Introduction to Chords

Until now we worked with notes and intervals separately. The chord is the next step: two thirds stacked one on top of the other give us a group of notes that sound at the same time.

01What a triad is

A triad consists of three notes. The first, lowest note is called the root. From there you go up a third and find the chord's third. From the third you go up another third and find the fifth.

Example: the C major chord is C-E-G. C is the root, E is the third (a third above C), G is the fifth (a third above E).

02Major and minor chords

These are the two most common types. Their difference is which third sits on the bottom.

In the major chord the lower third (root to third) is major (2 tones) and the upper one (third to fifth) is minor (1½ tones). The result sounds bright. Example: C-E-G.

In the minor chord the lower third is minor (1½ tones) and the upper one is major (2 tones). The sound turns darker. Example: C-E♭-G.

Major and minor chord

C major

C-E-G · bright

C minor

C-E♭-G · dark

03Augmented and diminished chords

The remaining two types are rarer and have a more tense sound.

The augmented chord has two major thirds. The fifth is raised by a semitone compared to the major chord. Example: C-E-G♯.

The diminished chord has two minor thirds. The fifth is lowered by a semitone compared to the minor chord. Example: C-E♭-G♭.

Augmented and diminished chord

C augmented

C-E-G♯ · two major thirds

C diminished

C-E♭-G♭ · two minor thirds