Chord Construction

Lesson 2/65 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Beginner Guitar Theory

Chord Construction

Chords are usually made up of combinations of major and minor third intervals. The simplest chords are made up of three notes and are called triads. There are four basic types of triads: major, minor, augmented and diminished. Examples of each of these triads are shown as follows, along with the formula for each one.

C Major Chord

C Minor Chord

C Augmented Chord

C Diminished Chord

By using the formulas shown on the previous page, you can easily work out the notes for any type of triad beginning on any note. E.g., to form an A major chord you would begin with the note A and then add a major 3rd above it (C#) and then a minor 3rd above that (E).

To form a D# diminished chord, you would begin with a D# note and then add a minor 3rd above it (F#) and then another minor 3rd above that (A). To help you become more familiar with the four types of triads, write the required notes above the root notes in the following exercise to create the triads indicated.

Previous Lesson Next Lesson

Peter Gelling

Product Designer

4.79

Profile

Class Sessions

1- Transposing 2- Glossary of Musical Terms 3- Simple and Compound Time 4- Sixteenth Notes 5- Triplets 6- Minor Key Scale Tone Triads 7- Minor Keys and Scales 8- Scale Tone Chords 9- Chord Construction 10- Chords 11- Intervals 12- INTRODUCTION 13- Keys and Key Signatures 14- The Major Scale 15- Learning All the Notes 16- The Lead-In 17- How to Read Music 18- Dotted Notes 19- Note Values 20- Slurs 21- Approach to Practice 22- Swing Rhythms 23- Tablature 24- Chords in Other Minor Keys 25- Minor Scales in All Keys 26- Major Key Triad Pattern 27- Double Sharps And Double Flats 28- Fingering Variations 29- Naming Intervals 30- C Chromatic Scale 31- Time Signatures 32- Ties 33- Tones and Semitones 34- Major Scales in All Keys 35- The Octave 36- Scale Tone Chords in All Keys 37- Dynamics 38- Electronic Tuner 39- Transposing in Minor Keys 40- The Left Hand 41- Relative Keys 42- C Major Scale in Open Position 43- Rhythm Notation 44- Interval Types 45- Rests 46- Enharmonic Notes 47- Summary of Scale Tone Chords 48- Volume Changes 49- Music Notation 50- Interval Distances 51- Major Scale Pattern 52- Harmonic Minor Scale Tone Chords 53- Learning the Notes on the Staff 54- The Unison 55- Common Progressions 56- The G Major Scale 57- Tempo Markings 58- Melodic Minor Scale Tone Chords 59- The Open Strings of the Guitar 60- Tempo Changes 61- The F Major Scale 62- Chord Shapes 63- Identifying Intervals by Ear 64- Notes in the Open Position 65- Other Major Scales

GDPR

When you visit any of our websites, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and manage your preferences. Please note, that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Chord Construction