Making Chords on Guitar Tab Creator

Welcome to chord creation in Guitar Tab Creator! There are multiple ways to create chords in your guitar tablature, each designed for different workflows and skill levels.

This guide will walk you through all the available methods, from our modern Chords and Intervals tool to the classic toolbar approach and the powerful Advanced Editor.

Three Ways to Create Chords

Chords and Intervals Tool (Recommended) - Our modern, visual approach with a searchable chord library, real-time diagram preview, and the ability to save custom voicings. This is the easiest and most powerful method.

Standard Editor Toolbar - The classic fretboard-based approach using the "Create Chords" toolbar buttons. Great for quick chord entry using the visual fretboard, open up the chord tool, see the chord diagram, save it to your collection.

Advanced Editor - Keyboard-driven chord creation for logged-in users. The fastest method for experienced users who prefer keyboard shortcuts over clicking. Allows for full freedom when building your tabs.

Method 1: Chords and Intervals Tool (Recommended)

Why Use This Method?

The Chords and Intervals tool is our most modern and powerful chord creation feature. It gives you:

Visual Gallery: Browse thousands of chord variations with thumbnail previews
Searchable Library: Find exactly the voicing you need by root note and chord type
Real-time Preview: See chord diagrams update as you build custom voicings
Save & Reuse: Build your personal library of favorite chord shapes
Community Sharing: Access chords created by other musicians

Quick Start with the Chords and Intervals Tool

Step 1: Click the "Chords and Intervals" header in the editor to open the tool

Step 2: Choose your approach:

Search the Library: Select a root note and chord type, then click "Search" to browse existing chords
Create Custom: Click "Enable Chords" and build your own voicing on the fretboard

Step 3: Insert the chord into your tablature with a single click

📚 Want the Full Details?

The Chords and Intervals tool has many powerful features including community chords, saving custom voicings, and advanced search options. For a complete guide, visit:

Complete Chords and Intervals Tool Guide →

Method 2: Creating Chords Using the Standard Editor Toolbar

The Standard Editor provides a classic fretboard-based approach to creating chords using the "Create Chords" toolbar. This method is straightforward and works well when you know exactly which notes you want to place.

Using the Create Chords Toolbar

Step 1: Locate and click the "Enable Chords" button in the toolbar to activate chord creation mode

Step 2: Once chord mode is active, you'll see three control buttons:

"Enable Notes" - Ends chord creation mode and returns to single-note entry
"New Chord" - Completes the current chord and moves forward to start a new chord
"Mute String" - Allows you to mark strings as muted (X) within your chord

Step 3: Click on the fretboard to add notes to your chord. Each click places a note on the selected string and fret position.

Step 4: As you click, watch the chord being created in the tablature below the fretboard in real-time.

Step 5: To add muted strings, click the "Mute String" button, then click on any string you want to mute. An "X" will appear for that string in the chord.

Step 6: When finished with the chord:

Click "Next Chord" to move forward and create another chord
Click "Stop Recording" to exit chord mode

Video Tutorial: Standard Editor Toolbar Method

This video demonstrates how to create chords using the "Create Chords" toolbar. You'll see the complete process of starting chord mode, adding notes, handling mutes, and creating multiple chords in sequence:

Watch: Create Chords Using the Standard Editor Toolbar →

📚 Complete Guide Available

For more detailed instructions, tips, and advanced techniques using the Standard Editor toolbar, visit our dedicated help page:

How to Make Chords Using Standard Editor - Full Guide →

Method 3: Creating Chords with the Advanced Editor

Account Required

To use the Advanced Editor, you must create an account and be logged in. This feature is reserved for registered users and provides keyboard-driven chord creation for maximum speed and efficiency.

Why Use the Advanced Editor?

The Advanced Editor is the fastest way to create chords once you've learned the keyboard shortcuts. Key benefits include:

Keyboard-Only Workflow: No need to click on the fretboard - use your keyboard exclusively
Faster Navigation: Arrow keys let you move quickly through your tablature
Complex Patterns: Create advanced chord patterns, hammer-ons, slides, and pull-offs
Visual Feedback: A popup window shows which keys you're pressing in real-time
Quick Muting: Press 'X' to instantly mute strings

Using the Advanced Editor for Chords

The Advanced Editor transforms chord creation into a purely keyboard-driven experience. Instead of clicking on the fretboard, you navigate the tablature using arrow keys and enter notes directly.

Navigation: Use the arrow keys to move up and down strings and left and right across the tablature

Adding Notes: Type fret numbers directly on the keyboard to place notes at the current cursor position

Creating Chords: Navigate vertically to stack notes on different strings at the same position, creating chords naturally as you work

Muting Strings: Press the 'X' key to mark the current string as muted in your chord

Visual Assistance: Watch the popup window that displays your keypresses, helping you track what you're entering

Video Tutorial: Advanced Editor Method

This video demonstrates the Advanced Editor's keyboard-driven approach to creating chords. You'll see how to navigate the tablature, enter chord notes quickly, and work without ever touching the mouse:

Watch: Create Chords Using the Advanced Editor →

Pro Tip

While the Advanced Editor has a learning curve, experienced users find it significantly faster than mouse-based methods. The ability to keep your hands on the keyboard and navigate quickly makes complex tablature creation much more efficient.

Which Method Should You Use?

Choose the Chords and Intervals Tool if you want:

Access to a library of pre-built chord voicings
Visual previews and real-time feedback
The ability to save and organize your custom chords
To discover new chord variations from the community
The most modern and feature-rich experience

Choose the Standard Editor Toolbar if you want:

A straightforward, click-and-place approach
Visual fretboard interaction
Quick chord entry without searching
A familiar, traditional interface

Choose the Advanced Editor if you want:

The absolute fastest chord creation method
Keyboard-only workflow
Support for complex techniques (slides, hammer-ons, etc.)
Professional-level tablature creation capabilities
To never leave the keyboard while composing

Conclusion

Guitar Tab Creator provides multiple chord creation methods to suit different workflows and experience levels. Whether you prefer the modern visual approach of the Chords and Intervals tool, the classic simplicity of the toolbar, or the blazing speed of the Advanced Editor, you have the flexibility to work the way that suits you best.

New users: Start with the Chords and Intervals tool to explore the chord library and learn different voicings.

Intermediate users: Mix the Standard Editor toolbar for quick entry with the Chords and Intervals tool when you need to search or save.

Advanced users: Master the Advanced Editor's keyboard shortcuts for maximum efficiency, especially when creating longer or more complex tablatures.

Happy chord creation!

Check out all the help videos