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Guitar Chord Chemistry

But for chords to make sense and have predictability, they have to be constructed according to certain rules. Certain basic intervals above or below the defining tone the tonic, First note using a major scale determines the type of chord. A chord can be built on any tone, we must follow certain rules to construct specific types of chords.

Again using the C maj for demonstration purposes, is where we start.

If needed, other keys can be transposed from the root note using the same sequence of intervals between relative notes. See also intervals

Lets start with the C Maj chord, Which consist of using two major 3rds stacked on top each other.

Starting at C move up a 3rd to E, Also known as a major 3rd above C. Next from E we move up another major 3rd that takes us to G. We come up with C E G. Using a piano keyboard this can easily be seen. This forms a major chord which is a good chord to learn first and build other types of chords manipulating the notes of the major chord.

G

E

C

We now look at a new chord the minor. A minor chord consist of a minor 3rd on top of a major third.

In our simplified example the E in the C E G chord is flattened, to form the C Minor chord C Eb G.

G Eb

C

Find these chord forms Major and Minor from preceding lessons, and practice playing them.

We now look at a new chord the Diminished. A diminished chord consist of a minor 3rd on top of a minor third.

In our simplified example the E in the C E G chord is flattened, also the G is flattenedto form the C diminished chord C Eb Gb.

Gb

Eb

c

We now look at a new chord the augmented. An augmented chord consist of a raised major 3rd, raised by a half tone on top of a major third.

In our simplified example the G in the C E G chord is raised a half tone, to form the C augmented chord C E G#.

G#

E

C

So these are the four basic types of chords: Major C E G

Minor C Eb G

Diminished C Eb Gb

Augmented C E G#

From these four basic types of chords we can produce an endless variety of music.

If you can understand the concept of these four types of chords all other chords are variations of these. The variations usually involve adding notes above these musically. See extended chords to see how added notes affect chords.

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Wilbert

Guitar chord chemistry