1. Basic Chords and How to Build Them
11th Grade Theory
Paul Stewart, Teacher
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2. 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!
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3. 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!
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4. Interval Types Intervals come in 4 Basic Qualities Major Minor
Diminished
Augmented
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5. 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
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6. Using Intervals to build Chords
Most Chords are built using thirds
The most common chord using thirds is called a Triad
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7. 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 (+)
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. 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
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12. 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)
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13. 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)
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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!
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18. (And don’t forget to study)
Have a Great Weekend
(And don’t forget to study)
11/17/2018