"Chord Theory"

Chords are made up of notes From the relevant Diatonic Scale,

using certain formula.

 For example;

Major formula = 1st + 3rd + 5th notes

A Major  = A + C# + E

Minor Formula= 1st + b3rd + 5th

A Minor = A + C + E

Some Common Chords and their formulae

 

   

NAME:             

SYMBOL: 

Formula:
Power chord/No 3rd  

5 or "no 3rd"

1 + 5
Major

M

1 + 3 + 5
Minor      

m

1 + b3 + 5
Major Add5  *! add5

1 + 3 + 5
Major Add9 add9

1 + 3 + 5 + 9
Dominant 7

7th

1 + 3 + 5 + b7
Major 7

maj7 or Δ

1 + 3 + 5 + 7
Minor 7                

m7

1 + b3 + 5 + b7
sixth

6

1 + 3 + 5 + 6
Suspended 2nd

sus2 

1 + 2 + 5
Suspended 4th

sus4

1 + 4 + 5
Augmented

+

1 + 3 + #5
Diminished

°

1 + b3 + b5 + 6
Dominant 9th

9th

1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9
Dominant 11th   

11th

1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11
Dominant  13th   

13th

1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*! The "Add 5" Chord is really just a Major chord 

I use it only with the Gadd5 to show the difference between that and the G Major

because it has that "Extra" 5th (D) note on the 2nd string making it quite distinctive in sound