Reference · module 6
Chords
Everything this module explains, on one page.
Triads
Build a three-note chord and name it by its root.
- A chord is several notes sounding together. The most common one, the triad, stacks three notes, each a third above the one below: a root, a third and a fifth.
- On the staff a triad looks like a snowman: three notes on three lines in a row, or in three spaces in a row. C E G is the C major triad, and C is its root.
- To build a triad on any white key, take every other key: D F A, E G B, F A C, G B D. The chord is named after its root, the bottom note.
The mistake you are about to make
C D E = a triad
C E G = a triad
Three neighbouring notes played together are a chord of sorts, so they seem to count. A triad stacks thirds; neighbouring notes just rub against each other.
Major and minor chords
Tell a major chord from a minor one, by counting and by ear.
- A major triad has a major third at the bottom, 4 semitones, and a minor third above it, 3 more. C E G is 4 then 3, and that is why it sounds bright.
- A minor triad swaps them: minor third first, then major. A C E is 3 then 4 semitones. The outer notes still make a perfect fifth; only the middle note has moved.
- Lower the third of a major chord by a semitone and it turns minor: C E G becomes C E♭ G. One key changes, and bright turns wistful.
The mistake you are about to make
C minor = C E G♭
C minor = C E♭ G
Minor sounds like something is lowered, and the top note seems the obvious one. It is the middle note, the third, that drops.
Chord progressions
Find chords I, IV and V in a key and hear a cadence.
- Chords in a key are numbered by the scale step they are built on. In C major the chord on C is I, on F is IV and on G is V. Roman numerals keep the pattern the same in every key.
- I, IV and V are the three major chords of a major key, and a huge number of songs use little else. In G major they are G, C and D.
- Moving from V back to I sounds like arriving home. That ending is called a cadence, and your ear expects it even if you have never heard the word.
The mistake you are about to make
in G major, IV = F
in G major, IV = C
In C major IV is F, so the numeral feels tied to the letter. Numerals count steps from the tonic: from G, the fourth step is C.