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Chord symbols are a system of musical notation that represents chords using letters, numbers and symbols instead of writing out every note. They are widely used in pop, rock, jazz and contemporary music.
What are chord symbols?
In a chord symbol, the capital letter indicates the root note of the chord, while additional symbols describe the chord quality. For example, m indicates a minominor chord, 7 adds a seventh, and sus indicates a suspended chord.
Unlike standard notation, chord symbols do not specify exactly how the notes should be played. Instead, musicians choose the most suitable voicing for the musical style and situation.
How are chord symbols used in piano playing?
Chord symbols are one of the fastest ways to play songs on the piano. Instead of reading every note from the staff, you simply read the chord name and choose an appropriate chord shape.
Most lead sheets consist of a melody written in standard notation with chord symbols placed above the staff. Learning to read chord symbols is an essential skill for accompanying singers, improvising and playing thousands of popular songs.