Reading Music for Guitarists - Chord Charts vs. Tabs

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!

---

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!

---

Recent Lessons

• August 20, 2026

  [Updated] Chord Changes & Learning New Chords

  Over in my Beginner Chord Guide, I've updated the Chord Changes lesson page to include a ton of new written detail giving context to my video lesson. If you struggle with learning new chords or changing chords smoothly, check it out!

• August 19, 2026

  Practice Guide for "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash

  Check out my brand new visual companion to help you learn Johnny Cash's 1956 classic! 6 pages, including step-by-step tips for chords, strumming, walking bass lines, and more.

• August 14, 2026

  Strum & Sing "Runaway" by Del Shannon

  Learn to play this #1 hit from 1961! This song is a blast to play, as it features a fun key change and plenty of strumming flourishes to include. I teach it all, step by step!

• August 7, 2026

  Practice Guide for "Brown Eyed Girl"

  I've created a brand new Practice Guide to accompany my popular Brown Eyed Girl lesson! Enjoy an updated visual companion helping you with chord shape finger positions, various ways to play the melodic intro riff, strumming, and much more.

• July 31, 2026

  "Ohio" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young

  Learn to play this CSNY protest classic from 1970! Features an iconic rock riff, which I'll teach you to play a few different ways. I also include strumming tips for the chorus, along with options for standard and Drop-D tunings.

• July 17, 2026

  Travis Picking Essentials: 10 New Pages of PDF Guides!

  This week I finished a batch of 5 new PDF guides for my in-progress Travis Picking Essentials course... and they're ready for you to download and print!

• July 16, 2026

  [Updated] How I Learned to Travis Pick with John Prine ft. Clay Pigeons

  I totally overhauled my 7 page PDF guide for this lesson! Plus, I recorded six zoomed videos showing the step-by-step exercises I recommend.

• July 3, 2026

  "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin (full song lesson)

  Learn to play each seciton of Led Zeppelin's 1969 classic! For each section, I teach several easier ways to play things – allowing you to strum & sing without worrying about copying Jimmy Page in all cases.

• June 21, 2026

  Dad-Inspired Songs for Father's Day

  To fathers past, present, or future — here's a roundup of songs I've taught that celebrate Dad! Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, and many other artists included.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

---

← back to homepage