Chords

Chords Although there are many types of chords and chord qualities, we will focus on the basics; Triads and Seventh chords. Triads are 3 note chords stacked in 3rds. ◦ Root, 3 rd, 5 th I-3-5C-E-G 7 th chords are (usually) 4 note chords stacked in 3rds. ◦ Root, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th I-3-5-7C-E-G-B

Chord Qualities There are four main chord qualities that are used regularly in composition. ◦ The examples given are for triads. ◦ MajorM3, m3 (C-E-G) ◦ Minorm3, M3 (C-Eb-G) ◦ Diminishedm3, m3 (C-Eb-Gb) ◦ AugmentedM3, M3 (C-E-G#)

Diatonic Triads and 7 th Chords Diatonic means anything within a given key signature or scale. Order of 3 rd ’s-C E G B D F A C E G B D F A C E G B D F A (etc.) ◦ When stacking notes in thirds, they must be in this order. However, accidentals are not included-they must be added to determine tonality. There is a formula that can be used in both major and minor keys to create triads and 7 th chords when dealing with diatonic keys. ◦ Ex. In a major key, C, there are no sharps and no flats. If you create triads using the “order of 3rds” list in your given key, you will create the following chords: ◦ I (CEG) ii (DFA) iii (EGB) IV (FAC) V (GBD) vi (ACE) vii* (BDF) ◦ It is important to note that the root of each triad follows the C major scale and corresponds to the scale degree of the chord associated to the triad.  I=Major one, Starts on C which is scale degree one.

Diatonic Chord Progressions Major Chord Progression [Triads; Root, 3 rd, 5 th ] I iiiiiIVVviviiº Major Chord Progression [Seventh Chords; Root, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th ] I 7ii 7iii 7IV 7V 7vi 7viiº 7 Minor Chord Progression [Triads] i iiºIIIivVVIviiº Minor Chord Progression [Seventh Chords] i 7iiº 7III7iv 7V 7VI7viiº 7