Every voicing is shown in multiple areas of the neck, ranging from the nut up to the 12th fret. The Layout Philosophy
: While rare as a new print, used copies can be found on sites like Note on PDF versions
Jay Arnold’s "7488 Guitar Chords" is a legendary reference book known for its massive scope and clear diagrams. Whether you are a jazz enthusiast looking for complex extensions or a beginner mastering the basics, this guide remains a staple in the guitar community.
While 7,488 Guitar Chords is Jay Arnold's most famous work, his broader contributions to music education deserve recognition. Arnold published chord guides for virtually every instrument—keyboard, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, violin, viola, and cello. 7488 guitar chords jay arnold pdf 14 hot
Indicates the digital document format guitarists prefer for viewing on tablets or music stands.
The chord in question was an , specifically a voicing that combined notes E, G, B, D, and an additional E—what the writer called "an inversion with lots of glistening open strings". The column went on to describe the chord as "moody and contemplative" and suggested combining it with an A minor 7th barre chord at the fifth fret.
The book contains 7,488 distinct chord positions, ensuring you will never run out of harmonic options. Every voicing is shown in multiple areas of
In an October 1987 issue of Making Music magazine, a columnist gleefully wrote: “I did it — I found an inversion that Jay Arnold missed in his '7488 Guitar Chords' book… The presence of notes E G B D and E indicate that this is an E minor 7th, albeit one with lots of glistening open strings.”
A standard guitar has over 40,000 possible fingering combinations. Jay Arnold’s PDF doesn’t include every single one (which would be overwhelming), but it includes every practical one. The 7,488 chords are broken down into:
remains a massive, 206-page manual that many consider the "only book you'll ever need" for chord diagrams. Why This Book is Still "Hot" Today While 7,488 Guitar Chords is Jay Arnold's most
Deducted half a point because your hand will hurt trying some of the stretch voicings in the "13th chords" section.
Perhaps the best testament to the book’s cultural impact is the evidence of guitarists actively trying to stump it .