Less between you and the next song.

The chord sites I used were crowded with ads, awkward to use, or charged for practice features I wanted. I wanted a tool built around exactly how I play: readable charts, useful controls, and the practice tools together in one place.

I built FreeChords as a free, open-source songbook and practice app. It combines structured chord charts, transposition, set lists, chord diagrams, a tuner, ear-training tools, and scratch recording. It is hosted for anyone to use and works offline after the initial load.

I also worked with a musician who brought a set of feature requests. We incorporated that feedback into the app, shaping the details around a musician’s actual practice workflow.

1. Keep one source for a song

   The editor and playing view work from the same structured chord format.

2. Design around the music stand

   Adjustable text, auto-scroll, and clear playing controls support actual practice.

3. Build with someone who will use it

   Work through a musician’s feature requests and use that feedback to refine the app.

A free, publicly hosted app with the tools I wanted for playing and practice, and source that others can inspect and adapt. The musician who helped shape it went on to recommend it to their music teachers.