What Are Chords?
A chord is a group of three or more notes played together at the same time. Chords provide the harmonic foundation of music — they give songs their emotional colour and sense of movement.
The most basic type of chord is a triad, which consists of three notes stacked in intervals of thirds. Every triad has a root (the note the chord is built on), a third (which determines major or minor quality), and a fifth.
Root
The bottom note of the chord. It gives the chord its letter name (e.g., "C" in a C major chord).
Third
The middle note. A major third creates a bright sound; a minor third creates a darker sound.
Fifth
The top note. Usually a perfect fifth above the root, providing stability to the chord.
Major Chords
A major chord is built using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a major scale. Major chords sound bright, happy, and resolved.
In terms of semitones (half steps), a major chord is built with 4 semitones from the root to the third, then 3 semitones from the third to the fifth.
Common Major Chords
| Chord | Root | Major 3rd | Perfect 5th | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Major | C | E | G | C – E – G |
| D Major | D | F♯ | A | D – F♯ – A |
| E Major | E | G♯ | B | E – G♯ – B |
| F Major | F | A | C | F – A – C |
| G Major | G | B | D | G – B – D |
| A Major | A | C♯ | E | A – C♯ – E |
| B Major | B | D♯ | F♯ | B – D♯ – F♯ |
Minor Chords
A minor chord is built the same way as a major chord, but the third is lowered by one semitone. This creates a darker, more melancholic sound.
In semitones: 3 semitones from root to third, then 4 semitones from third to fifth. Notice this is the reverse of the major chord pattern.
To change any major chord to minor, simply lower the middle note (the third) by one semitone. For example, C–E–G becomes C–E♭–G.
Common Minor Chords
| Chord | Root | Minor 3rd | Perfect 5th | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C minor | C | E♭ | G | C – E♭ – G |
| D minor | D | F | A | D – F – A |
| E minor | E | G | B | E – G – B |
| F minor | F | A♭ | C | F – A♭ – C |
| G minor | G | B♭ | D | G – B♭ – D |
| A minor | A | C | E | A – C – E |
| B minor | B | D | F♯ | B – D – F♯ |
Other Chord Types
Beyond major and minor triads, there are several other chord types you'll encounter. Each has a distinct sound and function in music.
Diminished Triad
Formula: Root + minor 3rd + diminished 5th
Semitones: 3 + 3
Example: B° = B – D – F
Sounds tense and unstable. Often resolves to a nearby major or minor chord.
Augmented Triad
Formula: Root + major 3rd + augmented 5th
Semitones: 4 + 4
Example: C+ = C – E – G♯
Sounds dreamy and unresolved. Common in jazz and film scores.
Suspended 2nd (sus2)
Formula: Root + major 2nd + perfect 5th
Semitones: 2 + 5
Example: Csus2 = C – D – G
Open and airy. The third is replaced by the 2nd.
Suspended 4th (sus4)
Formula: Root + perfect 4th + perfect 5th
Semitones: 5 + 2
Example: Csus4 = C – F – G
Creates anticipation. Wants to resolve back to the major chord.
Seventh Chords
Seventh chords add a fourth note — the 7th — on top of a triad. They're richer and more complex than basic triads.
| Type | Symbol | Formula | Example (C) | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major 7th | Cmaj7 | R + M3 + P5 + M7 | C–E–G–B | Warm, jazzy |
| Dominant 7th | C7 | R + M3 + P5 + m7 | C–E–G–B♭ | Bluesy, wants to resolve |
| Minor 7th | Cm7 | R + m3 + P5 + m7 | C–E♭–G–B♭ | Smooth, mellow |
| Diminished 7th | Cdim7 | R + m3 + d5 + d7 | C–E♭–G♭–B𝄫 | Eerie, dramatic |
| Half-Diminished | Cø7 | R + m3 + d5 + m7 | C–E♭–G♭–B♭ | Bittersweet |