This particular post will be aimed at basic guitar chord theory, such as the different types of chords and how chords are formed. I believe this is the very first thing any new musician should understand.
A chord is a type of musical structure - for example, C major chord contains the notes C, E and G, therefore C, E and G are the building blocks of C major. Think of these building blocks as intervals rather than individual notes.
A chord can be built by selecting the 1st note. This is called the root note as it is the 1st note in the scale. (Root note is sometimes abbreviated as R.) For example, for chords Gmaj, Gm or G7, the root note is G. Likewise for C#maj, C#m or C#7, the root note is C.
I will base my learnings on the key of A for simplicity's sake:
A (1) | A# | B (2) | C | C# (3) | D (4) | D# | E (5) | F | F# (6) | G | G# (7)
*Note that there isn't any alphabet between (3) and (4). It's the same with all other keys. So do take note when you are writing these out.
Major Triads (1 3 5)
A major triad consists of a root note (1), a major 3rd (3) and a perfect 5th (5) above the root note.
For example, an Amaj chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3) and E (5).
Minor Triads (1 b3 5)
A minor triad consists of a root note (1), a minor 3rd (b3) and a perfect 5th (5) above the root note.
For example, an Am chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3) and E (5).
Suspended Chords (1 2 5 or 1 4 5)
Suspended triads are chords that do not contain a major or minor 3rd, but contain either a 2nd (2) or a 4th (4).
For example, an Asus2 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), B (2) and E (5).
Then again, an Asus4 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), D (4) and E (5).
In a nutshell, suspended chords means "no 3rd". Suspended chords are neither major nor minor.
Augmented Chords (1 3 #5)
Augmented triads are similar to major triads, consisting a root (1), a major 3rd (3) and a sharp 5th (#5).
For example, an Aaug chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3) and F (#5).
Diminished Chords (1 b3 b5)
Diminished triads are similar to minor triads, consisting a root (1), a minor 3rd (b3) and a flat 5th (b5).
For example, an Adim chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3) and D# (b5).
*From this point on, the chords will have 4 building blocks instead of 3. Things are gonna get a little messy as I am exploring chords that won't really be used on a guitar. So here's a little recap about the scale of A for reference purposes.
A (1) | A# | B (2) | C | C# (3) | D (4) | D# | E (5) | F | F# (6) | G | G# (7)
7th Chords
The 7th chord is an add-on to the chords and triads covered above.
A major 7th chord (1 3 5 7) is a major triad with an added 7th (7). These chords are described as dreamy and relaxing as they are lacking tension.
For example, an Amaj7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3), E (5) and G# (7).
A dominant 7th chord (1 3 5 b7) contains a flat 7th (b7) instead of a major 7th, but is still part of the major triads.
For example, an Adom7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3), E (5) and G (b7).
*The 5th of these chords will sometimes be left out (as it is a neutral tone) just to accommodate a certain fingering position. What matters is the dominant 7th sound is still there.
A minor 7th chord (1 b3 5 b7) is a minor triad with an added flat 7th (b7).
For example, an Am7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), E (5) and G (b7).
A minor major 7th chord (1 b3 5 7) is a one confusing chord, but it's basically a minor triad consisting of an added 7th (7). These chords have a mysterious sound, more tense in nature.
For example, an AmM7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), E (5) and G# (7).
*The root note of these chords will sometimes be left out (as the bassist will be covering it) just to accommodate a certain fingering position.
A suspended 7th chord (1 2 5 b7 or 1 4 5 b7) is a suspended chord with a flat 7th (b7).
For example, an A7sus2 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), B (2), E (5) and G (b7).
An augmented 7th chord (1 3 #5 b7) is an augmented chord with a flat 7th (b7). These chords also have a tense sound.
For example, an Aaug7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3), F (#5) and G (b7).
A half diminished chord (1 b3 b5 b7) is a diminished chord with a flat 7th (b7). A half diminished chord can also be a minor 7th chord with a flat 5th (b5) instead, as shown in the abbreviation.
For example, an Am7b5 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), D# (b5) and G (b7).
A diminished 7th chord (1 b3 b5 6) is an even more confusing chord. This time we flat the 7th (7) twice, causing it to become a 6th (6). Trust me, nobody ever uses this chord on a guitar.
For example, an Adim7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), D# (b5) and F# (6).
There you have it, all the chords in the world. Just kidding. I've only scratched the surface of all available chords in the world. But from a guitarist's point of view, these chords are enough to keep the world spinning forever.
There are much more chords than these. For example, 9th chords and 11th chords, yes, and even 13th chords (those consists of notes one whole octave higher). But a guitarist's fretting hand can only ever press 4 notes at a time, so let the pianist cover those tougher chords instead.
Knowing how chords work is just the first step. In my next theory post, I will cover chords transposition. That is the next thing a stage musician needs to know. I can't even begin to fathom a stage band that doesn't know how to transpose.
Also, in a future separate post, I will be addressing situations that requires a guitarist as the only instrument in the band. Slash chords, blues chords and funk chords. Power chords will also be addressed for the electric guitarists.
Edwin Ang
1st April 2018
Resources: http://www.fretjam.com/basic-guitar-chords.html
For example, an Am7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), E (5) and G (b7).
A minor major 7th chord (1 b3 5 7) is a one confusing chord, but it's basically a minor triad consisting of an added 7th (7). These chords have a mysterious sound, more tense in nature.
For example, an AmM7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), E (5) and G# (7).
*The root note of these chords will sometimes be left out (as the bassist will be covering it) just to accommodate a certain fingering position.
A suspended 7th chord (1 2 5 b7 or 1 4 5 b7) is a suspended chord with a flat 7th (b7).
For example, an A7sus2 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), B (2), E (5) and G (b7).
An augmented 7th chord (1 3 #5 b7) is an augmented chord with a flat 7th (b7). These chords also have a tense sound.
For example, an Aaug7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C# (3), F (#5) and G (b7).
A half diminished chord (1 b3 b5 b7) is a diminished chord with a flat 7th (b7). A half diminished chord can also be a minor 7th chord with a flat 5th (b5) instead, as shown in the abbreviation.
For example, an Am7b5 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), D# (b5) and G (b7).
A diminished 7th chord (1 b3 b5 6) is an even more confusing chord. This time we flat the 7th (7) twice, causing it to become a 6th (6). Trust me, nobody ever uses this chord on a guitar.
For example, an Adim7 chord would consist of building blocks A (1), C (b3), D# (b5) and F# (6).
There you have it, all the chords in the world. Just kidding. I've only scratched the surface of all available chords in the world. But from a guitarist's point of view, these chords are enough to keep the world spinning forever.
There are much more chords than these. For example, 9th chords and 11th chords, yes, and even 13th chords (those consists of notes one whole octave higher). But a guitarist's fretting hand can only ever press 4 notes at a time, so let the pianist cover those tougher chords instead.
Knowing how chords work is just the first step. In my next theory post, I will cover chords transposition. That is the next thing a stage musician needs to know. I can't even begin to fathom a stage band that doesn't know how to transpose.
Also, in a future separate post, I will be addressing situations that requires a guitarist as the only instrument in the band. Slash chords, blues chords and funk chords. Power chords will also be addressed for the electric guitarists.
Edwin Ang
1st April 2018
Resources: http://www.fretjam.com/basic-guitar-chords.html
Good
ReplyDelete