Harmony

Basic music chords: major, minor and triads

A chord is several notes played together. After notes and intervals, chords help explain harmony, accompaniment, songs and chord progressions.

Review intervals Train your ear

Note, interval, chord

A note is one sound: C, D, E.
An interval is the distance between two notes: C-E, C-G.
A chord is a group of notes played together.
A triad is a three-note chord: root, third and fifth.

C major = C E GA minor = A C Etriad = 1 3 5

The first chords to know

Major and minor chords are the basis of thousands of songs.

Major

Major chord

A chord often heard as stable, clear or bright.

Understand Minor

Minor chord

A chord often heard as softer, darker or more melancholic.

Compare Intervals

Third and fifth

Chords are built by stacking intervals.

Review

See, hear, practice

A chord becomes clearer when theory connects with sound.

Start from notes

A chord is first a group of notes you can read.

Ear training

Hear the color

The ear learns to distinguish major, minor and tension.

Chromatic harmonica

Connect instruments

Chords help understand progressions and accompaniment.

Mozart Match singing

Sing inside harmony

Chords give context to a sung melody.

Basic chords FAQ

Do I need intervals? Yes, intervals make chords much easier to understand.
Which chord should I learn first? C major is the easiest way to see C-E-G.
What is the difference between major and minor? The third changes, which changes the chord color.
Are chords useful for music theory? Yes, they connect reading, ear training, singing and accompaniment.