How Chords Are Constructed in Music
Excerpt: Chords are built from scales using formulas that determine their sound. This post walks you through two simple ways to create chords and understand their emotional power.
Understanding how chords are constructed is essential for every musician, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned producer. Chords are the building blocks of harmony and play a vital role in defining the mood of any piece of music. In this blog post, we'll break down how chords are built using scale degrees and intervals. You'll learn two simple methods for creating chords, and we’ll explain the different types of chords—triads, sevenths, and extended chords. By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear understanding of chord construction and how to apply it in your own music.
Table of Contents
- What Are Chords?
- Chord Qualities
- Chord Names and Notation
- Types of Chords
- How Chords Are Constructed
- Chord Formulas
- Practice Tip: Transposing Chords
What Are Chords?
A chord is a group of musical notes played together that sound harmonious. These notes are selected from a musical scale and can express a wide range of feelings:
- Major chords sound bright and happy
- Minor chords sound somber or emotional
- Diminished chords sound tense or dissonant
All chords are built around a root note. For example, in a C chord, “C” is the root. While chords can consist of just two notes (called dyads), most use at least three notes—called triads.
The emotional "flavor" of a chord comes from the intervals between the notes. Learn more about this in our post on Understanding Intervals.
Chord Qualities
Chord quality refers to the chord’s tone and emotional feel.
- Tonality: Major chords are bright and joyful, while minor chords are more melancholic or tense.
- Intervals: Intervals define the space between notes and influence the chord’s identity.
- Consonance and Dissonance: Consonant chords sound stable, while dissonant chords create tension.
- Resolution: Chords often resolve from dissonance to consonance, creating musical movement.
For more background on tonal structure, check out Whole and Half Steps Explained.
Chord Names and Notation
Chords are named based on their root note and quality.
- Cmaj7 = C major seventh
- Cm7 = C minor seventh
- Caug or C+ = augmented
- C° or Cdim = diminished
Need a visual reference? Try the Piano Chords Chart Mousepad.
Types of Chords
Triads
Triads consist of three notes and come in several varieties: major, minor, diminished, augmented, and suspended. Changing one note can completely change the emotional quality.
Seventh Chords
These chords add the 7th degree from the scale to a triad, forming four-note chords. Variants include major 7th, minor 7th, and dominant 7th.
Extended Chords
These expand upon seventh chords by adding the 9th, 11th, or 13th scale degrees. This creates richer, more complex harmony.
How Chords Are Constructed
There are two common approaches to building chords:
1. Use a Chord Formula
Start with a scale and apply a formula. For example, a major chord uses the 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degrees. A minor chord uses the 1st, flat 3rd, and 5th.
See also: Note Names Explained
2. Shift a Chord Shape
Play a chord and move the entire shape up or down the keyboard. This quickly gives you the same chord in a new key.
A Minor Triad Example
A minor scale: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Formula: 1 - b3 - 5 → A - C - E
D Major 7th Example
D major scale: D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D
Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 → D - F# - A - C#
Chord Formulas
Memorizing chord formulas helps you build chords quickly. Download our free Chord Formulas PDF Chart and keep it on hand for reference.
Want even more tools? Grab the Music Theory Simplified Book.
Practice Tip: Transposing Chords
Transpose by shifting your hand position up or down the keyboard. This helps practice chords in every key.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how chords are built unlocks a new level of creativity and musical control. Whether you're writing songs, producing beats, or playing covers, mastering chord construction will enhance your skills in every genre.
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What Are Chords in Music? Understanding Chord Types, Qualities & Notation