Question 1

What is a chord in music theory?

Accepted Answer

A chord is a group of three or more musical notes played together. The simplest chords are built by stacking thirds on top of a root note.

Question 2

How do you construct a major chord?

Accepted Answer

A major chord is built from the root, a major third (4 semitones), and a perfect fifth (7 semitones) above the root.

Question 3

What is the difference between diminished and augmented chords?

Accepted Answer

A diminished chord has a minor third and a diminished fifth, creating a tense, unstable sound. An augmented chord has a major third and a raised fifth, producing a dreamy, floating quality.

Question 4

What are chord inversions and why do they matter?

Accepted Answer

Chord inversions rearrange the notes so a different chord tone is in the bass. They create smoother voice leading and different textures without changing the chord quality.

Question 5

How many chord types are there in music?

Accepted Answer

There are dozens of chord types, including triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented), seventh chords, extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th), and suspended chords.

Question 6

What is a dominant 7th chord?

Accepted Answer

A dominant 7th chord consists of a major triad plus a minor 7th interval. It is bluesy, tense, and strongly wants to resolve to the tonic chord.

Question 7

What are suspended chords (sus2 and sus4)?

Accepted Answer

Suspended chords replace the third with a major second (sus2) or a perfect fourth (sus4). They sound open, ambiguous, and often resolve to a major or minor triad.

Question 8

How do chord qualities affect the mood of a song?

Accepted Answer

Major chords sound bright and happy, minor chords sound dark and sad, diminished chords feel tense and eerie, and augmented chords feel dreamy and mysterious.

Question 9

What is the difference between a major 7th and a dominant 7th chord?

Accepted Answer

A major 7th chord uses a major triad with a major 7th, sounding lush and dreamy. A dominant 7th chord uses a major triad with a minor 7th, sounding bluesy and unresolved.

Question 10

How do you read chord symbols and notation?

Accepted Answer

Chord symbols use the root letter, quality indicators (m for minor, + for augmented, ° for diminished), and numbers for extensions (7, 9, 11, 13). Inversions are sometimes written as slash chords (e.g. C/E).