Chords

A chord is three or more notes sounded together. The most basic chords are triads — built by stacking thirds.

Chord Types

Major (no symbol)

Intervals: 0-4-7 semitones

Minor (m)

Intervals: 0-3-7 semitones

Diminished (dim)

Intervals: 0-3-6 semitones

Augmented (aug)

Intervals: 0-4-8 semitones

Dominant 7th (7)

Intervals: 0-4-7-10 semitones

Major 7th (maj7)

Intervals: 0-4-7-11 semitones

Minor 7th (m7)

Intervals: 0-3-7-10 semitones

Diminished 7th (dim7)

Intervals: 0-3-6-9 semitones

Chord Builder

C: C — E — G

C3D3E3F3G3A3B3C4D4E4F4G4A4B4

Inversions

An inversion rearranges the notes of a chord by moving the bottom note up an octave.

Quiz: Identify the Chord

Question 1 of 4Score: 0

What chord quality do you hear?