Chords

Two or more notes sounding together are known as a chord.

Triads

A triad is a chord of three notes. For example, C – E – G is the C major triad. C is the root note, E is the 3rd note of the scale, and G is the 5th.

The two main kinds of triad are called major and minor. The major triad has a major 3rd (eg C – E – G) and the minor triad has a minor 3rd (eg C – E flat – G).

Dominant and subdominant

In any major key, the chords built on the first, fourth and fifth degrees of the scale are all major. In the key of C, these are the chords of C, F and G. They are also sometimes called I, IV and V (for 1st, 4th and 5th in Roman numerals).

The chord built on the first note of the scale, I, is called the tonic. The chord built on the fourth IV is called the subdominant and the V is called the dominant. These chords are also known as the first, fourth and fifth degrees of the scale.

All the chords built on other notes in the scale of C are minor, except chord VII (the notes B D F) which is diminished.

Sevenths

When a seventh is added to a chord this is known as a seventh chord. The dominant seventh of a V chord can be shown by the symbol V7.

For example G7 is made by taking the major triad of G (G – B – D) and adding an F (G – B – D – F).

Types of chord

• A concord is a chord where all the notes seem to 'agree' with each other, it feels at rest and complete in itself.
• A discord is a chord where some notes seem to 'disagree' or clash giving an unsettled feel.
• Diatonic harmony uses notes which belong to the key.
• Chromatic harmony uses notes from outside the key to give the chords more 'colour'.