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Chords

A triad is formed by combining three notes of a scale:

  1. The root (i.e. the mediant) is the note that the chord itself is named after. For example in a C chord, the root is a C note.
  2. The 3rd (i.e. the mediant) is the note which is two notes after the root note in a scale. In a C chord, the 3rd is an E note. This can be the major 3rd or the minor 3rd, there is a difference.
  3. The 5th (i.e. the dominant), in the same way, is the note which is four notes after the root note in a scale. In a C chord, the 5th is a G note.

This is a C-Major triad, excluding the notes F and D:

https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1619448437628/OQjItCpZE.png

Major vs. Minor Chords

To change a chord from major to minor or vice-versa, you need to modify the 3rd note, i.e. the mediant. In minor chords, you just flatten the 3rd note of the scale.

For example, C-Major has the notes C, E and G. C-Minor, on the other hand, has the notes C, E♭ and G. A C Major chord is represented by the letter "C", whereas a C Minor chord is represented by "Cm".