This lesson explains the basics of chords, including what they are, how they are constructed, and how they relate to scales and keys. Understanding chords is essential for playing, composing, and analyzing music.

WHAT IS A CHORD

A chord consists of multiple notes played simultaneously. Playing notes harmonically means sounding them all at once, while playing them melodically means playing them one at a time. A chord can also be “implied” when its notes are present but not played together.

WHERE DO CHORDS COME FROM

Chords are derived from scales, which are sequences of notes separated by whole steps and half steps. The major scale is the standard reference. A major chord uses the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes from the major scale. Minor chords, sometimes called natural minor, are created by altering the 3rd degree of the major scale to produce a 1–b3–5 pattern.

MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS

Major chords generally sound bright and stable, while minor chords produce a darker or more somber tone. Learning to identify the notes in any major or minor chord helps in playing, composing, and understanding music theory. Triads—three-note chords—are the foundation of most harmonic structures in Western music.

CHORDS AND KEYS

Chords fit into keys based on scale degrees. Each chord can be labeled with numbers corresponding to its position in the scale. Roman numerals are used to indicate chord functions within a key, distinguishing major and minor chords (e.g., I, IV, V for major; ii, iii, vi for minor).

USING CHORDS IN PRACTICE

Understanding chord construction and relationships helps you play harmonically, compose melodies, and analyze music. All chords can be thought of as a set of numbers derived from the scale, allowing you to transpose, improvise, and harmonize in any key.