may not be in the best key for your singer.

A song can be much easier to perform when it is moved to a more comfortable key. A useful chart should make the key clear and, where appropriate, allow the song to be transposed without having to work everything out again.

A chart should save you time

The real difference is not simply free versus paid.

It is basic information versus information prepared for playing.

If you're casually trying a song at home, a free chord sheet may be all you need.

If you're preparing a set, learning songs for a band, accompanying a singer or getting ready for a performance, a clear downloadable chart can save you time and reduce guesswork.

Charts4Guitar provides practical guitar charts with clear chord placement, song structure and arrangement information to help musicians learn, rehearse and perform.

Accurate. Clear. Easy to read.

Less time figuring it out. More time playing.

Make Playing Fun.