Chord Library
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Major chords
The foundation of Western music. A major chord is built from a root, a major 3rd (4 semitones up), and a perfect 5th (7 semitones up). It sounds bright, happy, and stable.
- C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B — all 12 major chords
- Common progressions: I–IV–V (C–F–G), I–V–vi–IV (C–G–Am–F)
Minor chords
A minor chord uses a minor 3rd (3 semitones) instead of a major 3rd. It sounds sad, moody, or contemplative. Every major key has a relative minor that shares the same key signature.
- Cm, Dbm, Dm, Ebm, Em, Fm, Gbm, Gm, Abm, Am, Bbm, Bm
- Common progressions: i–iv–v (Cm–Fm–Gm), i–VI–III–VII (Cm–Ab–Eb–Bb)
Seventh chords
Add a 7th interval to a triad for richer harmony. The four main types:
- Major 7th (Cmaj7) — smooth, jazzy, dreamy
- Dominant 7th (C7) — bluesy, wants to resolve down a 4th
- Minor 7th (Cm7) — mellow, soulful, relaxed
- Minor major 7th (CmMaj7) — cinematic, mysterious
Suspended chords
A suspended chord replaces the 3rd with a 2nd (sus2) or 4th (sus4). Without the 3rd, the chord is neither major nor minor — it sounds open, tense, and unresolved. Common in pop and rock.
- Sus2 (Csus2) — root, major 2nd, perfect 5th
- Sus4 (Csus4) — root, perfect 4th, perfect 5th
- 9sus4 (C9sus4) — sus4 with 7th and 9th added
Extended chords
Stack more thirds on top of a 7th chord: 9th, 11th, 13th. These are the dense, colourful chords used in jazz, neo-soul, and R&B. On guitar, some notes are often dropped to keep them playable.
- 9th (C9) — dominant 7th + major 9th
- Minor 9th (Cm9) — minor 7th + major 9th
- Major 9th (Cmaj9) — major 7th + major 9th
- 11th and 13th — even richer extensions
Altered chords
An altered chord raises or lowers one or more notes for tension. Common in jazz and blues:
- 7#5 / 7b5 — raised or lowered 5th
- 7#9 / 7b9 — raised or lowered 9th (the #9 is the "Hendrix chord")
- Diminished 7th (Cdim7) — stacked minor 3rds, symmetrical
Add chords
An add chord adds an interval without the 7th being present:
- Add9 (Cadd9) — major triad + major 9th (no 7th)
- Maj9 (CMaj9) — major 7th + major 9th
Use the chord player to hear and see every chord listed above. Tap a root on the left, then tap any chord to play it.