Chord structures
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| Name | relative intervals | example in C | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- basic chords -- | ||||
| maj | 0 - 2 - 1.5 | C - E - G | ||
| min | 0 - 1.5 - 2 | C - Eb - G | ||
| dim | 0 - 1.5 - 1.5 - 1.5 | C - Eb - Gb - A | ||
| aug | 0 - 2 - 2 | C - E - G# | ||
| -- a few variations -- | ||||
| 6th | 0 - 2 - 1.5 - 1 (major+6) | C - E - G - A | ||
| 7th | 0 - 2 - 1.5 - 1.5 (major+7) | C - E - G - A# | ||
| maj7th | 0 - 2 - 1.5 - 2 (major+7.5) | C - E - G - B | ||
| min7th | 0 - 1.5 - 2 - 1.5 (minor+7) | C - Eb - G - A# | ||
- maj = major -- the most common chord-type. Sounds "open" and "happy".
- min = minor -- next most common. Sounds "sad".
- dim = diminished. Like a minor chord with the top note lowered a half-step, leaving room for a 4th note. "Spooky". Often used for transitions.
- aug = augmented. Like a major chord with the top note raised a half-step.
You can combine some of these, like "major augmented 6th" but there are conventions which sometimes come into play (e.g. "major 7th" is not a major plus a 7th, and it should be called a "major seven-and-a-halfth" but it isn't) so it's usually simpler just to give the basic chord and then describe the alterations.