Chords can be written using many symbols that each represent some aspect of their chord’s makeup. For instance, flat major chords contain four flats to represent this fact and will ultimately produce major-triads when played back on an instrument!
Chords generally fall into two distinct categories: major and minor. While major chords sound upbeat and optimistic, minor chords can often create feelings of melancholy or sadness.
Triads
Triads are simple three-note consonant chords that form the fundamental harmonic framework for tonal music. Triads serve as the building blocks for all other chord types: augmented, diminished and major. To quickly identify whether any given chord is a triad, arrange its notes in a circle of thirds – those built around the tonic note are considered major; those on other scale degrees constitute minor; while diminished versions comprised of notes from Re and Ti (2(2) and 7(7)) notes can also be considered diminished.
Major or tertian triads are among the simplest of all triads and are extremely prevalent in tonal music.
Every triad consists of three intervals that differ by an integer fraction: two short ones known as thirds forming its outer edges and a longer interval called the fifth; its three notes are then identified according to which scale degree they come from.
Most triads can be written as one musical block with the root note at the bottom, followed by third note and then fifth. This arrangement is known as root position of a chord; sometimes three notes in this configuration is also called the “snowman shape.”
On a lead sheet for a major triad, the lowest note is always written first and marked with a square root symbol. The middle note can be identified using an arrow which points towards its next pitch up the scale; finally, its fifth note can be identified using another arrow which points back down towards tonic pitch.
A triad inversion is a transformation in note arrangements without altering its quality or harmonic function; thus presenting new possibilities for chord construction and voice leading.
Once you have mastered diatonic triads, you can begin creating them at any scale degree. As a guideline, use your scale chart of any key and identify tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) triads using roman numerals; chord iii in C minor contains notes C-Eb-G while Chord IV in Db major seventh contains Db-F-Ab. Likewise Chord vi in G minor seventh flat five has G-Bb-Db-F containing notes G -Bb – Db -F.
Triad Inversions
Triads make an ideal starting point when learning chords because they can be used in various positions to produce various sounds and rhythms. You can play them any rhythm or style you like as long as the fundamentals are mastered – since triads consist of three notes that can change their order and change the sound of a chord altogether.
C major triads can be played either first or third inversion, as can minor A, B and C triads (the order may change slightly), yet changing its order doesn’t alter its composition – though it does affect its sound.
Attaining knowledge of both root position and inversion triads is essential for recognition by their sound, as well as for practicing ear training – you’ll have an organized set of sounds at your disposal that you can recall and utilize whenever needed.
Inversions of triads differ from their original chord by having their lowest note shifted up or down an octave. While this does not affect the sound of the chord itself, playing an inverted triad requires changing your hand placement on the fretboard and becoming more challenging overall.
Note that triads are composed of three notes stacked in thirds, so any inversion can have its lowest note be either the root, third, or fifth inversions. A chord can be said to be “in root position” when its lowest note is its root; otherwise it can be considered in first inversion when its lowest note is its third inversion.
Increase your chord knowledge by expanding to other types of triads, seventh chords and extended chords – including tetrads, seventh chords and extended chords – into your repertoire. Doing this will add variety and depth to your songs by providing new harmonies and melodies – not to mention practicing chord inversions with up to six notes!
Four-Note Chords
Chords vary from triads, which only have three notes, in that most have four or more notes to create their unique sound. Chords with more than three notes are often called tetrads or polychords and typically stack third intervals while other varieties might not – these types are known as altered chords.
Any chord can be altered to become major, minor, or diminished by altering its 9th, 11th and 13th notes – including changing its lower or upper octaves to create more or less tension in its structure – as demonstrated in the table below.
These chords can be found in all keys, including flat major. Major chords contain notes C-D-E-F or G on their bottom notes while minor chords have B-A-D or E on top notes. Beethoven often used this key; more recently some musicians like Adele use this key such as her song Rolling in the Deep written in this key.
To identify different kinds of chords, you can look at either their names or symbols on a keyboard – the names indicate what kind of chord it is while symbols show their intervals between notes. Furthermore, you can view their key signature and identify what chord type exists (for instance a flat major chord contains four flats).
Minor chords are slightly more complex. Relative minor of A flat major uses harmonic minor scale chords which contain more diminished and augmented chords than their natural minor counterpart. Examples of relative minor of A flat major include:
Notes in these chords can be modified, but this must be done carefully so as not to lose tension or become diminished chords. Modifications are indicated with upper or lower case Roman numerals and an “m” (or circle in the upper right-hand corner for diminished chords), so chords with an upper case Roman numeral indicate major chords while those with a lower case Roman numeral indicate minor ones.
Chord Progression
Once you’ve mastered triad chords in your key, the next step should be four note extended chords. Although more complex, with additional fingering techniques required to master them they can sound very powerful and captivating when combined into progressions that change the feel of songs while adding variety to rhythm playing.
First step of creating a chord progression is identifying its root chords. This can be accomplished either through listening to music or visually inspecting fretboard notes; once identified, try out all variations for that root to get an understanding of how it sounds.
Next, determine the chord that will accompany that root. For instance, an F Major triad could form the basis of various F chords: Major, Minor or Diminished chords can all be created from it; each option adds different tones to your soundscape so listen out for how each sounds!
Once you understand which chords can be constructed on each scale degree, creating a progression is much simpler. Just keep in mind that all chords must meet with the key signature of your song’s key; otherwise, sharps need to be flattened before using them for chording purposes in the key signature of that particular song.
G major scale features three major chords (I, IV and V), two minor chords (iii and iv) and one diminished chord (viio). Meanwhile, B flat scale contains three major chords (B, C and D), one minor chord (i) and three augmented chords (A7B7).
Chord progressions can be easily transposed to any key by matching up their patterns with appropriate scale degrees, making learning the fretboard notes extremely valuable in this respect. By doing this, it enables you to see how progressions will appear when changed up or down in key.