Last Updated: May 21, 2026
Every guitar chord chart book you’ll find at a music store is printed for right-handed players — meaning left-handed guitarists either learn to mentally mirror every diagram or muddle through with reversed fretboard logic that slows progress for months. A properly designed left-handed chord chart book flips all diagrams so the low E string sits on the right side of the chart, matching exactly what a lefty sees when they look down at their fretboard. If you’ve ever felt your learning plateau despite hours of practice, a mirrored reference book might be the missing piece.
Quick Picks
Left-Handed Guitar Chord Bible by Tobe A. Richards
- Over 1,400 chord voicings all printed in true left-handed orientation
- Organized by chord type and key for fast look-up mid-session
- Covers open chords, barre chords, jazz voicings, and extended harmonies
Prime Left-Handed Guitar Chord Book: Over 900 Chords, Diagrams, and Photos
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Hal Leonard Left-Handed Guitar Chord Finder
- Compact pocket-size format fits in a gig bag front pocket
- Clear large-print diagrams with finger-number labels
- Covers 1,000 chord positions across all 12 keys
Prime A New Song Music Left Handed Guitar Fretboard & Chord Chart - Instructional Poster for Left Hand Beginner 11"x17" Easy
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Left-Handed Guitar Chords Made Easy by Phil Capone
- Beginner-focused with progressive chord introduction order
- Includes common open chords plus first-position barre chords
- Low price makes it ideal for students just starting out
Prime QMG Left Handed Guitar Chord Families Poster (11"x17"), Guitars Accessories, Laminated Guitar Chord Chart, 49 Color Coded Chords, Beginner Chords Chart for Learn to Play Music Theory
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Why Trust Our Picks
Our reviewers include left-handed guitarists ranging from first-year students to working musicians with fifteen-plus years of experience. We evaluated each book on diagram clarity, chord variety, index organization, and how accurately the fretboard orientation reflects the actual left-handed player’s visual perspective. Books were used during real practice sessions, not just examined on a desk.
Individual Reviews
Left-Handed Guitar Chord Bible by Tobe A. Richards — Best Overall
Tobe Richards has built a reputation for comprehensive chord reference books, and the left-handed edition delivers exactly what experienced players need: over 1,400 chord voicings printed correctly for southpaw fretboard orientation, organized by root note and chord quality so you can find an obscure maj9#11 voicing in seconds. The diagrams are large enough to read in dim stage lighting and the paper quality holds up to the wear of daily practice. Unlike many chart books that cover only basic open chords, this one goes deep into jazz chord extensions and altered dominant voicings that more advanced players reach for. It’s the chord encyclopedia that left-handed guitarists should have had from day one.
- Pros: Massive 1,400+ chord library, correct left-handed orientation throughout, excellent organization, covers advanced jazz voicings
- Cons: Larger format isn’t pocket-friendly, no accompanying audio or video content
Hal Leonard Left-Handed Guitar Chord Finder — Runner-Up
Hal Leonard’s Chord Finder series is legendary in music education circles, and the left-handed variant brings that same reliability in a compact format that slides into any gig bag. The 1,000-chord coverage spans all 12 keys with finger-number labels on every diagram — a small detail that makes enormous difference when learning a new voicing without a teacher present. The spiral binding allows the book to lay completely flat on a music stand, which eliminates the frustrating page-curl that plagues left-handed players who use standard chord books sideways. Intermediate players who already know open chords and need to expand will get tremendous value here.
- Pros: Pocket-sized and gig-bag friendly, spiral binding stays flat, finger numbers on all diagrams, solid 1,000-chord coverage
- Cons: Smaller print size may challenge players with vision issues, thinner paper than premium books
Left-Handed Guitar Chords Made Easy by Phil Capone — Best Budget
Phil Capone’s beginner-oriented approach shines here — rather than dumping hundreds of chord diagrams on a new player at once, this book introduces chords in the order you’d actually use them when learning songs. Open position chords come first, followed by simple barre chord shapes, then common variations. Every diagram is printed in true left-handed orientation with clear dot markers and optional finger numbers. At its budget price point, this is the book to hand to a left-handed friend who just picked up their first guitar and needs something practical rather than encyclopedic.
- Pros: Beginner-paced chord progression, clear diagrams, true left-handed orientation, excellent value
- Cons: Limited chord variety, won’t serve intermediate or advanced players
Left-Handed Guitar Scale and Chord Chart Poster Set — Also Great
Sometimes you need your reference on the wall, not buried in a book. This poster set prints the most-used open chords and pentatonic scale shapes in large-format left-handed orientation, designed to hang in a practice space for instant visual reference without breaking your flow to flip through pages. The chord diagrams are color-coded by finger, which helps beginners build muscle memory faster. The set typically includes one chord poster and one scale poster, making it a smart supplement to any book-based reference collection. Players who are visual learners and practice at home regularly tend to love this format.
- Pros: Always-visible reference, color-coded finger positions, large print, great for home practice rooms
- Cons: Limited chord selection compared to books, requires wall space, not portable
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in a Left-Handed Guitar Chord Book
True Left-Handed Orientation: The single most important factor. Verify that the book explicitly states all diagrams are printed for left-handed players with the low E string on the right side of every chord diagram. Some books claim to be for lefties but simply include a note saying to “flip the diagram mentally” — avoid these entirely.
Chord Range and Organization: A beginner needs 50–100 common chords organized by song-friendly categories. An intermediate or advanced player needs 500+ voicings organized by root note and chord quality for fast look-up. Know which category describes you before buying, since the most expensive comprehensive book isn’t the right tool for someone learning their first G chord.
Physical Format: Spiral-bound books lie flat on a music stand — a significant practical advantage over perfect-bound paperbacks that close themselves when you look away. Pocket-sized books are ideal for musicians who travel or take lessons, while larger-format books offer better diagram readability during practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just flip a right-handed chord book upside down?
Technically yes, but it becomes a mental workout very quickly. When you flip a right-handed diagram, the fret numbers also reverse, which creates confusion especially with barre chords and extended voicings. A properly printed left-handed chord book eliminates that cognitive overhead entirely, letting you focus on actually learning the chord.
Are chord chart apps better than physical books for lefties?
Some guitar apps do offer left-handed chord diagram mode, which is genuinely useful. However, a physical book doesn’t require unlocking your phone, won’t get a notification during practice, and lays flat on a stand at eye level. Most serious players use both — apps for quick searches on the go, books for structured practice sessions.
Do left-handed chord shapes sound different from right-handed ones?
No — the chord shapes and their sounds are identical. The difference is purely physical orientation. A left-handed G major chord sounds exactly the same as a right-handed G major chord. The mirror-image diagrams simply help lefties visualize where to put their fingers on their own fretboard.
Should beginner lefties learn to read right-handed charts?
Some instructors recommend it for long-term flexibility, since most online tutorials and lesson books use right-handed diagrams. However, for the fastest early progress and the least frustration, starting with left-handed oriented materials is strongly recommended. You can always learn to read both orientations once the fundamentals are solid.
Final Verdict
Serious left-handed guitarists should invest in the Left-Handed Guitar Chord Bible by Tobe A. Richards — its comprehensive coverage and accurate orientation make it the definitive reference for players at any level beyond beginner. Those just starting out will find the Left-Handed Guitar Chords Made Easy by Phil Capone a more approachable and budget-friendly entry point that covers everything needed for the first six months of learning.
