Section outline

  • It is common to see a chord as a structure of major and minor thirds. 

    A major triad contains a major third with a minor third stacked above it,

    Major triad :



    For example in C major C-E-G

    • C-E is M3
    • E-G is m3

    Chord label for a major triad is the root note:

    C D E F G A B

    • sharp roots C# D# E# F# G# A# (B#)
    • flat roots Cb Db Eb (Fb) Gb Ab Bb