CHORDS &
HARMONY
If melody is the line, harmony is the color. Chords are formed by stacking intervals vertically. The specific distance between these notes determines whether the sound is happy, sad, tense, or magical.
The Triad
The most basic chord. It consists of three notes stacked in thirds:
- 1The Root (Defines the name)
- 3The Third (Defines the quality: Major/Minor)
- 5The Fifth (Adds stability)
Major Third
4 Semitones. Bright, happy.
Minor Third
3 Semitones. Dark, sad.
Perfect Fifth
7 Semitones. Powerful, open.
Tritone
6 Semitones. The 'Devil in Music'.
Extensions (Jazz)
You can keep stacking! Adding a 7th, 9th, 11th, or 13th creates complex, lush textures used in Jazz and R&B.
Chord Constructor
C Major
C
E
G
C
Formula
1 - 3 - 5
Major Quality
Happy, stable, resolved.
Inversions
You don't always have to put the Root at the bottom. Shuffling the order creates smoother voice leading between chords.
Root Pos: C - E - G
1st Inv: E - G - C
2nd Inv: G - C - E