COMPOSITION OF A CHORD
A chord is always composed of notes which are called the tonic, third, fifth, and possibly the seventh to be played on demand (if indicated in the score )
- The tonic is the root that gives its name to the chord, and is usually the lowest note of the chord , played generally by the electric bass or double bass .
The third, fifth and seventh are intervals between notes defined as follows:
| Major Third: | 2 | steps over the tonic |
| Minor third: | 1 ½ | steps over the tonic |
| Diminished fifth: | 3 | steps over the tonic |
| Perfect fifth: | 3 ½ | steps over the tonic |
| Augmented fifth: | 4 | steps over the tonic |
| Diminished seventh: | 4 ½ | steps over the tonic |
| Minor seventh: | 5 | steps over the tonic |
| Major seventh: | 5 ½ | steps over the tonic |
Let's see how chords are encrypted:
For example, A-5bM7 :
- The “-“ indicates a minor third (the third, if major, is not specified) (note = C)
- 5b indicates that the fifth is diminished (note = Eb)
- M7 indicates that the seventh is major (note =Ab)
It is therefore a chord built with the notes A + C + E flat + A flat
For example, B5 # 7
- No indication about the third, it is major (Note = Eb)
- 5# indicates an augmented fifth (Note = G)
- 7 indicated a minor seventh (note = A)
So this chord is built with the notes B + Eb + G + A
For example, A
- The third is major (Note = C # )
- The fifth is perfect (Note = E )
- The seventh is not played since not mentioned
The chord is composed of notes A + C# + E