We built three small tools for the moments when you're holding a guitar and a question: is this in tune, what chord am I playing, and which scale fits this riff? They're free, they run in your browser, and there's nothing to sign up for or install. Here's what each one does and how they fit into a practice session.
Guitar Tuner
Open the Guitar Tuner, tap Start, allow the microphone and pluck one string. The needle leans left when you're flat and right when you're sharp, and the screen turns orange when the string is in tune. Your mic audio stays on your device; nothing is recorded or uploaded.
- Tunings: standard, Drop D, half step down, full step down, Drop C, Open G, Open D and DADGAD.
- Reference pitch: A440 by default, adjustable if your band tunes elsewhere.
- No mic? Tap a string button to hear its note and tune by ear.
Chord Identifier
Found a shape you like but don't know its name? In the Chord Identifier, tap the frets you're holding, one note per string. Tap above the nut for an open string and tap again to mute it. The chord's name, notes and intervals appear as you go, and slash chords and inversions are named too. Tap Hear it to strum what's on the board.
It works the other way round as well. Switch to Build a chord, choose a root and a chord type, and step through the shapes for it.
Scale Identifier
The Scale Identifier starts from notes you already know. Tap a few notes from a riff, solo or melody, anywhere on the neck, and every scale that contains all of them is listed. The first note you tap counts as the likely root. Pick one and it fills the whole neck; turn on Show intervals to see each note's degree, and check the chords that belong to that key.
If you already know what you want, use Show a scale to choose any key and scale, then tap Hear it to play it.
Putting them together
- Tune. Start every session with the tuner, in whatever tuning the song needs.
- Name what you're playing. Run the chords of a song you're learning through the Chord Identifier and write their names down.
- Find the scale. Tap the root notes of those chords into the Scale Identifier and you'll see which keys hold them. That's your map for soloing.
- Improvise. Play over a recording of the song using only the notes the scale shows. Then break the rule on purpose and listen to what happens.
All three work in standard, drop and open tunings, so the chord names and scale shapes match the guitar in your hands.
Gear for the session
- Boneyard Collection Pro Series Variety Pack: 1.00mm Delrin triangles with three playable edges, and all three Pro Series artworks.
- Stainless Steel Performance Pick: 0.40mm steel for a bright, sharp attack, etched with our hand-drawn Jimi Skull art.
- Standards Nylon Guitar Pick: 0.96mm nylon with a warm, rounded attack that suits strumming.