How do you build a major chord?

With the root, the major third (4 half steps above) and the perfect fifth (7 half steps above). C major is C E G. Lower the third by a half step and you get the minor chord: C E flat G.

What is the difference between maj7 and 7?

Both add a seventh to a major triad. In maj7 the seventh is major (C E G B); in 7, called the dominant seventh, it is minor (C E G B flat).

What do sus4 and sus2 mean?

They are suspended chords: the third is replaced by the fourth (sus4: C F G) or by the second (sus2: C D G). With no third they are neither major nor minor.

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Chords

A chord is a group of three or more notes played together. It is described by a formula of degrees relative to the major scale: 1 3 5 for a major chord, 1 ♭3 5 for a minor chord, 1 3 5 ♭7 for a dominant seventh.

Pick a root note and a chord type: you see the notes on the keyboard, the formula compared with the major scale and the inversions, and you hear the result.

Chord

Note names

C

Major · Root position

Inversions

Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

C major chord →

All C chords

Tap a chord to hear it and open it in the tool above.

Triads

Three notes a third apart: the foundation of all harmony.

Suspended and power chords

Chords without a third: neither major nor minor, with an open sound.

Sixths

A triad with an added major sixth.

Sevenths

Four notes: a triad plus the seventh, which gives the chord a direction.

Ninths

Chords that reach beyond the octave by adding the ninth.

Chord vocabulary

Triad: A three-note chord: root, third and fifth. The third decides whether it is major or minor.
Seventh chord: A triad with the seventh above the root added. There are several kinds, depending on the triad and the seventh used.
Inversion: The same chord with a note other than the root in the bass: the third in first inversion, the fifth in second.
Suspended chord (sus): The third is replaced by the second (sus2) or the fourth (sus4): the chord sounds as if it is waiting to resolve.
Power chord: Root and fifth only. With no third it is neither major nor minor, and it is typical of rock guitar.
Slash chord: A symbol with a slash, such as C/E: it means a C chord with E as the lowest note.

All chords, on every note

Triads

Major

Minor

Diminished

Augmented

Suspended and power chords

Sus2

Sus4

Power chord (fifth)

Sixths

Major sixth

Minor sixth

Sevenths

Major seventh

Dominant seventh

Minor seventh

Half-diminished

Diminished seventh

Minor major seventh

Augmented seventh

Augmented major seventh

Ninths

Add9 (added ninth)

Dominant ninth

Major ninth

Minor ninth

Frequently asked questions

How do you build a major chord?: With the root, the major third (4 half steps above) and the perfect fifth (7 half steps above). C major is C E G. Lower the third by a half step and you get the minor chord: C E flat G.
What is the difference between maj7 and 7?: Both add a seventh to a major triad. In maj7 the seventh is major (C E G B); in 7, called the dominant seventh, it is minor (C E G B flat).
What do sus4 and sus2 mean?: They are suspended chords: the third is replaced by the fourth (sus4: C F G) or by the second (sus2: C D G). With no third they are neither major nor minor.

Texts and tools by Stefano Corradi, professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 8, 2026.

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