What Makes a Chord Major or Minor

What gives a chord or triad its quality depends on what type of 3rds it has in it:

Major –  Major 3rd, minor 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

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minor – minor 3rd, Major 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Augmented – Major 3rd, Major 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

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diminished – minor 3rd, minor 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

There it is!  It’s not too complicated but you need to understand Major and minor 3rds.  Of course there are always multiple ways to get to the same thing.  The best method for building chords, in my opinion, is using scale degrees.  Try out the next lesson!

Next Lesson: Building Chords Using Scale Degrees

Previous Lesson: Chord Qualities to a Major Scale

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