4/9 4. Chords and Chord Construction Free Online FlashCards

What is a chord?

A chord is a group of three or more different pitch classes sounding together.

What is the formula for a major triad?

A major triad contains a root, major third, and perfect fifth: 1–3–5. Example: C–E–G.

What is the formula for a diminished triad?

A diminished triad contains a root, minor third, and diminished fifth: 1–♭3–♭5. Example: C–E♭–G♭.

Construct an F♯ minor triad.

F♯ minor is F♯–A–C♯: root F♯, minor third A, and perfect fifth C♯.

What determines a triad’s inversion?

In root position, the root is the bass note. In first and second inversion, the third or fifth, respectively, is in the bass.

What does the slash mean in C/E?

C/E means a C-major triad with E in the bass, so it is in first inversion.

What notes make up a seventh chord?

A seventh chord is a four-note chord that can be arranged as three stacked thirds: root, third, fifth, and seventh.

How do C7 and Cmaj7 differ?

C7 is C–E–G–B♭, a dominant seventh. Cmaj7 is C–E–G–B, a major seventh.

How is C°7 spelled correctly?

C°7 is C–E♭–G♭–B𝄫. The double-flat seventh is required by the fully diminished spelling.

How does Roman-numeral case show triad quality?

Uppercase Roman numerals indicate major chords; lowercase numerals indicate minor chords. A lowercase numeral with ° indicates a diminished chord.

What are the diatonic triads in C major?

The diatonic triads are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, and vii°: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, and diminished.

Analyze B–D–F–G in C major with B in the bass.

B–D–F–G rearranges to G–B–D–F, a G7. In C major, G is scale degree 5 and B is the third in the bass, so the analysis is V⁶₅.