Chord Tones
Roots, 3rds, and 5ths
Understand the three notes that make basic major and minor chords work.
Triads have three jobs
The root names the chord, the 3rd gives the chord its major or minor color, and the 5th stabilizes the sound.
For C major, those chord tones are C, E, and G. For C minor, the 3rd changes to Eb, creating a darker color.
Function beats shape memorization
Instead of only memorizing grips, ask what job each note is doing inside the chord.
That makes chord tones easier to move into new keys and easier to use in melodies.
Build C major on nearby strings
Play C on the A string fret 3, E on the D string fret 2, and G on the open G string.
Those three notes are enough to express C major even before you play a full open-chord shape.
Use the idea on your guitar
Hear the 3rd change
- Play C on A string fret 3, then E on D string fret 2, then G open.
- Now replace E with Eb on D string fret 1 and play C, Eb, G.
Listen for: Notice how one changed note turns the chord color from major to minor.
Major and minor color in songs
Reference: Countless pop, rock, folk, and blues progressions
When a song moves between major and minor chords, the 3rd is usually the note that tells your ear the emotional color changed.
You can discuss a progression as chord names, but chord tones explain why those names sound different.
Write two chord colors
Write a two-chord vamp that alternates between a major triad sound and a minor triad sound on the same root.
- Keep the root and 5th the same.
- Change only the 3rd and describe the color change in your own words.
Before you move on
- Which chord tone usually decides major vs minor?
- The 3rd.
- What does the root do?
- It names and centers the chord.