Description
Real-time chord recognition for Bluetooth and USB MIDI keyboards, plus an explore mode for learning chords even when your keyboard is not connected.
Stop guessing what chord you're playing.
WhatChord listens to your MIDI keyboard and identifies chords instantly, helping you learn progressions, check voicings, understand harmony, and name what you're hearing. When you're away from your instrument, explore mode lets you build and hear chords by choosing roots, qualities, extensions, and bass notes directly in the app.
Play. Learn. Explore.
WhatChord goes beyond simple note matching. Its musically informed analysis considers inversions, extensions, slash chords, altered tones, harmonic context, and conventional naming practices so chord names appear the way musicians expect to see them.
FEATURES
- Real-time chord recognition
Chord names update immediately as you play.
- Explore chords
Tap the chord card to open explore mode and build or hear chords without a keyboard by adjusting the root, quality, extensions, and bass note.
- Musically informed analysis
Recognizes inversions, extensions, slash chords, upper structures, altered tones, and complex harmony.
- Alternative interpretations
See other valid chord names when more than one reading makes musical sense.
- Context-aware spelling
Uses enharmonic notation based on key signature and chord function.
- Customizable notation
Choose the chord symbol style you prefer.
- MIDI compatibility
Works with standard Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI keyboards and controllers.
RECOGNITION
WhatChord identifies everything from simple triads to rich extended harmony. Whether you're practicing theory, learning progressions, exploring altered dominants, or working through dense extended chords, the app names what you play with accuracy and musical intent.
PRIVACY
WhatChord is free, contains no ads, and collects no personal data. All analysis happens locally on your device.
GET STARTED
Connect a Bluetooth or USB MIDI keyboard for live recognition, or open explore mode and start building chords right away.
Nouveautés (v2026.6.1)
- More accurate chord ranking for slash chords, add-tones, 6/9 chords, altered dominants, and close ambiguities.
- Why This Chord? now keeps strong near-tie alternatives visible.
- MIDI disconnect, cancel, forget-device, and Network Session reconnect flows are more reliable.
- Explore mode adds a visible copy button, major-triad flat ninths, and better root spelling.