Chord Forming

[T-Block]

I know there may be some of yall out there who don't know exactly how to form a chord.  Well, here is an explanation of how it's done.  Chords are built using the intervals of 3rds, i.e. every member of a chord is a 3rd apart.

1. Lay out all the notes that are used on the keyboard or in a major scale:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E   

2. Pick a note that you want to form a chord on and write it down, this is your root note:  C

3. Once you got a root note, write down every other note after it:  C  E  G  B  D  F  A

The first 3 notes played together is your basic triad chord.
The first 4 notes played together is your basic 7th chord.
The first 5 notes played together is your basic 9th chord.
The first 6 notes played together is your basic 11th chord.
All 7 notes played together is your basic 13th chord.

That's all there is to forming a chord.  So, if you want to build a triad off A, you just say A-C-E.  If you want to build a triad off B, you just say B-D-F.  Is that clear to everybody?  Memorize your basic triads that are found in the key of C cuz every other chord you will every play is based from these chords:

C-E-G
D-F-A
E-G-B
F-A-C
G-B-D
A-C-E
B-D-F 

[T-Block]

Now, we are going to take a look at specific chords and break them down into the intervals that make them up:

Major Chord

A major chord is made up of 3 notes w/each note being a 3rd apart.  Let's use the C major chord as an example, C-E-G:

C-E-G = C-E + E-G  Now, the first interval we have is C-E, which is a major 3rd.  The 2nd interval we have is E-G, which is a minor 3rd. Thus, we come to the conclusion that a major chord is made up of 2 intervals:  major 3rd on top, minor 3rd on bottom

*There is also a 3rd interval, C-G which is a major 5th between the root and last note.  This interval is not really necesarry to memorize cuz if you have your intervals of 3rds right, then the the interval of a 5th will already be present.  But it is good to know!!!


Minor Chord

A minor chord is made up of 3 notes w/each note being a 3rd apart.  The difference is in the intervals that make it up.  Let's use the C minor chord as an example, C-Eb-G:

C-Eb-G = C-Eb + Eb-G  Now, the first interval we have is C-Eb, which is a minor 3rd.  The 2nd interval we have is Eb-G, which is a major 3rd.  Thus, we come to the conclusion that a minor chord is also made up of 2 intervals:  minor 3rd on the top, major 3rd on the bottom


Diminished Chord

A diminished chord is made up of 3 notes w/each note being a 3rd apart.  The difference is in the intervals that make it up.  Let's use the C diminished chord as an example, C-Eb-Gb:

C-Eb-Gb = C-Eb + Eb-Gb  Now, the first interval we have is C-Eb, which is a minor 3rd.  The 2nd interval we have is Eb-Gb, which is also a minor 3rd.  Thus, we come to the conclusion that a dimished chord is also made up of 2 intervals:  minor 3rd on the top, minor 3rd on the bottom


Fully diminished Chord

A fully diminished chord is made up of 4 notes w/each note being a 3rd apart.  The difference is in the intervals that make it up.  Let's use the C fully diminished chord as an example, C-Eb-Gb-Bbb:

C-Eb-Gb-Bbb = C-Eb + Eb-Gb + Gb-Bbb  Now, the first interval we have is C-Eb, which is a minor 3rd.  The 2nd interval we have is Eb-Gb, which is also a minor 3rd.  The 3rd interval we have is Gb-Bbb, which is a minor 3rd.  Thus, we come to the conclusion that a dimished chord is also made up of 3 intervals:  minor 3rd on the top, minor 3rd in the middle, minor 3rd on the bottom


Augmented Chord

An augmented chord is made up of 3 notes w/each note being a 3rd apart.  The difference is in the intervals that make it up.  Let's use the C augmented chord as an example, C-E-G#:

C-E-G# = C-E + E-G#  Now, the first interval we have is C-E, which is a major 3rd.  The 2nd interval we have is E-G#, which is also a major 3rd. Thus, we come to the conclusion that an augmented chord is made up of 2 intervals:  major 3rd on top, majoor 3rd on bottom


Let's reveiw:

Major chord = major 3rd + minor 3rd
Minor chord = minor 3rd + major 3rd
Diminished chord = minor 3rd + minor 3rd
Fully diminished chord = minor 3rd + minor 3rd + minor 3rd
Augmented chord = major 3rd + major 3rd

[SisterT]

You go T-Block. Nice posts

[silky]

very laid-out and educational post!

[Gina3]

T Block you are so talented.  You make things so simple.  You should be a teacher. May  God Bless you in area of your life.

[T-Block]

I plan on being a music teacher, as soon as I get my degree.  I also want to open a school for teaching gospel music.  I guess I'm getting my start here on LGM.

[LyricTenor]

I plan on being a music teacher, as soon as I get my degree.  I also want to open a school for teaching gospel music.  I guess I'm getting my start here on LGM.

Can I use my GI Bill?

[Pianokat]

I am new to this awesome forum....I plan to really soak up like a sponge the next few months. I have a simply question concerning chord terminology.  Say, for instance, in the key of C:
the I chord is C
the IV chord is F
the V chord is G

What chords or notes are 2, 3, and 6?  I hear these referred to often, but I am not sure if they are major chords, minors, or derivities of these.

Thanks
Pianokat

[T-Block]

Here is all the chords built off all the scale degrees.  Examples are in C:

I = major (C-E-G)
ii = minor (D-F-A)
iii = minor (E-G-B)
IV = major (F-A-C)
V = major (G-B-D)
vi = minor (A-C-E)
vii = diminished (B-D-F)

[swade88]

T-Block,

When you get your classes started, I want to be sitting on your front row  !

I primarily play by ear -- playing right handed chords (not knowing the names) and a left handed bass line (instead of left handed chords).

Two Things for you T-Block:

1)  I recognize that in order to grow skill-wise, I need to start memorizing chord names so that I know WHATchords I am playing.

2)  To go along with RH chords, I definitely want to grow in terms of playing left handed chords (for a fuller sound).

Any suggestions where to begin?

Many blessings and thanks for your contribution to the growth of others on this site!

Swade88

[CESharp]

T-Block, you are at it again..................keep it coming!

Can we get a conference call class or something or even a live class on the internet?  I'm here in Illinois and I'm sure other people in other states want to be your students, outside of LGM also.

[jnay]

Here is all the chords built off all the scale degrees.  Examples are in C:

I = major (C-E-G)
ii = minor (D-F-A)
iii = minor (E-G-B)
IV = major (F-A-C)
V = major (G-B-D)
vi = minor (A-C-E)
vii = diminished (B-D-F)

[landlp2]

Can you help with 6th and 7th chords

I just can't stretch to do them.

[Cherri]

I know there may be some of yall out there who don't know exactly how to form a chord.  Well, here is an explanation of how it's done.  Chords are built using the intervals of 3rds, i.e. every member of a chord is a 3rd apart.

1. Lay out all the notes that are used on the keyboard or in a major scale:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E   

2. Pick a note that you want to form a chord on and write it down, this is your root note:  C

3. Once you got a root note, write down every other note after it:  C  E  G  B  D  F  A

The first 3 notes played together is your basic triad chord.
The first 4 notes played together is your basic 7th chord.
The first 5 notes played together is your basic 9th chord.
The first 6 notes played together is your basic 11th chord.
All 7 notes played together is your basic 13th chord.

That's all there is to forming a chord.  So, if you want to build a triad off A, you just say A-C-E.  If you want to build a triad off B, you just say B-D-F.  Is that clear to everybody?  Memorize your basic triads that are found in the key of C cuz every other chord you will every play is based from these chords:

C-E-G
D-F-A
E-G-B
F-A-C
G-B-D
A-C-E
B-D-F 

Thank you! God Bless you brother. Some of the software/ books I know assume you already know certain things, which leads to more confusion. In my opinion some books are poorly written too. God willing I'll write one to help others one day. Peace.

[MikaSue]

This is awesome T-Block.

My question is how do you know when to play these  basic triad, diminiished, augmented chords once formed???

[sjonathan02]

This is awesome T-Block.

My question is how do you know when to play these  basic triad, diminiished, augmented chords once formed???

Oooh, oooh, oooh, can I take this one?!?!? Please, please?!









It's all up to you, and the sound that you are looking for.

[T-Block]

It's all up to you, and the sound that you are looking for.

Good answer my student!!! 

MikaSue, you have to do some experimenting with the chords.  I have tons of posts on progressions and stuff you can study, but like my boy sjonathan02 said, it's basically up to you!!!

[MikaSue]

I understand but isn't there some theory of which one to move to from where.
What if I pick the wrong chord at teh wrong time of the song?

I read all the theory posts.  It's not clicking how to move to the different types of chords.
I have the general understanding that if I want to sound sad  go minor   suspenful go "um forgot"  ....

Help

[sjonathan02]

I understand but isn't there some theory of which one to move to from where.
What if I pick the wrong chord at teh wrong time of the song?

I read all the theory posts.  It's not clicking how to move to the different types of chords.
I have the general understanding that if I want to sound sad  go minor   suspenful go "um forgot"  ....

Help

Again, if I may, teacher:


There are general 'rules of thumb' as it pertains to going from one chord to the next. For instance, you can go from the 1 chord to the 3 chord to the 4 chord, and in between there, you can take the 'scenic route' (my term, I have it patented    ) to get from chord to another chord.

For example:

From 1 chord to 3 chord in Db:


Db Ab/ Db Eb F Ab

F C / Ab Bb C Eb


From 1 chord to 3 chord in Db taking the 'scenic route'

Db Ab/ Db Eb F Ab

G D F/ Bb C F

C G/ Bb E G

F C/ Ab Bb C Eb


Now, forgive me if the chords are messed up, I'm not at my computer. I hope this helps.

[MikaSue]

It helps sjonathan.  I'm not ready for the scenic route. I'm just trying to know to move from the I to the 3  or the I to the 4 and when do go where.   I guess it comes from practice aand just learning progressions.

Thanks for your input!