MICRO COURSE · 6-PAGE PDF · FROM $2
How Chords Work.
From triads to 13ths
Ever wondered why a chord is called Cmaj7, C9 or Csus4? This short micro course shows you how every chord is built from the same simple idea: a root note, plus other notes counted as numbers from its scale. Once you can see the numbers, the names stop being a mystery.
Who it's for
Beginners and improvers who already strum a few chords and want to understand what they are playing. It's ideal if you've seen chord names like Cadd9, E7♯9 or G13 and wondered what the numbers mean.
Before you start: you should already be able to play a few basic open chords, such as C, A, D and E. You don't need to read music or know any theory. Chord boxes and fret counts are explained as you go.
One idea.
Every chord makes sense.
Start with the major scale and its numbers, then build chords one small step at a time. Each step changes or adds a single note, and every chord comes with a chord box showing the note names and scale degrees on each string.
Everything is shown in C first, so you can compare chords side by side, with "Try this" exercises to hear each change on your guitar.
- 01The major scale and its numbers
Scale degrees 1 to 7, counting on past the octave to 9, 11 and 13, and tones and semitones in frets.
- 02How 1, 3 and 5 make a major chord
The major triad, and why a C shape on six strings is still only three notes.
- 03Minor, diminished and augmented
Flatten the 3rd for minor, then flatten or raise the 5th for the other triads.
- 04Sevenths
Dominant 7, major 7, minor 7 and minor 7 flat 5, and why 7 and ♭7 are different notes.
- 05Ninths, sharp 9 and flat 9
add9 versus 9, major 9, minor 9, and the famous "Hendrix chord", E7♯9.
- 06Suspended chords
sus2, sus4 and 7sus4, and how they resolve back to the 3rd.
- 07Elevenths and thirteenths
Stacking notes up to the 13th, and which notes guitarists leave out.
- 08Summary table and practice
Twenty chord types in C with formulas and notes on one page, plus five short exercises to try at the guitar.
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