Basic Chord Theory

​What are Chords?

​A chord, in music, is any harmonic set of pitches/frequencies consisting of multiple notes (also called "pitches") that are heard as if sounding simultaneously.

In a simple language :

When two or more notes are played together, it's called a CHORD.

​Formula for major and minor triads

​Major Chord Formula:

The chord formula for major chords is 1-3-5.

We take the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th note of the major scale to create this chord.

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Example: So a C Major chord has the notes C-E-G because the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th are C, E and G

Note Number	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th
Note	C	D	E	F	G	A	B

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Minor Chord Formula:

The formula for minor chords is 1 - b3 (flat 3) - 5.

It's similar to the major chord except that the middle note has been lowered by a

In other words the distance (or interval) between the root and the 3rd is smaller than in the major chord.

That interval is called a minor 3rd and that's why the chord is called MINOR.

Example: So a C minor chord has the notes C-Eb-G because the 1^st, b3^rd, and 5^th are C, Eb (D#) and G

​All Major and Minor Chords

​12 most common major chords:

1. C major (C). C - E - G

2. C# major (C#). C# - E# - G#

3. D major (D). D - F# - A

4. Eb major (Eb). Eb - G - Bb

5. E major (E). E - G# - B

6. F major (F). F - A - C

7. F# major (F#). F# - A# - C#

8. G major (G). G - B - D

9. Ab major (Ab). Ab - C - Eb

10. A major (A). A - C# - E

11. Bb major (Bb). Bb - D - F

12. B major (B). B - D# - F#

​12 most common minor chords:

1. C minor (Cm). C - Eb - G

2. C# minor (C#m). C# - E - G#

3. D minor (Dm). D - F -A

4. Eb minor (Ebm). Eb - Gb - Bb

5. E minor (Em). E - G - B

6. F minor (Fm). F - Ab - C

7. F# minor (F#m). F# - A - C#

8. G minor (Gm). G - Bb - D

9. Ab minor (Abm). Ab - Cb - Eb

10. A minor (Am). A - C - E

11. Bb minor (Bbm). Bb - Db - F

12. B minor (Bm). B - D - F#

​Basic Guitar Chords (1/2)

​​Basic Guitar Chords (2/2)

​All Piano Chords