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Apr 23, 2021 by Mike

Six Digit Chord Notation

I use a six digit code to describe what notes to play for each chord used in all of the tabs. The six digit code represents the six strings of the guitar and indicates which fret on each string to play to form the chord.

The code works as follows:

     six digits => 0 0 0 0 0 0
     string     => 6 5 4 3 2 1 
                   E A D G B E

The number displayed in each digit corresponds to the fret that you need to play for that string. Note, "x" indicates that the string is not played or muted. Here are some examples.

Example 1. The notation for Em11 chord is:

     Em11 = 000000 =  EADGBE  

     all strings are played in the open position

Example 2. The notation for a G major chord is:

     G = 320002  =  GCDGBG  

     6th string -> play on fret 3
     5th string -> play on fret 2
     4th string -> open
     3rd string -> open
     2nd string -> open
     1st string -> play on fret 3

Example 3. The notation for a Bm7 bar chord is:

     Bm7 = 224232  =  F#BF#ADF# 

     6th string -> play on fret 2 
     5th string -> play on fret 2 
     4th string -> play on fret 4 
     3rd string -> play on fret 2 
     2nd string -> play on fret 3 
     1st string -> play on fret 2

Example 3. The notation for a Amaj7 chord is:

     Amaj7 = 5x665x  =  AxG#C#Ex

     6th string -> play on fret 5 
     5th string -> do not play - mute
     4th string -> play on fret 6 
     3rd string -> play on fret 6 
     2nd string -> play on fret 5 
     1st string -> do not play - mute

Note that this notation gets a bit cumbersome once the frets go beyond 9. I generally add a space between the digits.

For example, the notation for F#m7 on fret 9 is:

     F#m7  = x 9 11 9 10 9  =  F#C#EAC#

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