The notes of a chord can also be determined by assigning a numeric formula, indicating the tones used from the major scale. For example, based on the C major scale, 1-b3-5 would mean play the root (C), a flatted (E b), and the fifth (G) – a C minor chord!
The chart below is a construction summary of the chord types in this book (based on the key of C only):
C MAJOR SCALE = C-D- E-F-G-A-B-C
(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1)

Chord

A chord is defined as three or more notes played at the same time.Chords provide the harmony that supports the melody of a song.

Sometimes chords are indicated by chord symbols, written above the musical staff. A chord symbol is simply an abbreviation for the name of that chord. For example, the symbol for an C-sharp minor seven chord would be C#m7.

A chord symbol tell us the chord's root and type.

The root gives the chord its name. For example, the root of a C chord is the note C. Unlike trees, however, the root note is not always at the bottom of the chord. Notice the difference in these two types of C chords:

The chord's type is indicated by suffix (m, 7, sus, aug, maj9). The chord types and suffixes listed below:

Building Chords

Chords are built from intervals. An interval is the distance between any two notes. You can see below the basic intervals, using C as a root.

These intervals are divided into two groups, major (M) and perfect (P). 4ths, 5ths, octaves and 11ths are perfect; all other intervals are major.

There are many shapes and sizes of intervals, but they only have five categories, which are major, minor, perfect, augmented and diminished. These categories are related each other.The relations are:

1. A major interval lowered one half step equals a minor interval.



2. A major or perfect interval raised one half step equals an augmented interval.



3. A perfect interval lowered one half step equals a diminished interval.



An interval's type is determined by the number of steps between the two notes.

All of the interval types are reviewed on the following chart: