Basic Chords and How to Build Them

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Basic Chords and How to Build Them

• 11th Grade Theory
• Paul Stewart, Teacher

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Harmony is one of the Building Blocks of Music

• Understanding Harmony is just as important as
  understanding Melody or Rhythm!
• Lets learn some basic chords!

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What is a Chord?

• A Chord is 2 or more notes sounded at the same
  time
• Chords are built based on or using specific
  Intervals
• Interval - the distance between 2 notes
• We have already discussed intervals, but lets
  review quickly!

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Interval Types

• Intervals come in 4 Basic Qualities
• Major
• Minor
• Diminished
• Augmented

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There are 8 Simple Intervals which can be any
Quality

• Unison (1)
• Second (2)
• Third (3)
• Fourth (4)
• Fifth (5)
• Sixth (6)
• Seventh (7)
• Octave (8)

A Unison cannot be diminished
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Using Intervals to build Chords

• Most Chords are built using thirds
• The most common chord using thirds is called a
  Triad

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What is a Triad?

• A Triad is a chord consisting of three notes
• Root The chord defining note and, for now, the
  lowest the Bass
• 3rd A Third above the Root
• 5th A Fifth above the Root (A Third above the
  3rd)
• There are 4 Basic Triads
• Major Triad (M)
• Minor Triad (m)
• Diminished Triad ()
• Augmented Triad ()

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Major Triads

• A Major Triad consists of a Major Third above the
  Root and a Major Fifth above the Root
• C-E Major 3rd C-GMajor 5th

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Minor Triads

• A Minor Triad consists of a Minor Third above the
  Root and a Major Fifth above the Root
• C-Eb Minor 3rd C-G Major 5th

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Diminished Triads

• A Diminished Triad consists of a Minor Third
  above the Root and a Diminished Fifth above the
  Root
• C-Eb Minor 3rd C-Gb Diminished 5th

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Augmented Triads

• An Augmented Triad consists of a Major Third
  above the Root and an Augmented Fifth above the
  Root
• C-E Major 3rd C-G Augmented 5th

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Seventh Chords

• When we add a fourth note to a Triad, we get a
  Seventh Chord
• A Seventh Chord consists of four notes
• Root
• 3rd
• 5th
• 7th a seventh above the Root (A Third above the
  5th)

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Types of Seventh Chords

• There are 3 basic kinds of Seventh Chords we will
  discuss (there are more, but we will get to those
  later in the semester)
• Major Major 7th (MM7)
• Major Minor 7th (Mm7)
• Minor Minor 7th (mm7)

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Major Major Seventh Chords

• A Major Major Seventh consists of a Major Triad
  with an additional Major Seventh above the Root
• C-B Major 7th

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Major Minor Seventh Chords

• A Major Minor Seventh consists of a Major Triad
  with an additional Minor Seventh above the Root
• C-Bb Minor 7th

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Minor Minor Seventh Chords

• A Minor Minor Seventh consists of a Minor Triad
  with an additional Minor Seventh above the Root
• C-Bb Minor 7th

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TEST NEXT FRIDAY

• Be sure that you know all of these chords
• If you need additional help, see me after school
• Next week, we will learn about Diminished Seventh
  Chords and a little thing called Harmonic
  Function!

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Have a Great Weekend

• (And dont forget to study)