Shortcuts to Identifying Chords
Notice that to change a major triad to a minor triad
only requires a change of the middle note. A C major chord can be
made into a C minor triad by lowering the middle note (Eb). This process
makes the original major third on the bottom smaller and the original
minor third on the top bigger. The result is a reversal of the major
and minor thirds. The C minor chord requires a flat which tells us
that this chord is not a member of the C major scale which has no
sharps or flats. It is actually a member of three other keys (ii of
Bb major, vi of Eb major, iii of Ab major). Try the "Maj. to
Min." button below to hear the difference.
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A minor chord can be changed into a diminished chord by lowering
the top note. This makes the original major third on the top smaller.
Now, we have two minor thirds which define a diminished triad. Once
again, the new diminished chord is a member of another key (vii of
Db major). Try the "Maj. to Dim." and "Min. to Dim."
buttons to hear the difference in sound.
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The same but opposite process can turn a major triad into an augmented
one. Raising the top note makes the original minor third on top
bigger and we end up with two major thirds. The augmented chord
is not a member of any major key. Augmented chords are members of
minor keys which will be discussed later. Try the "Maj. to
Aug." button to hear the difference between the two triads.
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To use these shortcuts, all you have to really memorize are the seven
chords in C major. Then, compare them to any new chord you face and see
how it has been changed from the same chord in the C major scale. For
example, a triad with a D, F# and A differs from the second chord in C
major (D, F, A) which is normally minor. Because the second chord in the
C major scale is minor, when the middle note is raised (the F#), then the
triad moves from minor to major. You must first memorize the normal state
of each of the C major triads: I, IV and V are major, ii, iii and vi are
minor, and the vii chord is diminished. Using these triads as starting
points, you can see how each of the notes in a new chord are different
to determine what the new form is.
Remember that if all the notes of a triad are changed in the same direction
the triad remains the same. C and C# triads are both major because all
the notes are raised the same amount. These are certainly not the only
shortcuts available for identifying chords. Maybe you will find a few
of your own as you explore chord structures.
Eventually, you just learn the chord names the same way you know the names of your friends. You don't use any conscious system. They just become familiar through continual contact.
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