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Chords are the foundation of harmony in music. They are essential in classical compositions, jazz improvisations, and modern popular music. During music lessons at Music Vox Studio in Kraków we help students develop their musical skills on various instruments and in singing through practical exercises and helpful resources, making it easier to understand music and create their own projects. In this article, we will discuss the basic types of chords, triads - their construction, and their applications in different musical genres.

What is a chord?

A chord is a combination of at least three different notes played simultaneously. Traditionally, chords are built using thirds, which follows the principles of classical harmony and the harmonic series. In modern music, especially jazz, quartal chords and other interval structures are also common.

Types of chords

The basic classification of chords includes:

• Triads – three-note chords forming the foundation of the major-minor system.
• Seventh chords – four-note chords including an additional seventh.
• Ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords – more complex structures commonly used e.g in jazz.

Triads

Each triad consists of two thirds:

• Major chord – major third + minor third (e.g., C-E-G)
• Minor chord – minor third + major third (e.g., C-E♭-G)
• Augmented chord – two major thirds (e.g., C-E-G#)
• Diminished chord – two minor thirds (e.g., C-E♭-G♭)

A triad constructed in this way through tertian harmony is called the root position of a chord. The same chord can be structured differently, for example, through an inversion, which we will likely discuss in future articles on our blog posts.

Symbols and chords notation

The table below shows how each type of the aforementioned triads is notated in contemporary music (using C as an example).

Chord type	Symbol	Notes
Major triad	C, Cmaj, Cma
Minor chord	Cm, Cmin, Cmi
Diminished chord	C0, Cdim
Augmented chord	C+, Caug

It is important to note that each individual note of a given triad serves as a specific chord tonein a given context. For example, in a major chord: C is the root (1), E is the third (3), and G is the fifth (5). The same principle applies to other triads, such as the minor triad: C is the root (1), E♭ is the third (3), and G is the fifth (5), and so on.

Triads on a guitar

It is worth noting that the same triad can be played in several different ways on the guitar. Therefore, it is essential to focus on mastering the ability to play the interval both melodically and harmonically from each string (starting from the 6th string E, 5th string A, 4th string D, and 3rd string G). Additionally, it is important to always be aware of the location of each chord tone at any given moment. Below are diagrams showing the placement of different types of triads (using C as an example). These diagrams indicate where each chord tone is located in a given position.

1. Major triad

2. Minor triad

3. Diminished triad

4. Augmented triad

How to practice triads?

1. Play simple melodies (melodically and harmonically) using a single, specific triad. Use our backing tracks:
   • Major triad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgoeWiInc04
   • Minor triad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZk5LUCiHdc
   • Diminished triad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R58MCeCWxk
   • Augmented triad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaWzplnIDs
   • Practice both melodically and harmonically, e.g on a guitar as follows: Only starting from the 6th string, Only starting from the 5th string, Only starting from the 4th string, Only starting from the 3rd string
2. Use triad recognition apps daily (we'll cover this in detail in our next blog posts)

Conclusion

Chords are a key element of music – from simple triads to complex jazz structures. Knowing them helps to better understand harmony and develop your instrumental skills.

Remember, the key to success is consistency. Practicing with backing tracks, working with music notation, and improving your instrument or vocal skills are all areas that require patience but bring long-term results. Even a few minutes of daily practice can significantly improve your abilities.

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