Chord Buddy Review
Verdict and Review Summary
The ChordBuddy's marketing is far too optimistic, while the negative reviews I've seen are far too critical. If you understand the Chord Buddy's functionality and context, it's a decent tool that has value, but certainly not a full learning system, much less the "best" as the box would indicate.
This is our full Chord Buddy review, which was conducted by buying the Chord Buddy device and using it on my own guitars, as well as my son's guitar.
For unique products like this - or for uniquely popular products - I structure my reviews a little differently than normal and put my conclusions at the front, before expanding on my reasoning. Largely due to their successful showing on ABC's Shark Tank, the ChordBuddy device has had better-than-average popularity level for a guitar learning tool.
While Chord Buddy does a decent job of contextualizing this product, the box does refer to it as the "World's Best Guitar Learning System" which it certainly is not.
It's a tool that can supplement other full systems, but is not - in and of itself - a system.
In fact, I would recommend ChordBuddy only as supplemental to one of these full learning programs:
Chord Buddy Alternatives and Comparisons
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PROGRAM | DETAILS | RATING | TRY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Guitar Tricks
| 92.8 | |
 | JamPlay
| 88.7 | |
 | Active Melody
| 80.3 | |
 | ChordBuddy
| 64.4 |
The ChordBuddy hanging out on our dining room table.
Our Weighted ChordBuddy Rating
Features | Point Value (weight) | ChordBuddy Score | Point Total |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Content Quantity | 15% | 62 | 9.3 |
2. EDU Quality | 20% | 65 | 13 |
2. Topical Order | 20% | 65 | 13 |
3. Concept Coverage | 15% | 52 | 7.8 |
4. Song Section | 15% | 70 | 10.5 |
7. Device Functionality | 5% | 76 | 3.8 |
8. Ease of Use | 5% | 78 | 3.9 |
9. Pricing/Value | 5% | 63 | 3.15 |
TOTALS | 100% | 64.4 | |
Does it actually work?
Most people simply want to know: Does the ChordBuddy actually work?
From a functionality standpoint, it certainly does do what it is intended to do.
Using the color-coded buttons, you press down a color to play a particular chord. However, you can only play four chords: G, C, D, and Em.
The ChordBuddy has supplemental learning material depending on where you order it from.
In this regard, the ChordBuddy works fairly well. Chords come out clear, though you do need to adjust the tightness of the device depending on which guitar you're using.
We tested it on four different guitars:
- Taylor 114ce acoustic
- Journey Instruments 3/4 travel acoustic
- Ameritone 3/4 acoustic
- PRS CE 24 electric
On all of these guitars, the ChordBuddy worked as advertised and helped you play chords by simply pressing the colored buttons. You can even detach pieces as you get better to play chords while only using certain parts of the ChordBuddy.
What does it teach you?
Now, you might be asking the "does it work" question a different way, in that you want to know if the ChordBuddy actually teaches or helps you learn guitar. This is a more difficult question to answer because the ChordBuddy, while it does come with some book material, isn't instructional and not what we'd consider a learning system.
As mentioned in the above summary, it's a tool, but little more.
Having "The World's Best Guitar Learning System" on the box is a wild exaggeration.
The world's best guitar learning system? No. Riding Shark Tank's coattails? Yes.
In that regard, I think it's important to define exactly what the ChordBuddy does and does not do for you.
The ChordBuddy Device Can:
- Teach you the cadence of basic songs
- Motivate you and be fun
- Help you focus on your strumming
- Help you ease into certain chords
The ChordBuddy Device Can NOT:
- Replace a full learning system
- Teach you chords
- Teach you scales
- Speed up the learning process
- Address technique
- Address other chords (outside of G, C, D, and Em)
Contextual Value
Understood in its proper context, ChordBuddy does have value as a supplemental learning tool.
It can motivate a beginner and will allow you to start feeling the cadence of chord changes and playing songs. I also really like the feature that allows you to remove pieces one at a time and start playing parts of chords or progressions.
It can help with muscle memory and give you an idea of what a set of chords and chord progressions should sound like.
A look at the ChordBuddy device, up close and personal.
Exaggerated Benefit
Where it's benefit is exaggerated is when it's advertised or understood as a comprehensive solution.
It doesn't teach technique, scales, or rhythm. It also - technically - does not even teach chords. It let's you hear chords but doesn't really teach them, unless you count the supplemental written material and DVD, which isn't totally unique to the ChordBuddy system.
To summarize:
It's a device that gives you a shortcut to playing chords but doesn't necessarily help you play them.
When Chord Buddy is Helpful
And this brings us to an important question:
When would a device like this actually be useful?
A good example of this would be my six year old son who just recently started picking up the guitar (his is the Ameritone 3/4 acoustic). I've had him use both the ChordBuddy and the Guitar Tricks Fundamentals Level I course. Here he is going through the course on my iPad.
My six year old son learning guitar on the iPad from Guitar Tricks.
Even with his small hands and at such a young age, I didn't really think that my son needed the ChordBuddy. In my view, he was better off learning without the training wheels and just getting his hands used to pressing down strings instead of buttons.
The opposing argument is that using the ChordBuddy in segments can help motivate him and make him more excited to learn how to actually play the chords.
So I've had him use the ChordBuddy after he puts in some time pressing strings. This accomplishes a couple of things:
- Give his hands a break
- Let him have a little more fun
You can see where the ChordBuddy could have a place in this process but probably shouldn't be relied upon as the primary administrator of learning.
I'd say that ChordBuddy can be useful for beginners, kids, those with hand or arm-related disabilities, or classrooms as a supplemental tool. Beyond that context, the ChordBuddy is a shortcut that doesn't have a ton of use and shouldn't be relied upon as an autonomous learning system.
Combine ChordBuddy with Alternatives
Again, we'd recommend pairing ChordBuddy as a fun side-item with one of the guitar learning systems we do promote and trust, like Guitar Tricks or JamPlay, which you can try here for free:
If you use the ChordBuddy as secondary to one of these programs, it can provide a nice break from mundane practice and help to motivate you as a beginner or a child learning the basics.
Conclusion
Note that ChordBuddy is only designed to fit guitars and won't work on a ukulele or bass.
There is, however, a ChordBuddy specifically for ukulele.
Also keep in mind that a lot of negative reviews are born out of people not understanding what it is or how it's supposed to be used. When properly applied, I think the ChordBuddy has its place as a contextually helpful learning tool.
In summary:
I would also argue that the wording on the box and the marketing is greatly exaggerated and that it should not be relied upon as a full solution for learning guitar. If ChordBuddy were to pull back expectations a little bit, I'd probably give it a higher rating.
It's the programs that over-promise and under-deliver that I tend to score lower.
Your Questions and Comments
Do you have questions about our ChordBuddy review?
I bought the ChordBuddy off Amazon and have actually used it.
We still have the unit at our house with everything that came in the box, so we can definitely answer questions if you have them.
Feel free to leave me a note in the comments section and I'll do my best to help out.
Sources and Works Cited
Related Articles
Written by Bobby on Lessons and Reviews
Written by Bobby on Lessons and Reviews
Hi I recently bought the chord buddy and all I got in the box was the device and a thank you note,being a total beginner I don’t know what buttons to press for any individual chord ?
Where did you buy it? Was it used? I got a whole bunch of stuff when I ordered mine for testing.
It’s new ok but I don’t know what coloured button to press for each chord,I really bought it to get my ear in tune and strumming practice,cheers
Ok, here’s what I have from this: https://chordbuddy.com/DigitalBooks/ChordBuddy%20Songbook.pdf
G chord = blue
Em chord = yellow
C chord = green
D chord = red
Pretty limiting if you ask me, but that’s what ya get. Hope this helps.
Cheers Bobby but you know what,I don’t think it matters because the whole unit is so flimsy and doesn’t make the correct connection with the strings,what a complete waste 😕
That was my take. Hence the negative review.
I do think the intent behind this thing is good (making the guitar more accessible). But at the end of the day it doesn’t work well, and it tries to shortcut the learning process.
That kind of thing rarely works out.
Exactly mate,and I am getting more frustrated as I cannot find a tutor in my area and I am a complete novice
Have you tried the online stuff? That’s what we typically recommend. Tons of free and paid stuff out there.
I ordered one your chord s Starter Kit kit kit Never received it What do you want me to do
Michael – we do not sell the Chordbuddy system. We’ve simply tested and reviewed it. Please refer to Chordbuddy’s support for help with your problem.
I ordered anew I ordered a new 1 on amazon I guess I have to call the better business bureau
https://www.chordbuddy.com/contact-us/
Bobby I am blinded by it all as their is so many and any I go for is looking for huge money,which unfortunately I do not have
Start with Justinguitar.
Cheers Bobby I will have a look now.
I work with a little girl who has some disabilities, including low muscle tone and a lot of uncoordinated movements. She loves imitating guitar playing, but even on our smallest guitar she can’t press hard enough on the strings to accomplish anything. Do you think chord buddy makes it easier to press the strings? Is there less muscle involved?
Yeah I think so. I would also try maybe a nylon string acoustic.
Another “hack” would be to just tune the guitar a step or two lower. That makes it a lot easier to press strings.
I would like to know what particular models of guitar, folk have successfully used with ChordBuddy.
I am surprised that your son could use ChordBuddy on a 3/4 size guitar!
The neck is a regular size neck, so it worked fine.
Thanks for the careful review of Chord Buddy. Your conclusions make a lot of sense. Similar to Barb, I’m 70 & I have inherited a couple of guitars from my sister who passed a few years ago. I’ve always wished I could play, so now I’d like to learn. However, I am VERY left-handed, so I’ve restrung one guitar upside down.
Live instructors I’ve tried in the past seem either to want me to learn to play right-handed or uncomfortable teaching left-handed. Plus, I believe I might have more success (at least in getting started) if I can work at my own pace using really good aids (books, videos, etc.).
So do you recommend devoted left-handers also try Guitar Tricks or do you recommend something different for lefties who want to learn to play a left-handed guitar?
Thanks,
Paul
Hey, Paul – have you tried TrueFire? They have a built-in flipping tool. If not, GT and JP can be flipped with a little trickery: https://www.guitarchalk.com/watch-any-guitar-lesson-video-left-handed/
Hope this is helpful!
I was given a guitar for Xmas, I am 70 and have always wanted to learn to play the guitar, I want to know if the Chord Buddy would be of help for me to learn to play the guitar…. I have no idea where to start 🙂
Barb – to be honest, we don’t recommend the Chordbuddy. Are you comfortable learning from an online platform, or do you prefer something like a book or an in-person class? If online, I’d recommend just starting with https://www.justinguitar.com and doing some of his beginner courses. It’s all free.
So basically, the Chordbuddy replaces having to press on a string with pressing on the button? That’s the entire difference? Thank you
Yep – that’s correct.
hi David. My question is will it help me from muting the chords. I have tried everything for a long time and just can’t get around the fact that my fingers are too big. I get frustrated and then put it away only to come back to the same problem. Thank you, Ken
Ken – are you talking about using the Chordbuddy specifically or actually playing guitar? Please clarify. Thanks.
So what is the ultimate learning system in your estimation?
Hey David – typically I recommend Guitar Tricks for beginners and TrueFire for advanced or specialized study.