Basic Chords and How to Build Them 11th Grade Theory Paul Stewart, Teacher 11/17/2018

Harmony is one of the Building Blocks of Music Understanding Harmony is just as important as understanding Melody or Rhythm! Let’s learn some basic chords! 11/17/2018

What is a Chord? A Chord is 2 or more notes sounded at the same time Chords are built based on or using specific Intervals Interval - the distance between 2 notes We have already discussed intervals, but let’s review quickly! 11/17/2018

Interval Types Intervals come in 4 Basic Qualities Major Minor Diminished Augmented 11/17/2018

There are 8 Simple Intervals which can be any Quality Unison (1)** Second (2) Third (3) Fourth (4) Fifth (5) Sixth (6) Seventh (7) Octave (8) ** A Unison cannot be diminished 11/17/2018

Using Intervals to build Chords Most Chords are built using thirds The most common chord using thirds is called a Triad 11/17/2018

What is a Triad? A Triad is a chord consisting of three notes Root: The chord defining note and, for now, the lowest; the Bass 3rd: A Third above the Root 5th: A Fifth above the Root (A Third above the 3rd) There are 4 Basic Triads Major Triad (M) Minor Triad (m) Diminished Triad (˚) Augmented Triad (+) 11/17/2018

Major Triads A Major Triad consists of a Major Third above the Root and a Major Fifth above the Root C-E= Major 3rd C-G=Major 5th 11/17/2018

Minor Triads A Minor Triad consists of a Minor Third above the Root and a Major Fifth above the Root C-Eb= Minor 3rd C-G= Major 5th 11/17/2018

Diminished Triads A Diminished Triad consists of a Minor Third above the Root and a Diminished Fifth above the Root C-Eb= Minor 3rd C-Gb= Diminished 5th 11/17/2018

Augmented Triads An Augmented Triad consists of a Major Third above the Root and an Augmented Fifth above the Root C-E= Major 3rd C-G#= Augmented 5th 11/17/2018

Seventh Chords When we add a fourth note to a Triad, we get a Seventh Chord A Seventh Chord consists of four notes Root 3rd 5th 7th: a seventh above the Root (A Third above the 5th) 11/17/2018

Types of Seventh Chords There are 3 basic kinds of Seventh Chords we will discuss (there are more, but we will get to those later in the semester) Major Major 7th (MM7) Major Minor 7th (Mm7) Minor Minor 7th (mm7) 11/17/2018

Major Major Seventh Chords A Major Major Seventh consists of a Major Triad with an additional Major Seventh above the Root C-B= Major 7th 11/17/2018

Major Minor Seventh Chords A Major Minor Seventh consists of a Major Triad with an additional Minor Seventh above the Root C-Bb= Minor 7th 11/17/2018

Minor Minor Seventh Chords A Minor Minor Seventh consists of a Minor Triad with an additional Minor Seventh above the Root C-Bb= Minor 7th 11/17/2018

TEST NEXT FRIDAY Be sure that you know all of these chords If you need additional help, see me after school Next week, we will learn about Diminished Seventh Chords and a little thing called Harmonic Function! 11/17/2018

(And don’t forget to study) Have a Great Weekend (And don’t forget to study) 11/17/2018