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Chapter 7 · Chords

Triads: major and minor

5 min Lesson 1/4

Key idea A triad is three notes stacked in thirds: root, third, fifth. Major = major third + minor third (4 + 3 half steps). Minor = minor third + major third (3 + 4).

Take a root, skip a note, take the next, skip one, take the next. On the staff the three notes stack like a snowman: line-line-line or space-space-space.

CEGC
The C (C major) chord: C, E, G.

Major: C

C E G. 4 + 3 half steps. Bright.

Minor: Cm

C E♭ G. 3 + 4 half steps. Darker.

Only the third moves, yet the colour changes completely.

Chord symbols: a letter alone is major (C). A small m means minor (Cm).

CDmEmFGAmB°
A triad on each white key of C major.
  • Major: C, F, G
  • Minor: Dm, Em, Am
  • Diminished: B° (Bdim) = minor third + minor third, tense. Rare at first.
Try it

Press a G chord from G4.

Try it

Press a D chord from D4.

Quick check

Question 1/5

Which notes are in a C major chord?

Keep practicing

Drill Chord builder Press the notes of each chord. Piece Jingle Bells Dotted rhythms over a bass of chord roots and fifths. Piece Eine kleine Nachtmusik Rising arpeggios in both hands, then a melody with sixteenths over repeated bass notes.