Instead of relying on online tools that can sometimes offer convoluted names, especially for slash or rootless chords, understanding the construction of guitar chords can significantly enhance your musicality. Learning triad and 7th chord construction, and familiarizing yourself with extensions and alterations, empowers you to identify chords effectively. Start learning in C major and then transpose to other keys.
The C major scale (CDEFGAB) serves as the foundation. Chords are built in thirds, meaning every other note.
Triads are constructed as follows:
- C Major (C-E-G): root-3-5
- D Minor (D-F-A): root-♭3-5
- E Minor (E-G-B): root-♭3-5
- F Major (F-A-C): root-3-5
- G Major (G-B-D): root-3-5
- A Minor (A-C-E): root-♭3-5
- B Diminished (B-D-F): root-♭3-♭5
For 7th chords, we add another third:
- C Major 7 (C-E-G-B): maj7 (root-3-5-7)
- D Minor 7 (D-F-A-C): min7 (root-♭3-5-♭7)
- E Minor 7 (E-G-B-D): min7 (root-♭3-5-♭7)
- F Major 7 (F-A-C-E): maj7 (root-3-5-7)
- G Dominant 7 (G-B-D-F): 7th (root-3-5-♭7)
- A Minor 7 (A-C-E-G): min7 (root-♭3-5-♭7)
- B Minor 7♭5 (B-D-F-A): half-diminished or min7♭5 (root-♭3-♭5-♭7)
Beyond 7th chords, extensions like 9th, 11th, and 13th are created by continuing this pattern. Notice that the upper three notes of a Cmaj7 chord (CEGB) form an Em triad, illustrating how chords are layered.
Instead of solely focusing on complex chord construction beyond 7th chords, consider extensions in relation to the 1st, 3rd, and 7th (or just 3rd and 7th for rootless voicings). Mastering drop 2 and drop 3 7th chord voicings in root position is invaluable. These shapes are fundamental in many musical styles. Understanding the degree each finger plays within the chord shape, rather than just note names, is key.
For instance, in a C major drop 3 voicing (8x998x), recognizing it as root-x-7th-3rd-5th (CxBEGx) is faster than immediately identifying the notes. This degree-based thinking is particularly useful in unfamiliar keys, allowing for quicker chord identification and improvisation.
Explore drop 2 and drop 3 chord voicings to deepen your understanding and application of Guitar Chord Identification through construction.
