Chord Theory
In this section we look at the different types of chords typically found in music and how they are constructed. Notes within a chord are identified as chord tones. Therefore we can define a chord as a collection of chord tones stacked on top of one another. Chord tones are labelled by using a standard number system to indicate its’ relevant scale degree.
Power Chords
Section titled “Power Chords”Power Chords are typically found in rock music and contain the root and 5th note.
| Chord | Chord Tones | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Power Chord | 1, 5 | 5 |
Triads
Section titled “Triads”Triads consist of 3 notes. The 3rd determines tonality (major or minor):
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 1, 3, 5 | nil or maj |
| Minor | 1, ♭3, 5 | m or min |
| Diminished | 1, ♭3, ♭5 | dim |
| Augmented | 1 ♯3 ♯5 | aug |
Suspensions (sus)
Section titled “Suspensions (sus)”Suspended chords replace the 3rd with either the 2nd or the 4th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended 2nd | 1, 2, 5 | sus2 |
| Suspended 4th | 1, 4, 5 | sus4 |
Additions (add)
Section titled “Additions (add)”Addition chords add either the 9th/ 2nd or the 11th degree to a triad.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major add9 | 1, 3, 5, 9 | add9 or maj add2 |
| Minor add9 | 1, ♭3, 5, 9 | m add9 or min add2 |
| Major add11 | 1, 3, 5, 11 | add11 or maj add11 |
| Minor add11 | 1, ♭3, 5, 11 | m add11 or min add11 |
Extensions
Section titled “Extensions”Sixths (6ths)
Section titled “Sixths (6ths)”Sixths are built on top of triads by adding the 6th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major 6 | 1, 3, 5, 6 | 6 or maj6 |
| Minor 6 | 1, ♭3, 5, 6 | m or min6 |
Sevenths (7ths)
Section titled “Sevenths (7ths)”Sevenths are built on top of triads by adding the 7th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major 7 | 1, 3, 5, 7 | maj7 |
| Dominant 7 | 1, 3, 5, ♭7 | 7 or dom7 |
| Minor 7 | 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7 | m7 or min7 |
| Minor 7 ♭5 (half diminished) | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7 | m7♭5 or min7♭5 |
| Diminished 7 | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭♭7 | dim7 |
| Augmented 7 | 1, 3, ♯5, 7 | aug7 |
| Minor Major 7 | 1, ♭3, 5, 7 | majmin7 |
Ninths (9ths)
Section titled “Ninths (9ths)”Ninths are built on top of sevenths by adding the 9th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major 9 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 | maj9 |
| Dominant 9 | 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9 | 9 or dom9 |
| Minor 9 | 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9 | m9 or min9 |
| Minor 9 ♭5 (half diminished) | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7, 9 | m9♭5 or min9♭5 |
| Diminished 9 | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭♭7, 9 | dim9 |
| Augmented 9 | 1, 3, ♯5, 7, 9 | aug9 |
| Minor Major 9 | 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9 | majmin9 |
Elevenths (11ths)
Section titled “Elevenths (11ths)”Elevenths are built on top of ninths by adding the 11th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major 11 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 | maj11 |
| Dominant 11 | 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9, 11 | 11 or dom11 |
| Minor 11 | 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9, 11 | m11 or min11 |
| Minor 11 ♭5 (half diminished) | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7, 9, 11 | m11♭5 or min11♭5 |
| Minor Major 11 | 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9, 11 | majmin11 |
Thirteenths (13ths)
Section titled “Thirteenths (13ths)”Thirteenths are built on top of elevenths by adding the 13th degree.
| Chord Name | Chord Tones | Chord Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Major 13 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13 | maj13 |
| Dominant 13 | 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9, 13 | 13 or dom13 |
| Minor 13 | 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9, 13 | m13 or min13 |
| Minor 13 ♭5 (half diminished) | 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7, 9, 13 | m13♭5 or min13♭5 |
| Minor Major 13 | 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9, 13 | majmin13 |