Chords can add rhythm and depth to any progression, as well as being easy to experiment with by dropping notes to create different variations on a chord.
These modifications may produce different sounds, yet still bears its name because all its notes remain constant.
Major
Major chords are among the most prevalent musical patterns and can be found across genres and musical traditions. Comprised of three notes that form the first, third, and fifth scale notes respectively – known collectively as a “triad.”
Major chords feature three notes that are four half steps (or an octave) above their root note, known as the third note in each Major chord. When playing it on guitar, place your pointer finger at the second fret of the fourth string; your middle and ring fingers should then rest at their respective fifth frets on D and G strings to play one chord at a time.
Some genres employ variations of the Major chord known as Major seventh or major ninth chords to add an extra major third to triad triad. Both these forms share many of the same effects.
Minor
Minor chords offer a warmer, less steely sound than major ones, while still possessing dissonant qualities to heighten their mysterious qualities. A minor 7 fits well within the darkness of a minor 3, creating a kind of dagger in a night of noir imagery!
To find a minor chord in any key, count six notes back from its starting note in that scale – so in F major the relative minor is D, which you can build using all the same ingredients as any other triad in that key.
Minor seventh chords combine a major triad with the seventh degree of the minor scale to form what’s commonly referred to as a C major 7 chord, or sometimes even C7.
Dominant
The dominant chord is an essential element in blues, rock and other genres of music. Not to be confused with diatonic dominant chords – they serve a separate purpose by adding seventh intervals between triads – it serves to heighten tension and anticipation when songs feature dominant chords.
These chords can be extended further to form dominant 11-13-9 chords – each composed from the same stacked thirds construction but featuring an additional major seventh to give them their dominant feel. These chords are ideal for modulations because they provide an effective push towards the new key’s tonic note.
Suspended
Suspended chords are an excellent way to add movement to any progression. Derived from triads by replacing the third scale degree with either the second (sus2) or fourth (sus4) interval, suspended chords create chords which sound neither major nor minor due to not having their third scale degree as an indicator of key.
Suspended chords are difficult to resolve in conventional fashion due to the dissonant interval above, making them challenging for musicians to work with. Instead, suspended chords seem to prefer an downward resolution of their parent chord instead. As such, suspended chords are often used as pedal points in cadence progressions like Hey Jude – another use is post-bop and modern jazz music where suspended chords appear often as pedal points as well.
Alternate
Alternate chords are designed to add variety to a progression by offering different sounds or feelings; often used in songs for creating distinctive sounds. Although more complex to play than standard chords, alternate chords will expand your harmonic repertoire as a guitarist.
An alternate chord example would be the Sus2 Chord, a common alternative to an F Major Chord that adds the fourth for a darker sound and used by bands such as Queensryche and Dream Theater to give their music its signature sound. Furthermore, this chord can also be used in II-V-I progressions to produce a descending bassline effect.