Chords - facts 5

1) Major chords have (4 and 3) semitones between notes. For example, the F major chord (F, A, C) has 4 semitones between F and A, and 3 semitones between A and C.

2) Minor chords have (3 and 4) semitones between notes. For example, the F minor chord (F, Ab, C) has 3 semitones between F and Ab, and 4 semitones between Ab and C.

Chords - trivia 13

1) What is the fourth note of a C dominant seventh chord?

a) A flat
b) B flat

2) What is the fourth note of a F sharp dominant seventh chord?

a) D
b) E

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 12

1) What is the second note of a E flat minor seventh chord?

a) G
b) G flat

2) What is the third note of a C sharp minor seventh chord?

a) G sharp
b) A flat

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 11

1) What is the fourth note of a C minor seventh chord?

a) B flat
b) B sharp

2) What is the fourth note of a B minor seventh chord?

a) A flat
b) A

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 10

1) What is the fourth note of a C flat major seventh chord?

a) A flat
b) B flat

2) What is the fourth note of a D major seventh chord?

a) C sharp
b) D sharp

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 9

1) What is the second note of a C major seventh chord?

a) D
b) E

2) What is the third note of a F major seventh chord?

a) C
b) D

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 8

1) What is the second note of a B diminished chord?

a) F
b) D

2) What is the third note of a D diminished chord?

a) B flat
b) A flat

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 7

1) What is the third note of a B augmented chord?

a) F double sharp
b) F sharp

2) What is the second note of a A flat augmented chord?

a) C
b) D

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 6

1) What is the third note of a C augmented chord?

a) G sharp
b) G flat

2) What is the third note of a G augmented chord?

a) E sharp
b) D sharp

Check comments for the answers.

Dominant seventh chords

C dominant seventh
C, E, G, Bb

G dominant seventh
G, B, D, F

D dominant seventh
D, F#, A, C

A dominant seventh
A, C#, E, G

E dominant seventh
E, G#, B, D

B dominant seventh
B, D#, F#, A
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C flat dominant seventh.

F sharp dominant seventh
F#, A#, C#, E
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G flat dominant seventh.

C sharp dominant seventh
C#, E#, G#, B
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D flat dominant seventh.

F dominant seventh
F, A, C, Eb

B flat dominant seventh
Bb, D, F, Ab

E flat dominant seventh
Eb, G, Bb, Db

A flat dominant seventh
Ab, C, Eb, Gb

D flat dominant seventh
Db, F, Ab , Cb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C sharp dominant seventh.

G flat dominant seventh
Gb, Bb, Db, Fb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to F sharp dominant seventh.

C flat dominant seventh
Cb, Eb, Gb, Bbb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B dominant seventh.

Learning the dominant seventh chords

To learn the dominant seventh chords, all you do is lower the last note of the major seventh chord. For example:

The C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, A), so the C dominant seventh chord is (C, E, G, Ab). The last note A is lowered a half step to Ab.

The Db major seventh chord is (Db, F, Ab, C), so the D flat dominant seventh chord is (Db, F, Ab, Cb). The last note C is lowered a half step to Cb.

Minor seventh chords

C minor seventh
C, Eb, G, Bb

G minor seventh
G, Bb, D, F

D minor seventh
D, F, A, C

A minor seventh
A, C, E, G

E minor seventh
E, G, B, D

B minor seventh
B, D, F#, A

F sharp minor seventh
F#, A, C#, E

C sharp minor seventh
C#, E, G#, B

F minor seventh
F, Ab, C, Eb

B flat minor seventh
Bb, Db, F, Ab
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A sharp minor seventh.

D sharp minor seventh
D#, F#, A#, C#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to E flat minor seventh.

G sharp minor seventh
G#, B, D#, F#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat minor seventh.

A sharp minor seventh
A#, C#, E#, G#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat minor seventh.

E flat minor seventh
Eb, Gb, Bb, Db
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D sharp minor seventh.

A flat minor seventh
Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G sharp minor seventh.

Learning the minor seventh chords

To learn the minor seventh chords, all you do is lower the second and fourth notes of the major seventh chord. For example:

The C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, A), so the C minor seventh chord is (C, Eb, G, Ab). The second note E is lowered a half step to Eb and the fourth note A is lowered a half step to Ab.

The F major seventh chord is (F, A, C, E), so the F minor seventh chord is (F, Ab, C, Eb). The second note A is lowered a half step to Ab and the fourth note E is lowered a half step to Eb.

Chords - trivia 5

1) What is the second note of a F minor chord?

a) A flat
b) B flat

2) What is the third note of a A flat minor chord?

a) C flat
b) E flat

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 4

1) What is the second note of a C minor chord?

a) E flat
b) G flat

2) What is the third note of a A minor chord?

a) C
b) E

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 3

1) What is the third note of a A flat major chord?

a) E flat
b) G flat

2) What is the third note of a E major chord?

a) B
b) C

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 2

1) What is the third note of a C sharp major chord?

a) F sharp
b) G sharp

2) What is the third note of a F major chord?

a) B
b) C

Check comments for the answers.

Chords - trivia 1

1) What is the third note of a C major chord?

a) F
b) G

2) What is the third note of a D major chord?

a) A
b) B

Check comments for the answers.

Chord inversion - facts 4

1) A dominant seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7b). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 7b 1). A second inversion is (5 7b 1 3). A third inversion is (7b 1 3 5).

2) The C major chord first inversion is (E G C).

Chord inversion - facts 3

1) A major seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 7 1). A second inversion is (5 7 1 3). A third inversion is (7 1 3 5).

2) A minor seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5 7b). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5 7b 1). A second inversion is (5 7b 1 3b). A third inversion is (7b 1 3b 5). You can also form a minor seventh chord by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a minor scale.

Chord inversion - facts 2

1) An augmented chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth (sharp) notes of a major scale (1 3 5#). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5# 1). A second inversion is (5# 1 3).

2) A diminished chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5b). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5b 1). A second inversion is (5b 1 3b). You can also form a diminished chord by using the first, third, and fifth (flat) notes of a minor scale.

Chord inversion - facts 1

1) A major chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3 5). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 1). A second inversion is (5 1 3).

2) A minor chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3b 5). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5 1). A second inversion is (5 1 3b). You can also form a minor chord by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a minor scale.

Chords - facts 4

1) A dominant seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7b).

2) The C dominant seventh chord has one flat.

Chords - facts 3

1) A major seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7).

2) A minor seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5 7b). You can also form a minor seventh chord by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a minor scale.

Chords - facts 2

1) An augmented chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth (sharp) notes of a major scale (1 3 5#).

2) A diminished chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5b). You can also form a diminished chord by using the first, third, and fifth (flat) notes of a minor scale.

Chords - facts 1

1) A major chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3 5).

2) A minor chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3b 5). You can also form a minor chord by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a minor scale.

Major seventh chords

C major seventh
C, E, G, B

G major seventh
G, B, D, F#

D major seventh
D, F#, A, C#

A major seventh
A, C#, E, G#

E major seventh
E, G#, B, D#

B major seventh
B, D#, F#, A#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C flat major seventh.

F sharp major seventh
F#, A#, C#, E#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G flat major seventh.

C sharp major seventh
C#, E#, G#, B#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D flat major seventh.

F major seventh
F, A, C, E

B flat major seventh
Bb, D, F, A

E flat major seventh
Eb, G, Bb, D

A flat major seventh
Ab, C, Eb, G

D flat major seventh
Db, F, Ab , C
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C sharp major seventh.

G flat major seventh
Gb, Bb, Db, F
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to F sharp major seventh.

C flat major seventh
Cb, Eb, Gb, Bb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B major seventh.

Learning the major seventh chords

To learn the major seventh chords, all you do is add a note at the end to the major chords. For example:

The C major chord is (C, E, G), so the C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, B). The last note B is added.

As with the major chords, the best way to learn the major seventh chords is in the order of the key signatures on the circle of fifths. Know that C is at the 12 o'clock position on the circle of fifths. This will be the starting point.

To the right of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with sharps, in order from 1 to 7 are G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Goes Down And Ends Battle Father Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. Notice that the last two, F# and C# have sharps in their name.

The major seventh chords below are grouped into weather the last note in the chord is sharp. This is an easy way to remember them.

The C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, B). No sharp for the last note.

The G major seventh chord is (G, B, D, F#). The last note is sharp.
The D major seventh chord is (D, F#, A, C#). The last note is sharp.
The A major seventh chord is (A, C#, E, G#). The last note is sharp.
The E major seventh chord is (E, G#, B, D#). The last note is sharp.
The B major seventh chord is (B, D#, F#, A#). The last note is sharp.
The F# major seventh chord is (F#, A#, C#, E#). The last note is sharp.
The C# major seventh chord is (C#, E#, G#, B#). The last note is sharp.

As you can see, the last note is sharp on all of them except for the C major seventh chord which is just B.

To the left of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with flats, in order from 1 to 7 are F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Father's Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. Notice that they all have flats in their name except the F.

The major seventh chords below are grouped into weather the last note in the chord is flat. This is an easy way to remember them.

The F major seventh chord is (F, A, C, E). No flat for the last note.
The Bb major seventh chord is (Bb, D, F, A). No flat for the last note.
The Eb major seventh chord is (Eb, G, Bb, D). No flat for the last note.
The Ab major seventh chord is (Ab, C, Eb, G). No flat for the last note.
The Db major seventh chord is (Db, F, Ab, C). No flat for the last note.
The Gb major seventh chord is (Gb, Bb, Db, F). No flat for the last note.

The Cb major seventh chord is (Cb, Eb, Gb, Bb). The last note is flat.

As you can see, the only chord that has a flat last note is the Cb major seventh chord.

Try to memorize all of these major seventh chords. Once you know the major chords, you are just adding a note on for the major seventh chords. That is why learning the major chords first are important. Other four note chords: minor seventh and dominant seventh can be learned if you know the major seventh chords, but with some minor changes.

Diminished chords

C diminished
C, Eb, Gb

C sharp diminished
C#, E, G

G diminished
G, Bb, Db

D diminished
D, F, Ab

D sharp diminished
D#, F#, A
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to E flat diminished.

E flat diminished
Eb, Gb, Bbb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D sharp diminished.

E diminished
E, G, Bb

F diminished
F, Ab, Cb

F sharp diminished
F#, A, C

G sharp diminished
G#, B, D
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat diminished.

A flat diminished
Ab, Cb, Ebb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G sharp diminished.

A diminished
A, C, Eb

A sharp diminished
A#, C#, E
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat diminished.

B flat diminished
Bb, Db, Fbb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A sharp diminished.

B diminished
B, D, F

Learning the diminished chords

To learn the diminished chords, all you do is lower the second and third notes of the major chord a half step. For example:

The C major chord is (C, E, G), so the C diminished chord is (C, Eb, Gb). The second and third notes are lowered a half step to Eb and Gb.

The F major chord is (F, A, C), so the F diminished chord is (F, Ab, Cb). The second and third notes are lowered a half step to Ab and Cb.

Augmented chords

C augmented
C, E, G#

G augmented
G, B, D#

D augmented
D, F#, A#

A augmented
A, C#, E#

E augmented
E, G#, B#

B augmented
B, D#, Fx
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C flat augmented.

F sharp augmented
F#, A#, Cx
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G flat augmented.

C sharp augmented
C#, E#, Gx
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D flat augmented.

F augmented
F, A, C#

B flat augmented
Bb, D, F#

E flat augmented
Eb, G, B

A flat augmented
Ab, C, E

D flat augmented
Db, F, A
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C sharp augmented.

G flat augmented
Gb, Bb, D
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to F sharp augmented.

C flat augmented
Cb, Eb, G
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B augmented.

Learning the augmented chords

To learn the augmented chords, all you do is raise the last note of the major chord a half step. For example:

The C major chord is (C, E, G), so the C augmented chord is (C, E, G#). The last note G is raised a half step to G#.

The Db major chord is (Db, F, Ab), so the D flat augmented chord is (Db, F, A). The last note Ab is raised a half step to A.

Minor chords

C minor
C, Eb, G

G minor
G, Bb, D

D minor
D, F, A

A minor
A, C, E

E minor
E, G, B

B minor
B, D, F#

F sharp minor
F#, A, C#

C sharp minor
C#, E, G#

F minor
F, Ab, C

B flat minor
Bb, Db, F
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A sharp minor.

E flat minor
Eb, Gb, Bb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D sharp minor.

A flat minor
Ab, Cb, Eb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G sharp minor.

A sharp minor
A#, C#, E#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat minor.

G sharp minor
G#, B, D#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat minor.

D sharp minor
D#, F#, A#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to E flat minor.

Learning the minor chords

To learn the minor chords, all you do is lower the middle note of the major chord a half step. For example:

The C major chord is (C, E, G), so the C minor chord is (C, Eb, G). The middle note E is lowered a half step to Eb.

The G major chord is (G, B, D), so the G minor chord is (G, Bb, D). The middle note B is lowered a half step to Bb.

Major chords

C major
C, E, G

G major
G, B, D

D major
D, F#, A

A major
A, C#, E

E major
E, G#, B

B major
B, D#, F#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C flat major.

F sharp major
F#, A#, C#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G flat major.

C sharp major
C#, E#, G#
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to D flat major.

F major
F, A, C

B flat major
Bb, D, F

E flat major
Eb, G, Bb

A flat major
Ab, C, Eb

D flat major
Db, F, Ab
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to C sharp major.

G flat major
Gb, Bb, Db
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to F sharp major.

C flat major
Cb, Eb, Gb
This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B major.

Learning the major chords

It is best to start by learning the major chords first. The best way to learn them is in the order of the key signatures on the circle of fifths. The key signature of C is at the 12 o'clock position on the circle of fifths. This will be the starting point.

Next, learn the major chords for the key signatures from 1 sharp to 7 sharps in that order, and then the major chords for the key signatures from 1 flat to 7 flats in that order. Learning them in this order is important because it will make things easier later on. Remember, on a circle of fifths picture, the sharps are on the right side of the circle, and the flats are on the left side of the circle.

To the right of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with sharps, in order from 1 to 7 are G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Goes Down And Ends Battle Father Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. Notice that the last two, F# and C# have sharps in their name.

Think of going from no sharps to more sharps in the chords as you move from our starting point C at 12 o'clock to C#. As you work your way towards the end of the phrase, you will have more sharps for the major chords. The chords below are grouped into how many sharps are in each. This is an easy way to remember them.

The C major chord is (C, E, G). No sharps for any note.
The G major chord is (G, B, D). No sharps for any note.

The D major chord is (D, F#, A). The middle note is sharp.
The A major chord is (A, C#, E). The middle note is sharp.
The E major chord is (E, G#, B). The middle note is sharp.

The B major chord is (B, D#, F#). The second and third notes are sharp.

The F# major chord is (F#, A#, C#). All three notes are sharp.
The C# major chord is (C#, E#, G#). All three notes are sharp.

To the left of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with flats, in order from 1 to 7 are F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Father's Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. Notice that they all have flats in their name except the F.

Think of going from no flats to more flats in the chords as you move from F to Cb. As you work your way towards the end of the phrase, you will have more flats for the major chords. The chords below are grouped into how many flats are in each. This is an easy way to remember them.

The F major chord is (F, A, C). No flats for any note.

The Bb major chord is (Bb, D, F). The first note is flat.

The Eb major chord is (Eb, G, Bb). The first and last notes are flat.
The Ab major chord is (Ab, C, Eb). The first and last notes are flat.
The Db major chord is (Db, F, Ab). The first and last notes are flat.

The Gb major chord is (Gb, Bb, Db). All three notes are flat.
The Cb major chord is (Cb, Eb, Gb). All three notes are flat.

Try to memorize all of these major chords. Memorizing them by the groups they are in will make things much easier. All the other chords: minor, augmented, and diminished can be learned if you know the major chords, but with some minor changes. The four note chords will also be easier to learn once you know these.