Chord (music) facts for kids

A guitarist playing a C chord.

In music, a chord is a group of notes played at the same time. Think of it like several different sounds blending together to make one bigger sound. Even if the notes are played one after another very quickly (like in an arpeggio), your ear can still hear them as a chord. Chords are super important because they add depth and feeling to music.

In most Western music, the most common chords are called triads. These are made of three different notes. They have a main note called the root, and then two other notes built on top of it. These other notes are usually a "third" and a "fifth" away from the root. Chords can also have more than three notes, like in jazz or modern classical music.

When you play a series of chords one after another, it's called a chord progression. This is like a musical journey that moves from one sound to the next. For example, the "12-bar blues" is a famous chord progression used in blues music. Music often uses certain chord patterns that sound good together. These patterns help to set the "home key" or main sound of a song.

Musicians use different ways to write down chords. This includes regular staff notation (the lines and dots you see on sheet music), Roman numeral analysis, and chord charts (like the ones used in pop and jazz).

What is a Chord?

A chord is usually defined as two or more notes played at the same time. However, for a chord to have a clear sound, it often needs at least three different notes. For example, if you play just two notes, like G and B, your brain might still hear it as part of a G major chord. This is because our ears are good at filling in the missing sounds.

Sometimes, even a single melody line can make you imagine a chord. This shows how flexible the idea of a chord can be in music.

Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition "Promenade" shows a clear chord progression.

Claude Debussy's Première arabesque. The bottom notes show the chords that are implied by the melody on top.

History of Chords

In the past, during the Middle Ages, music focused more on melodies. Chords happened, but they weren't the main focus. During the Renaissance (from the 1400s to 1600s), people started to pay more attention to how notes sounded together.

The Baroque period (1600s and 1700s) was a big turning point. This is when the system of major and minor keys became popular. Composers started using chord progressions and specific chord endings (called cadences). They also developed "figured bass," a kind of shorthand for keyboard players to add chords to a melody.

In the Romantic period (the 1800s), composers used even more complex and colorful chords. They started to "borrow" chords from other keys to create new sounds. Today, many popular music styles still use simple chords. But in film scores and modern jazz, you'll find very complex chords with many notes.

Chords can also be used just for their sound effect, like creating a special "timbre." For example, in an orchestra, different instruments might play the notes of a chord. This makes them blend into a unique, combined sound.

How Chords are Written

Chords can be written in several ways. The most common ways are:

Staff notation: This is the traditional way, using lines and symbols on a musical staff.
Roman numerals: These are often used in music class to show which note of a scale a chord is built on.
Figured bass: Used in the Baroque era, this uses numbers under a bass line to tell keyboard players what chords to play.
Chord letters: Sometimes used by music experts to describe the main note and type of a chord.
Chord symbols: These are used a lot in popular music. They quickly show musicians what chords to play for a song.

Roman Numerals

The chord progression vi–ii–V–I in C major. These are A minor, D minor, G major, and C major chords.

In music analysis, Roman numerals (like I, IV, V) are used to show chords. They tell you which step of the scale the chord's main note (root) is on. For example, in the key of C major, the C major chord is "I" because C is the first note of the C major scale.

Big Roman numerals (like I, IV, V) usually mean major chords. Small Roman numerals (like ii, iii, vi) usually mean minor chords. Sometimes, special symbols are added for other chord types, like a small circle for a "diminished" chord.

Roman numerals can also be used for string instruments. They tell the player which string to play a note on.

Figured Bass Notation

Common Symbols for Figured Bass
Triads
Position	Intervals above bass	Symbol	Example
Root position	5 3	None	<score> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \new PianoStaff << \new Staff << \relative c' { \clef treble \time 3/4 <e g c>4 <c g' c> <c e g> } >> \new Staff << \relative c { \clef bass \time 3/4 c4 e g } \figures { < _ >4 <6> <6 4> } >> >> } </score>
1st inversion	6 3	⁶
2nd inversion	6 4	⁶ ₄
Seventh Chords
Position	Intervals above bass	Symbol	Example
Root position	75 3	⁷	<score> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \new PianoStaff << \new Staff << \relative c' { \clef treble \time 4/4 4 <g d' f> } >> \new Staff << \relative c { \clef bass \time 4/4 g4 b d f } \figures { <7>4 <6 5> <4 3> <4 2> } >> >> } </score>
1st inversion	65 3	⁶ ₅
2nd inversion	64 3	⁴ ₃
3rd inversion	64 2	⁴ ₂ or ²

Figured bass was a common way to write music during the Baroque period (around 1600-1750). It uses numbers and symbols placed below a bass line on the staff. These numbers tell a keyboard player which notes to add above the bass note to create the correct chords.

For example, if you see the numbers 4 and 6 below a C bass note, it means you should play notes a fourth and a sixth above C. This would be F and A, making an F major chord. If there are no numbers, you usually play a third and a fifth above the bass note.

Today, most musicians who play Baroque music use sheet music where the chords are already fully written out.

Chord Letters

Chord letters for different types of chords on C.

Music experts sometimes use chord letters to analyze songs. These letters use capital and small letters to show the main note of the chord. Then, symbols are added to describe the "quality" or type of the chord. For example, "C" means C major, and "c" or "Cm" means C minor.

Notation in Popular Music

In popular music like jazz, pop, and rock, musicians often use simple chord symbols. These symbols quickly show the main chords of a song. This allows musicians to improvise their own way of playing the chords.

Chord symbols usually include:

A big letter for the root note (like C).
A symbol or abbreviation for the chord quality (like "m" for minor). If there's no symbol, it's usually a major chord.
Numbers for extra notes added to the chord (like "7" or "13").
Special symbols for changes to the notes (like "b5" for a flattened fifth).
A slash "/" and another letter means to play a different bass note (like C/F means C major with F in the bass).

Here are some common chord quality symbols:

m or min means a minor chord.
M or Maj or no symbol means a major chord.
+ or aug means an augmented chord.
dim means a diminished chord.
7 means a dominant seventh chord.
sus4 means a suspended chord where the third note is replaced by the fourth.

Examples of Chord Symbols

Chord			Components
Name	Symbol (on C)		Interval	P1	m2	M2	m3	M3	P4	d5	P5	A5	M6/d7	m7	M7
Name	Short	Long	Semitones	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Major triad	C CΔ			P1				M3			P5
Major sixth chord	C⁶ CM⁶	Cmaj6		P1				M3			P5		M6
Dominant seventh chord	C⁷	Cdom7		P1				M3			P5			m7
Major seventh chord	CM⁷ C^∆7	Cmaj⁷		P1				M3			P5				M7
Augmented triad	C+	Caug		P1				M3				A5
Augmented seventh chord	C+⁷	Caug⁷		P1				M3				A5		m7
Minor triad	Cm	Cmin		P1			m3				P5
Minor sixth chord	Cm⁶	Cmin⁶		P1			m3				P5		M6
Minor seventh chord	Cm⁷	Cmin⁷		P1			m3				P5			m7
Minor-major seventh chord	Cm^M7 Cm/M7 Cm(M7)	Cmin^maj7 Cmin/maj7 Cmin(maj7)		P1			m3				P5				M7
Diminished triad	C^o	Cdim		P1			m3			d5
Diminished seventh chord	C^o⁷	Cdim⁷		P1			m3			d5			d7
Half-diminished seventh chord	C^ø C^ø⁷			P1			m3			d5				m7

How Symbols are Used

Chord symbols are great because they save space and let musicians be creative. In jazz, musicians often improvise the exact way they play a chord. A "C" chord might be played as a C major seventh chord, even if the symbol just says "C". The bass player usually plays the root note, so other musicians might leave it out.

In pop and rock music, "C" usually means a simple C major triad. If the songwriter wants a more complex chord, they will write it out clearly, like "C7" or "Cmaj7".

Chord Characteristics

Every chord has special features. These include:

The number of different notes in the chord.
Which note of the scale the chord starts on (its root).
How the notes are arranged (its "inversion").
The types of gaps (intervals) between the notes.

Scale Degree

Roman Numerals and Scale Degrees for Major Keys
Roman Numeral	Scale Degree
I	tonic
ii	supertonic
iii	mediant
IV	subdominant
V	dominant
vi	submediant
vii^o / ♭VII	leading tone / subtonic

In music, each note in a scale has a number, called a "scale degree." The first note is the "tonic." Chords are also numbered based on their root note's scale degree. For example, in C major, the C major chord is "I" because C is the tonic.

This numbering helps musicians understand how chords function in a song. It shows their role in the overall sound.

Inversion

A chord is in root position when its main note (the root) is the lowest note. When another note of the chord is the lowest, the chord is "inverted." Chords can have different inversions depending on which note is in the bass.

For example, a C major chord (C-E-G) can be:

Root position: C is the lowest note (C-E-G).
First inversion: E is the lowest note (E-G-C).
Second inversion: G is the lowest note (G-C-E).

A G7 chord in root position, first, second, and third inversions.

Chords with more notes, like a four-note chord, can have even more inversions.

Secundal, Tertian, and Quartal Chords

Type	Component intervals
Secundal	Seconds: major second, minor second
Tertian	Thirds: major third, minor third
Quartal	Fourth: perfect fourth, augmented fourth
Quintal	Fifths: diminished fifth, perfect fifth

Chords can be grouped by the size of the gaps (intervals) between their notes.

Tertian chords are built from notes that are a "third" apart. Most common chords, like major and minor triads, are tertian.
Secundal chords are built from notes that are a "second" apart. These often sound very close and clustered.
Quartal chords are built from notes that are a "fourth" apart. These can create a more open or modern sound.

Common Types of Chords

Triads

Triads are the most basic chords. They have three notes. There are four main types of triads:

Type	Component intervals		Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Third	Fifth	Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Major triad	major	perfect	C, CM, Cmaj, CΔ, Cma	C E G
Minor triad	minor	perfect	Cm, Cmin, C−, Cmi	C E♭ G
Augmented triad	major	augmented	Caug, C⁺, C+	C E G♯
Diminished triad	minor	diminished	Cdim, C^o, Cm^(♭5)	C E♭ G♭

Seventh Chords

Seventh chords are built by adding a fourth note to a triad. This new note is a "seventh" above the root. These chords add more richness and often a feeling of tension that wants to resolve.

There are many types of seventh chords. They depend on whether the original triad is major or minor, and whether the added seventh is major or minor.

Type	Component intervals			Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Third	Fifth	Seventh	Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Diminished seventh	minor	diminished	diminished	C^o⁷, Cdim⁷	C E♭ G♭ B
Half-diminished seventh	minor	diminished	minor	C^ø⁷, Cm^7♭5, C−^(♭5)	C E♭ G♭ B♭
Minor seventh	minor	perfect	minor	Cm⁷, Cmin⁷, C−⁷,	C E♭ G B♭
Minor major seventh	minor	perfect	major	Cm^M7, Cm^maj7, C−^(j7), C−^Δ7, C−^M7	C E♭ G B
Dominant seventh	major	perfect	minor	C⁷, Cdom⁷	C E G B♭
Major seventh	major	perfect	major	CM⁷, C^M7, C^maj7, C^Δ7, C^j7	C E G B
Augmented seventh	major	augmented	minor	C+⁷, Caug⁷, C⁷⁺, C⁷⁺⁵, C^7♯5	C E G♯ B♭
Augmented major seventh	major	augmented	major	C+^M7, C^M7+5, C^M7♯5, C+^j7, C+^Δ7	C E G♯ B

Extended Chords

A C dominant thirteenth chord. The red notes are the "extensions."

Extended chords go even further than seventh chords. They add more notes, like the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth, on top of a triad. For example, a dominant thirteenth chord has seven different notes!

In jazz, musicians often don't play all the notes of an extended chord. They might focus on the third, seventh, and the added "extension" notes. The root is often left for the bass player.

Type	Components				Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Chord	Extensions			Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Dominant ninth	dominant seventh	major ninth	—	—	C⁹	C E G B♭ D
Dominant eleventh	dominant seventh (the third is usually omitted)	major ninth	perfect eleventh	—	C¹¹	C E G B♭ D F
Dominant thirteenth	dominant seventh	major ninth	perfect eleventh (usually omitted)	major thirteenth	C¹³	C E G B♭ D F A

Altered Chords

An altered chord on C with a flattened fifth and ninth.

Altered chords are special chords where some notes (like the fifth, ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth) are changed slightly. This creates a unique, often tense, sound. These changes are shown with symbols like "b9" (flattened ninth) or "#11" (sharpened eleventh).

Altered chords are very common in jazz music. They add a lot of flavor and complexity.

Type	Components		Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Chord	Alteration	Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Seventh augmented fifth	dominant seventh	augmented fifth	C⁷⁺⁵, C^7♯5	C E G♯ B♭
Seventh minor ninth	dominant seventh	minor ninth	C⁷⁻⁹, C^7♭9	C E G B♭ D♭
Seventh sharp ninth	dominant seventh	augmented ninth	C⁷⁺⁹, C^7♯9	C E G B♭ D♯
Seventh augmented eleventh	dominant seventh	augmented eleventh	C⁷⁺¹¹, C^7♯11	C E G B♭ D F♯
Seventh diminished thirteenth	dominant seventh	minor thirteenth	C⁷⁻¹³, C^7♭13	C E G B♭ D F A♭
Half-diminished seventh	minor seventh	diminished fifth	C^ø, C^ø⁷, Cm^7♭5	C E♭ G♭ B♭

Added Tone Chords

A C^sus2 chord and a C^madd9 chord.

Added tone chords are triads with an extra note that isn't part of the usual "stack of thirds." For example, an "added sixth" chord has a major triad with an extra sixth note. A C⁶ chord has the notes C, E, G, and A.

The most common added sixth chord is the major sixth chord. There's also the minor sixth chord, which has a minor triad with a major sixth added.

Type	Components			Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Chord	Interval(s)		Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Add nine	major triad	major ninth	—	C², C^add9	C E G D
Add fourth	major triad	perfect fourth	—	C⁴, C^add11	C E G F
Add sixth	major triad	major sixth	—	C⁶	C E G A
Six-nine	major triad	major sixth	major ninth	C^6/9	C E G A D	—
Seven-six	major triad	major sixth	minor seventh	C^7/6	C E G A B♭	—
Mixed-third	major triad	minor third	—	—	C E♭ E G

Suspended Chords

A C^sus4 chord.

A suspended chord, or "sus chord," is a special type of chord where the third note is replaced. It's replaced by either the second or the fourth note. This creates a sound that feels like it's "hanging" or "suspended," wanting to move to a more stable chord.

The two main types are:

Suspended second (sus2): The third is replaced by the second (e.g., C-D-G).
Suspended fourth (sus4): The third is replaced by the fourth (e.g., C-F-G).

In older music, the "suspended" note had to be held over from the previous chord. In modern music, this isn't always the case. Suspended chords are often used in jazz to create an open, floating sound.

Type	Components				Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Type	Chord	Interval(s)			Chord symbol	Notes	Audio
Suspended second	open fifth	major second	—	—	C^sus2	C D G
Suspended fourth	open fifth	perfect fourth	—	—	C^sus4	C F G
Jazz sus	open fifth	perfect fourth	minor seventh	major ninth	C^9sus4	C F G B♭ D

Borrowed Chords

Borrowed chords from the parallel minor key.

A borrowed chord is a chord taken from a different key than the main key of the song. The most common type is when a chord is "borrowed" from the "parallel major or minor" key. For example, if a song is in C major, a composer might use a chord from C minor.

Borrowed chords add variety and interest to music. They are used a lot in Western popular music and rock. For instance, a song in E major might use a G major chord, which is borrowed from the key of E minor.

Bell Chord

A barbershop bell chord.

A bell chord is a cool musical trick. It's when different instruments (or singers) play the notes of a chord one after another, but they hold their notes so that all the sounds overlap and create the full chord. It's like building a chord sound by sound, creating a "pyramid" of sound.

This technique is often heard in barbershop music and old jazz big bands. You can hear it in songs like "The Charleston" by The Temperance Seven. The rock band Queen also used this "bell effect" in songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Killer Queen".

Images for kids

Guitarist performing a C chord with G bass
Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition - Promenade.ogg

Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition "Promenade", is a piece showing an explicit chord progression.
Claude Debussy - Première Arabesque - Patrizia Prati.ogg

Claude Debussy's Première arabesque. The chords on the lower stave are constructed from the notes in the actual piece, shown in the upper stave.
Chord letters for triads on C.ogg

Chord letters for triads on C
Chord progression vi-ii-V-I in C major.ogg

The chord progression vi–ii–V–I in the key of C major. Using lead sheet chord names, these chords could be referred to as A minor, D minor, G major and C major.
G7 inversions.ogg

A G⁷ chord in root position, first, second, and third inversions.
C13 chord.ogg

A dominant thirteenth chord consists of the notes C–E–G–B♭–D–F–A. The upper structure or extensions, i.e., notes beyond the seventh, are shown here in red.
C7b5b9.ogg

An altered chord on C with a diminished fifth and a minor seventh and ninth.
Csus2 and Cmadd9.ogg

A suspended chord (sus2) and added tone chord (add9) both with D (ninth = second), distinguished by the absence or presence of the third (E♭).
Csus4.ogg

A C^sus4 chord
Borrowed chords.ogg

Borrowed chords from the parallel minor key are commonly found in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras.
Barbershop bell chord