What is a chart

[jdee]

I just started playing guitar. I am learning pretty much from youtube. Everyone in the videos refers to " I am looking at the chart" Will someone please explain to me what a chart is and how to get them???

[rayden44]

Hi, and welcome!

Can you post the link to the video so I can see what you're talking about? Saying 'the chart' by itself is doesn't mean any more in music than it would in any other context. I've never heard this in the videos except when they've included the chart in the actual video ie you can see it.

I would imagine they're talking about a chart that the owner of the video has put up (usually on their website) that you can download. These would show you where to put your fingers to play the entire song. You'll probably find where this is in the description of the video, or maybe in the video owners profile.

The other possible chart I can think of is a chord chart. This is much the same idea, but only for a single chord. You'd usually use several of these to make up a song.

[469roadking]

What we usually refer to as charts are really nothing more than a chord map usually laid out over a lyric sheet. It can be done in the "Nashville numbering" system or just simply written out.
LIke this:


G C D G
LYRIC LYRIC BLAH BLAB BLAH BLAB LYRIC LYRIC LYRIC


or......................


Key of G major:

1 4 5 1
LYRIC LYRIC BLAH BLAB BLAH BLAB LYRIC LYRIC LYRIC


Thats my story and I"m sticking to it.


modification: the numbers and letters over my lyrics are not spreading out over the words in my song when I post them but you probably get the idea.

[lessonsthatrock]

I'd agree. It's probably a chord or scale chart, which are almost identical when deciphering them.