Basic 4 Note Chord Construc on

Our system of harmony is based on stacking intervals of a 3rd (Notes that are 3 le er
names apart) on top of each other.

We will use the C Major scale to demonstrate as it has no sharps or ats.

We will start by using the note C, which is the ROOT of the C major scale.

C D E F G A B C

1.
From the C, we need to count up the scale for three le ers C D E
2.
Place the E above the C
3.
From the E, we now need to count up another three le ers E F G
4.
Place the G above the E
5.
From the E, we now need to count up another three le ers G A B
6.
Place the B above the G
B
G
E
C
These three notes stacked on top of each other are referred to as a TRIAD.
The C is referred to as the ROOT of the chord, the E is the THIRD of the chord, the G
is the FIFTH of the chord and the B is the SEVENTH of the chord.
Here is the en re C major scale with 4 note chords built on every degree. The
uppercase roman numerals represent major chords, the lowercase minor chords and
the chord with dim a er it is a diminished chord. We will discuss what makes them
di erent another me.

Seventh B C D E F G A B
Fi h G A B C D E F G
Third E F G A B C D E
Root C D E F G A B C
I ii iii IV V vi viidim I
ff
ft
ti
ti
ft
ti
tt
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fl
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