Chords are groups of notes played together that create a specific feeling when played together in context. A good grasp of music theory is vital for all musicians regardless of instrument chosen.
Major chords make an excellent place to start, since they’re easy to play and produce an upbeat sound.
Triads
Every musician encounters chords, whether consciously or otherwise. Chords form the core of musical harmony, making up most of what we hear and play. Chords consist of three consecutive notes stacked one upon another – they can be classified either major or minor depending on their interval structure – where major chords feature a major third interval between root and middle notes or minor third intervals between middle and top notes respectively.
Addition of sevenths to three-note triads creates extended chords, each having their own name depending on which scale it belongs to – for instance a C major 7th chord is known as Cadd9 while an F#m7 would have an F#dim equivalent. These seventh chords may also be known as augmented or diminished chords; an augmented chord would be written with “+”, while diminished ones with an “dim”. For instance Bm7 and F#dim both correspond with 7th interval chords created through these methods are often augmented or diminished respectively – for instance bm7 would correspond with chords written with “+”, while an F#dim would create extended chords with 7th intervals added on to basic three note chord triad chord.
Major and minor chords
Many people recognize that major chords produce happier sounds than minor ones, as they feature both a major third and perfect fifth above the root, giving a positive tone. Although these elements comprise the basic construction of a major chord, jazz music often adds additional notes such as sevenths or ninths that provide even greater complexity to its major chords.
Researchers were intrigued to discover that people in Papua New Guinea with limited or no exposure to Western music do not share an emotional response to chords and melodies found there, suggesting our responses might be more culturally driven than previously believed.
Extended and altered chords
Expanding their chord vocabulary beyond the basics, extended and altered chords offer an excellent place to start. While more challenging to finger, extended and altered chords still follow the same harmonic function of seventh chords by creating dissonant tension that resolves into consonant tonicity.
Chord extensions such as 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths add extra color to a chord by including extra notes that weren’t part of its original triad. Alternations refers to raising or lowering one semitone from each original chord note in order to produce new sounds – or the opposite effect could also occur!
Ninths are by far the most frequently employed extensions in popular music, largely because they resemble dominant seventh chords and provide songs with a distinct sound that stands out. Elevenths and thirteenths may also provide unique extensions that accentuate tension within chord progressions.
Chord progressions
When creating a song, selecting the chord progression is one of the most critical decisions you must make. As the foundation on which melody and rhythm rests, its importance cannot be overstated. As a composer, your aim should be to craft unique and memorable progressions – there are various methods available to accomplish this!
Chord progressions are an effective way to add structure and create interest to a song. From basic chords like major and minor to more intricate ones such as 7th or 9th chords or suspended chords (which remove the 3rd and create dissonant sounds), there is something suitable for every situation and genre!
For instance, the I – vi – iv – V progression is widely utilized and works well in any key. It can be particularly helpful in pop and rock music such as Weezer’s Island in the Sun; and can even create a reggae feel or doo-wop style sound.