A major chord consists of three notes connected by interval relationships to its root note, creating an attractive musical statement.
When viewing a chord chart, numbers inside dots indicate which fingers of your fretting hand should place on each string and fret: index finger (1), middle finger (2) and pinky (3).
Triads
Triads are chords composed of three notes that can be stacked vertically into thirds. Triads are one of the most frequently-used chords in Western classical, popular, and traditional music and there are four main types: major, minor, diminished and augmented triads. Each type possesses distinct musical qualities and tonal qualities.
A major triad is composed of three notes – its root note, middle note (known as the third), and top note – known as the fifth. It has intervals consisting of major third at its base note and perfect fifth above it which creates an upbeat, joyful sounding chord progression.
The chart below displays the different triad shapes on strings 1, 2, and 3. Memorise them and use them when building chords in root position with closed spacing – duplicating or open spacing do not affect identification of triad shapes and will make your chords sound more authentic. This principle should help make chording sound natural.
Major Thirds
A chord’s major or minor quality can be defined by its interval between its first and second notes; for instance, a major third spans two whole steps while its counterpart – a minor third – requires only one whole step plus half step to form its chord structure.
This unique trait of chords can help break you out of a scale rut where solos simply sound like stepwise progression. Additionally, shifting chords two to three frets gives more options when building and inverting chords.
Major thirds are an essential element in any major key chord, and are featured prominently in such iconic classics as ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ and ‘Losing My Religion. Additionally, their easy identification on guitar makes major thirds instantly recognisable – another reason that makes us familiar with them!
Open Chords
Once you understand basic barre chord forms, they should move easily up and down the fretboard – though that does not limit your chord playing to these fixed positions – you can also create rich sounding open position voicings of major chords for an exciting musical experience!
These chords are usually marked on guitar chord charts with an “O” (such as in this A major open chord chart). An ‘O” signifies a string that should not be fretted but rather should be played open (i.e. strumming).
This open voicing of an A major chord uses the F major shape at the fifth fret with full barre performed with one finger instead of using an F major shape at all frets, as well as including a low E string for extra playing convenience and larger hands. This chord can also be read as C add nine (or G slash E minor seven for those versed in music theory).
Suspended Chords
Suspension chords are formed when a major or minor chord’s third note is replaced by another note, creating an opaque or mysterious sound which can add tension. Depending on which note is raised by suspension, this could either be called sus2 or sus4 chord (for instance Gsus4 may resolve either to C major or C minor), while any suspension that contains non-chord notes are often called retardations chords since their resolution notes tend to move slowly upwards from its bass note (in this instance B).
Suspension chords add an intriguing dissonance to major chords, creating an engaging sound. But they should never be the final chord in a song because this can sound unsatisfying and discordant. A great example of how to use suspensions effectively in songwriting can be found here in Gnarls Barkley’s hit “Crazy”, using an Gsus4 to G progression throughout.
An effective major chords chart provides the easiest way to understand how most common major chords are constructed. Triad-based triads make up these chords and their notes correspond with scale degrees from the major scale.
Each chord begins with its root note and then incorporates middle and top notes from scale degree order to create its melody.
Triads
Triads are the foundation of chord progressions. Understanding how to form these basic chords and relate them to your key signature can help you quickly create harmonically sound music. Though their construction may seem straightforward, triads add incredible layers of complexity to songs; from joyful major triads that lift spirits right up through deeply-felt minor triads with sadder tones bringing their own character and depth.
A triad’s quality is determined by its interval between its root and third notes; major triads feature major third intervals while minor ones boast minor ones.
When identifying a triad, it’s essential to keep in mind octave equivalence and open spacing. Doublings and wide intervals may obscure identification of chords; therefore it is best to focus on chords without doubled intervals (Example 12a). Also note that an raised degree sign (+) attached to pitch letter names denotes diminished triads while no such indication denotes augmented ones (see Example 13b).
Major Scales
The major scale is one of the cornerstones of tonal music. Composed of seven pitch classes arranged in an order that determines its sound and mood, its use provides an effective musical foundation.
Every major scale begins and ends with two identical notes that are an octave apart; this note is known as its keynote; we name all other notes of the scale by starting from it. Thereafter, whole-step progressions follow along a cycle known as W-W-H to complete it.
There are three methods of labeling scale degrees: letter names, solfege syllables and numbering. It’s essential that one understands and can effectively use all three systems – each serves a distinct purpose.
Open Strings
Most chords utilize closed strings; however, open string chords may also be appropriate depending on the musical context and playing style of each bassist. Experimentation & listening to experienced jazz bass players may help guide your decision when to utilize open string chords in chord progressions.
Note: To properly gauge a chord’s “openness”, it is crucial to recognize that half steps refer to the distance between two adjacent notes on the keyboard (or fretboard), regardless of their white or black status. For instance, between C and the next black key C# (3 half steps).
This A major chord uses a first finger barre and leaves out the fifth string, providing people with larger fingers an easier time playing this shape while creating an appealing sound in certain contexts.
Scale Positions
As part of your major scale study, it can be helpful to examine its various positions as they correspond with chord shapes on the fretboard. This will enable you to understand how certain chords create specific moods that you didn’t expect or expect altogether.
Every major scale degree contains chords that can be created from it, which you can discover using a major scale chart that displays each shape next to its scale position.
Take, for example, the A form scale pattern shown above; it connects with both C shape scale pattern an octave higher and E form scale pattern one more octave higher; similarly for all of the other scale patterns. Memorizing these shapes will enable you to play major scales and their chords in any key on guitar.