← Music Theory · Chords · about 20 min
Chords: major and minor triads
Build any chord, and why some sound happy and some sound sad.
A triad
A triad has three notes: the root, a third above it, and a fifth above it.
Take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a major scale. In C major, that is C, E, G.
Major vs. minor
A major chord has a bright sound. C major is C – E – G.
To make it minor, lower the middle note (the third) by one half step: C – E♭ – G. Minor chords often sound darker or sadder.
C minor
E♭ and D♯ are the same key on the piano.
Chords in a key
Build a triad on each note of the scale, and you get the chords of that key. Roman numerals name them. Capitals are major, lowercase are minor.
| Number | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In C | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | B dim |
| In G | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F♯ dim |