Chord Dictionary

Navigation

2011-11-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

Chords are made with distinct rules or formulas which gives a unique sound to different chord types. While there are hundreds of chords they are made from a small set of formulas. So it makes sense to learn and understand these formulas that make these chords rather than learn hundreds of chords.

Chords are based on scales so understanding the major scale is important to constructing chords. To understand how the major scale works see this article : The Major Scale

Select a chord type below:

Major
Minor
Seventh
Minor Seventh

The Major Scale

2011-11-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Chords are built from scales so understanding them is very important to learning music. The major scale is a good place to start as it can be used to construct all basic chords. Music is made up of 12 notes which repeat themselves continuously. Below we can see the notes from C onwards.

Note that the symbol # means sharp and the symbol b means flat.

Any note without a symbol (neither sharp nor flat) is called a natural note.

Before you learn the major scale there are a few things you should understand.

Every note is a half step away from each other.

C# is a half step away from C and D is a half step away from C#.

A whole step is two note interval.

D is a whole step away from E and G is a whole step away from F

The corresponding columns in the above table of notes are equivalent.

C# is the same as Db and D# is the same as Eb

The reason for this is that sharp is just a way of saying a half step higher and flat is just a way of saying a half step lower. So C# is just saying a half step higher than C, just as Db is saying a half step lower than D which you can see above are equivalent.

The major scale is made up of 7 repeating notes.

The starting note is called the root note.

The other notes in the scale are derived from this formula.

Root Note

Whole Step

Half Step

Whole Step

So if we wanted to work out the scale of C Major from the notes below

we would start out with our root note C.

Move a whole step which would be D.

Move another whole step to arrive at E.

Then move a half step to F.

A whole step to G.

Another whole step to A.

Yet another whole step to B.

We would have the seven notes of the C major scale ( C D E F G A B )

As mentioned before the notes of the scale repeat themselves. Each set of 7 notes is called an octave as shown below

Lower octave

Higher octave

All scales (even the sharps and flats) can be derived
from the above rules.
It just takes a bit of practice to learn.

Once you understand the major scale you can use it in
chord construction

Article from Music Resources

Minor Seventh Chords

2011-11-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

Seventh Chords

2011-10-24T04:24:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

Minor Chords

2011-09-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

Major Chords

2011-09-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

Every major chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

G Sharp Minor Seventh / A Flat Minor Seventh

2011-09-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The G# / Ab major scale is

G#	A#	C	C#	D#	F	G
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “G sharp minor seventh” (G#m7) or “A flat minor seventh” (Abm7) chord we use

the 1^st note G#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note B

the 5^th note D#

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note F#

This gives us the notes G#, B, D# and F# which form the

“G sharp minor seventh” or “A flat minor seventh” chord

“G sharp minor seventh” (G#m7)

“A flat minor seventh” (Abm7) on the guitar

“G sharp minor seventh” (G#m7)

“A flat minor seventh” (Abm7) on the piano

G Sharp Seventh / A Flat Seventh

2011-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The G# /Ab major scale is

G#	A#	C	C#	D#	F	G
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “G sharp seventh” (G#7) or “A flat seventh” (Ab7) chord we use

the 1^st note G#

the 3^rd note C

the 5^th note D#

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note F#

This gives us the notes G#, C, D# and F# which form the

“G sharp seventh” or “A flat seventh” chord

“G sharp seventh” (G#7)

“A flat seventh” (Ab7) on the guitar

“G sharp seventh” (G#7)

“A flat seventh” (Ab7) on the piano

G Sharp Minor / A Flat Minor

2011-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The G# / Ab major scale is

G#	A#	C	C#	D#	F	G
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “G sharp minor” (G#m) or “A flat minor“ (Abm) chord we use

the 1^st note G#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note B

the 5^th note D#

This gives us the notes G#, B and D# which form the

“G sharp minor” or “A flat minor“ chord

“G sharp minor” (G#m)

“A flat minor“ (Abm) on the guitar

“G sharp minor” (G#m)

“A flat minor“ (Abm) on the piano

G Sharp Major / A Flat Major

2011-09-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Every major chord is made up of the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The G# / Ab major scale is

G#	A#	C	C#	D#	F	G
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “G sharp major” (G#) or “A flat major” (Ab) chord we use

the 1^st note G#

the 3^rd note C

the 5^th note D#

This gives us the notes G#, C and D# which form the

“G sharp major” or “A flat major” chord

“G sharp major” (G#)

“A flat major” (Ab) on the guitar

“G sharp major” (G#)

“A flat major” (Ab) on the piano

F Sharp Minor Seventh / G Flat Minor Seventh

2011-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The F# /Gb major scale is

F#	G#	A#	B	C#	D#	F
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “F sharp minor seventh” (F#m7) or “G flat minor seventh” (Gbm7) chord we use

the 1^st note F#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note A

the 5^th note C# and the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note E

This gives us the notes F#, A, C# and E which form the

“F sharp minor seventh” or “G flat minor seventh” chord

“F sharp minor seventh” (F#m7)

“G flat minor seventh” (Gbm7) on the guitar

“F sharp minor seventh” (F#m7)

“G flat minor seventh” (Gbm7) on the piano

F Sharp Seventh / G Flat Seventh

2011-09-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The F# major scale is

F#	G#	A#	B	C#	D#	F
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “F sharp seventh” (F#7) or “G flat seventh” (Gb7) chord we use

the 1^st note F#

the 3^rd note A#

the 5^th note C#

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note E

This gives us the notes F#, A#, C# and E which form the

“F sharp seventh” or “G flat seventh” chord

“F sharp seventh” (F#7)

“G flat seventh” (Gb7) on the guitar

“F sharp seventh” (F#7)

“G flat seventh” (Gb7) on the piano

F Sharp Minor / G Flat Minor

2011-09-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The F# / Gb major scale is

F#	G#	A#	B	C#	D#	F
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “F sharp minor” (F#m) or “G flat minor” (Gbm) chord we use

the 1^st note F#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note A

the 5^th note C#

This gives us the notes F#, A and C# which form the

“F sharp minor” or “G flat minor” chord

“F sharp minor” (F#m)

“G flat minor” (Gbm) on the guitar

“F sharp minor” (F#m)

“G flat minor” (Gbm) on the piano

F Sharp Major / G Flat Major

2011-09-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Every major chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The F# / Gb major scale is

F#	G#	A#	B	C#	D#	F
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “F sharp major” (F#) or “G flat major” (Gb) chord we use

the 1^st note F#

the 3^rd note A#

the 5^th note C#

This gives us the notes F#, A# and C# which form the

“F sharp major” or “G flat major” chord

“F sharp major” (F#)

“G flat major” (Gb) on the guitar

“F sharp major” (F#)

“G flat major” (Gb) on the piano

D Sharp Minor Seventh / E Flat Minor Seventh

2011-09-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The D# / Eb major scale is

D#	F	G	G#	A#	C	D
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “D sharp minor seventh” (D#m7) or “E flat minor seventh” (Ebm7) chord we use

the 1^st note D#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note F#

the 5^th note A#

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note C#

This gives us the notes D#, F#, A# and C# which form the

“D sharp minor seventh” or “E flat minor seventh” chord

“D sharp minor seventh” (D#m7)

“E flat minor seventh” (Ebm7) on the guitar

“D sharp minor seventh” (D#m7)

“E flat minor seventh” (Ebm7) on the piano

D Sharp Seventh / E Flat Seventh

2011-09-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The D# / Eb major scale is

D#	F	G	G#	A#	C	D
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “D sharp seventh” (D#7)or “E flat seventh” (Eb7) chord we use

the 1^st note D#

the 3^rd note G

the 5^th note A#

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note C#

This gives us the notes D#, G, A# and C# which form the

“D sharp seventh” or “E flat seventh” chord

“D sharp seventh” (D#7)

“E flat seventh” (Eb7) on the guitar

“D sharp seventh” (D#7)

“E flat seventh” (Eb7) on the piano

D Sharp Minor / E Flat Minor

2011-09-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The D# / Eb major scale is

D#	F	G	G#	A#	C	D
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “D sharp minor” (D#m) or “E flat minor” (Ebm) chord we use

the 1^st note D#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note F#

the 5^th note A#

This gives us the notes D#, F# and A# which form the

“D sharp minor” or “E flat minor” chord

“D sharp minor” (D#m)

“E flat minor” (Ebm) on the guitar

“D sharp minor” (D#m)

“E flat minor” (Ebm) on the piano

D Sharp Major / E Flat Major

2011-09-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

Every major chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The D# / Eb major scale is

D#	F	G	G#	A#	C	D
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “D sharp major” (D#) or “E flat major” (Eb) chord we use

the 1^st note D#

the 3^rd note G

the 5^th note A#

This gives us the notes D#, G and A# which form the

”D sharp major” or “E flat major” chord

“D sharp major” (D#)

“E flat major” (Eb) on the guitar

“D sharp major” (D#)

“E flat major” (Eb) on the piano

A Sharp Minor Seventh / B Flat Minor Seventh

2011-09-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The A# / Bb major scale is

A#	C	D	D#	F	G	A
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “A sharp minor seventh” (A#m7) or “B flat minor seventh” (Bbm7) chord we use

the 1^st note A#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note C#

the 5^th note F

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note G#

This gives us the notes A#, C#, F and G# which form the

“A sharp minor seventh” or “B flat minor seventh” chord

“A sharp minor seventh” (A#m7)

“B flat minor seventh” (Bbm7) on the guitar

“A sharp minor seventh” (A#m7)

“B flat minor seventh” (Bbm7) on the piano

A Sharp Seventh / B Flat Seventh

2011-09-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The A# / Bb major scale is

A#	C	D	D#	F	G	A
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “A sharp seventh” (A#7) or “B flat seventh” (Bb7) chord we use

the 1^st note A#

the 3^rd note D

the 5^th note F

the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note G#

This gives us the notes A#, D, F and G# which form the

“A sharp seventh” or “B flat seventh” chord

“A sharp seventh” (A#7)

“B flat seventh” (Bb7) on the guitar

“A sharp seventh” (A#7)

“B flat seventh” (Bb7) on the piano

A Sharp Minor / B Flat Minor

2011-09-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The A# / Bb major scale is

A#	C	D	D#	F	G	A
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “A sharp minor” (A#m) or “B flat minor” (Bbm) chord we use

the 1^st note A#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note C#

the 5^th note F

This gives us the notes A#, C# and F which form the

“A sharp minor” or “B flat minor” chord

“A sharp minor” (A#m)

“B flat minor” (Bbm) on the guitar

“A sharp minor” (A#m)

“B flat minor” (Bbm) on the piano

A Sharp Major / B Flat Major

2011-09-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Every major chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The A# / Bb major scale is

A#	C	D	D#	F	G	A
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make an “A sharp major” (A#) or “B flat major” (Bb) chord we use

the 1^st note A#

the 3^rd note D

the 5^th note F

This gives us the notes A#, D and F which form the

“A# major” or “B flat major” chord

“A sharp major” (A#)

“B flat major” (Bb) on the guitar

“A sharp major” (A#)

“B flat major” (Bb) on the piano

C Sharp Minor Seventh / D Flat Minor Seventh

2011-09-16T05:17:00.000-07:00

Every minor seventh (m7) chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The C# / Db major scale is

C#	D#	F	F#	G#	A#	C
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “C sharp minor seventh” (C#m7) or “D flat minor seventh” chord we use

the 1^st note C#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note E

the 5^th note G# and the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note B

This gives us the notes C#, E, G# and B which form the

“C sharp minor seventh” or “D flat minor seventh” chord

“C sharp minor seventh” (C#m7)
or
“D flat minor seventh” (Dbm7) on the guitar

“C sharp minor seventh” (C#m7)
or
“D flat minor seventh” (Dbm7) on the piano

C Sharp Seventh / D Flat Seventh

2011-09-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

Every seventh chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and b7th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The C# / Db major scale is

C#	D#	F	F#	G#	A#	C
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “C sharp seventh” (C#7) or “D flat seventh” (Db7) chord we use

the 1^st note C#

the 3^rd note F

5^th note G# and the b7^th (half step lower from the 7^th) note B

This gives us the notes C#, F, G# and B which form the

“C sharp seventh” or “D flat seventh” chord

“C sharp seventh” (C#7)
or
“D flat seventh” (Db7) on the guitar

“C sharp seventh” (C#7)
or
“D flat seventh” (Db7) on the piano

C Sharp Minor / D Flat Minor

2011-09-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Every minor chord is made up of the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the major scale

Choose a chord below to see an example (with chord diagrams)

The C# / Db major scale is

C#	D#	F	F#	G#	A#	C
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

To make a “C sharp minor” (C#m) or “D flat minor” (Dbm) chord we use

the 1^st note C#

the b3^rd (half step lower from the 3^rd) note E

the 5^th note G#

This gives us the notes C#, E and G# which form the

“C sharp minor” or “D flat minor” chord

“C sharp minor” (C#m)
or
“D flat minor” (Dbm) on the guitar

“C sharp minor” (C#m)
or
“D flat minor” (Dbm) on the piano