Basic Chord Theory

Basic Chord Theory

General Music

A chord is three or more different pitches sounding simultaneously (at the same time).

Multiple Choice

How many pitches must be sounding at the same time in order to create a chord?

• two or more

• three or more

• four or more

There are lots of different types of chords, but the most common are MAJOR and minor.

MAJOR chords sound sunny and happy :) minor chords sound creepy and sad :o

A chord progression is a pattern of chords.

Chord progressions use roman numerals to show how the chords in the pattern are related.

Let's say we want to make C MAJOR our home chord. It will help us to build a C MAJOR "ladder" (or scale) using the music alphabet.

*Remember: the music alphabet only goes to G and then starts all over again!

By adding the rest of the roman numerals, we can see how the chords are related! This helps us build a successful pattern (progression) based on any home chord we choose.

Multiple Choice

What would the roman numerals look like for a chord progression that went C-Am-F-G (C being the home chord).

• vi-V-IV-I

• I-V-IV-vi

• I-vi-IV-V

Copy (CRTL + C) and paste (CRTL + V) this link into your web browser for practice identifying MAJOR and minor chords. How well can you do?https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-chord