Major chords are one of the fundamental building blocks of Western music. They are known for their bright and happy sound, and they play a crucial role in creating harmony and establishing tonality in countless songs. Major chords will be the first ones you will likely learn when entering the music world. In this article, we will learn what a major chord is and the notes in major chords.
What is a major chord?
In music theory, a major chord is a triad, which means it consists of three notes: the root, the major third, and the perfect fifth. The root note determines the name of the chord, while the major third and perfect fifth provide the characteristic sound of a major chord. For example, in the key of C major, the C major chord is built on the notes C, E, and G. When played together, these three notes create the C major chord’s distinctive sound.
Major chords are often associated with feelings of brightness, joy, and optimism. They are commonly used in many different genres, including pop, rock, classical, jazz, and more. These chords are often used as the foundation for chord progressions, melodies, and harmonies in music, providing a sense of stability and resolution.
Notes in major chords
Here are the notes in major chords based on each root note in the chromatic scale:
| Chord name | Chord notes |
| C | C – E – G |
| C# | C♯ – E♯ (F) – G♯ |
| Db | D♭ – F – A♭ |
| D | D – F♯ – A |
| D# | D♯ – G – A♯ |
| Eb | E♭ – G – B♭ |
| E | E – G♯ – B |
| F | F – A – C |
| F# | F♯ – A♯ – C♯ |
| Gb | G♭ – B♭ – D♭ |
| G | G – B – D |
| G# | G♯ – B♯ (C) – D♯ |
| Ab | A♭ – C – E♭ |
| A | A – C♯ – E |
| A# | A♯ – D – E♯ (F) |
| Bb | B♭ – D – F |
| B | B – D♯ – F♯ |
Check out the chord library in our Guitar Tunio app to learn more about major chords and use them in your music. Don’t forget to visit our blog to read more useful and amazing articles.
