Major chords emit an upbeat and optimistic sound that conveys joy. Many popular Classical and pop songs use major keys.
A chord’s shape is determined by the interval between its base note and third note; for this reason, bass notes in major chords are identified with circles to represent this relationship.
Scales
A chord chart can provide an effective introduction to chords. It displays all major triad chords associated with any key and scale (such as C Major contains C, E and G notes) while extensions do not. (the names may differ between charts.)
Major triad chords can be created by starting on each scale degree (also referred to as an interval) and following the rules for adding and subtracting whole and half steps. You can also add a seventh to create major 7 chords found across various musical genres.
There are also more advanced sequences that may be utilized, including augmented chords (which contain the seventh but add an extra note) and diminished chords (less popular). See below for further information regarding these intervals and their related chords.
Triads
A triad is any chord composed of three notes (or pitch classes) which can be stacked vertically into thirds. Common types include major, minor and diminished.
Each triad can appear in several arrangements known as inversions, which alter its feel without altering its quality or harmonic function.
Triads may also include additional notes added above the root to form extensions, giving rise to augmented and dominant 7th chords.
To visually represent a triad on a staff, draw its root note first before adding two circles for its third and fifth chords above it. To complete its appearance as a snowperson shape, write any accidentals from its key signature on top. When its bass voice differs from that of its root note, this is known as being in first or second inversion and requires using a figured bass symbol for identification.
Barres
Basic major chords cover the I, IV and V degrees of any key (see chart above), but some chords are difficult to play open and must instead be played using barre chords due to root notes being on strings that are difficult to reach with fingers such as high E string (ouch!).
When playing a barre chord, it’s essential that each string be pressed evenly and not too hard; excessive force could mute certain strings and produce an unpleasant sound. Furthermore, your fingertips must remain at an appropriate distance from the fretboard; too shallow an angle would produce unwanted results.
By sliding open shapes of major chords up and down the fretboard, you can generate various barre chord variations. For instance, moving an open G shape up to string 6’s third fret yields the A major barre chord.
Dots
Some chords may include dots that indicate which strings to play and which to skip; it is essential that these dots be understood, since playing an open string can drastically change the sound of a chord. Black dots usually represent fret numbers for where fingers should be placed; if one of the strings lacks this dot it indicates playing it open (ie without fretting).
Dots can also be used to add notes to a chord, for instance using Csus2 as an indication that a third should be replaced with an interval above it, for instance major second (C-D-G).
Chord charts may also feature symbols such as Xs and Os, which indicate which strings should be skipped and played as-is (ie without fretting). Sometimes the black dots contain finger numbers for each chord, though you will have to learn which fingers go with which chord on your own.