Photo: KoolShooters

What is a natural chord?

simplifyingtheory.com - What are Chords, Triads and Tetrads? - Simplifying Theory

What should 5th graders learn in music?

Fifth graders are ready to learn fundamental concepts including music history, rhythm basics and an understanding of instruments and performance.

Last updated Oct 11, 2018

What should you not mix with vinegar?

The Three Things You Should Never Mix with Vinegar Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar. You may assume that combining these two ingredients in the same...

Last updated Jun 2, 2021

Promotion

A chord is the union of three or more notes played simultaneously. There are countless possible combinations to be made with notes, resulting in the most diverse chords. So, to make life easier for musicians, each chord is given a name. This name is based on the fundamental notes we know (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti).

Definition of natural chords

Before learning how to name chords, it is important to know that some chords are given the same name as the notes (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti). These are called natural chords. Each of these chords consists of three notes. Moreover, there is a rule to find out what those three notes are. The notes that form the natural chords are the first, the third and the fifth degrees of their respective scales. Later on, we will apply this rule in practice, to facilitate visualization. Before that, it is worth knowing that a chord can be major, minor or suspended. These nomenclatures are related to the third degree. To form the major chords, you use the major third degree. To form the minor chords, you use the minor third degree. When the chord does not have the third degree, it cannot be classified as major or minor, receiving the denomination “suspended“. The symbols used are as follows: “m” to say that the chord is minor and “sus” to say that the chord is suspended. When none of these symbols exist, it means that the chord is major. See the examples below, using the C chord:

The fifth degree, in all these cases, is the perfect fifth.

What are triads?

Very well, when we talk about the three notes that form the natural chords, we are talking about the triad of each chord. This name exists to represent the chord forming notes. The definition of a triad then is the following: three notes that form chords (1st, 3rd and 5th degrees). Well, now that we’ve learned the rules, let’s form chords using these concepts. Think of a chord that you want to form. For example, C major.

Who was the first rapper on TV?

Kurtis Blow becomes the first rapper to perform on national television when he does ""The Breaks"" on Soul Train.

Last updated Sep 2, 2020

What causes a dead piano key?

A piano key is considered “dead” when it does not make a sound when struck. This is a common occurrence with pianos both new and old, especially in...

Last updated Aug 10, 2022

Promotion

First degree: C

Major third degree: E

Fifth degree (perfect fifth): G

Therefore, the C major chord is formed by the notes C, E and G. All you have to do is press (or let sound) these notes on your instrument and you will have the C major chord. Now let’s form the F minor chord:

First degree: F

Minor third degree: A flat

Perfect fifth: C

Therefore, the F minor chord is formed by the notes F, A flat and C.

What are tetrads?

So far, we’ve only seen chords formed with 3 notes. By expanding the concept a bit, we can work with 4 notes instead of just 3, and we do this by adding the seventh degree to our previous chords. Thus, we form the seventh chords. The set of degrees first, third, fifth and seventh consist of a tetrad. The seventh degree can be major or minor. Okay, so from now on when you hear someone say “play the tetrad of chord xxx“, you will already know that it is the first, third, fifth and seventh degrees of the chord in question. These are the main notes of the chord, known as chord notes (or chord tones). In the studies below, you will understand that these are the notes that characterize a harmonic function. For now, it is enough to know only that these notes are the backbone of the chord. They define whom we are talking about, they are the ones who guide us.

Go to: Music Intervals – another view

Back to: Module 2

simplifyingtheory.com - What are Chords, Triads and Tetrads? - Simplifying Theory

Can I get a key cut without the original?

If it's a lost key a locksmith can make you a key without the original, as locksmiths can make keys to lock by hand. By using a blank and a file...

Last updated Oct 15, 2021

Is a Kawai piano a good piano?

Kawai doesn't make as many pianos as Yamaha, but you will still find Kawai products in many places. As far as quality is concerned most would agree...

Last updated Dec 15, 2022

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

Who is pirate God?

Corsair, God of Pirates. Jul 17, 2022

Last updated Aug 20, 2020

Promotion

Who was the first person to tap?

When enslaved people couldn't perform with their traditional drums, they found ways to make similar sounds with their feet and bodies to keep their...

Last updated Jan 12, 2022