8-String Guitar Chord Chart
Find chords on 8-string guitar in Standard (F# B E A D G B E) and Drop E tunings.
Tap the X/○ above each string to mute or open. Tap a fret cell to place or remove a finger.
How to Use the 8-String Guitar Chord Finder
- Default tuning is Standard (F# B E A D G B E), which adds two low strings.
- Tap the fretboard to build chord shapes.
- The identifier handles 8 strings natively.
- Type a chord name to get voicings. Many are 6-string shapes with the low strings muted, which is often the best-sounding choice.
8-String Guitar: Extended Range
The 8-string guitar extends the range of a 6-string guitar by two additional low strings: F# and B. It's popular in modern progressive metal, djent, and jazz fusion. Meshuggah and Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders helped popularize the instrument.
Low F# is about 46 Hz, only a whole step above a bass guitar's low E. In a band, that string competes with the bass, so agree on who owns the low end.
Tunings
- Standard (F# B E A D G B E): extends 6-string standard with F# and B below.
- Drop E (E B E A D G B E): the lowest string is dropped to E for heavy chugging riffs.
Chord Voicings on 8-String
The extra low range means chord voicings can include deeper bass notes, producing rich, piano-like textures. But low range can also sound muddy quickly. Skilled 8-string players use the extra strings selectively and often mute them during normal 6-string chord shapes.
- On the low strings, stick to roots, 5ths and octaves. A 3rd down there turns muddy on 8 strings just as it does on a piano.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play 6-string chord shapes on 8-string?
Yes. Mute the two lowest strings and play any 6-string shape. The extra strings are there when you need them.
Why F# instead of just B?
Going another 4th below B lands on F#, continuing the 4ths pattern of standard tuning. Some players prefer other tunings like E1 on the lowest string to maintain octave relationships with the E strings above.
Does the chord identifier work with 8 strings?
Yes. The algorithm operates on pitch classes and bass notes, so string count doesn't matter for chord recognition.
Explore More Instrument Chord Tools
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- 7-String Guitar Chords: extended range chord chart for Standard B and Drop A
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