Major chords
A major chord has three notes: the root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1 3 5. The root, major 3rd and 5th. It is the most common chord there is, and the I, IV and V chords of every major key are major.
On C it is written C, and also Cmaj and CM.
Major chords in every key
| Chord | Notes | Shapes |
|---|---|---|
| C | C E G | guitar · piano · bass |
| Db | Db F Ab | guitar · piano · bass |
| D | D F# A | guitar · piano · bass |
| Eb | Eb G Bb | guitar · piano · bass |
| E | E G# B | guitar · piano · bass |
| F | F A C | guitar · piano · bass |
| F# | F# A# C# | guitar · piano · bass |
| G | G B D | guitar · piano · bass |
| Ab | Ab C Eb | guitar · piano · bass |
| A | A C# E | guitar · piano · bass |
| Bb | Bb D F | guitar · piano · bass |
| B | B D# F# | guitar · piano · bass |
Major compared
| Chord | Symbol | Formula | Notes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | C | 1 3 5 | C E G | |
| Minor | Cm | 1 b3 5 | C Eb G | Cm and C share C and G. Cm has Eb, the flat 3rd, where C has E, the 3rd. |
| Power Chord | C5 | 1 5 | C G | C5 is C (C, E and G) without E, the 3rd. |
| Sus4 | Csus4 | 1 4 5 | C F G | Csus4 and C share C and G. Csus4 has F, the 4th, where C has E, the 3rd. |
Questions
What is a major chord?
A major chord has three notes: the root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1 3 5. The root, major 3rd and 5th. It is the most common chord there is, and the I, IV and V chords of every major key are major.
How do you write a major chord?
On C it is written C, and also Cmaj and CM.
What is the difference between C and Cm?
C and Cm share C and G. C has E, the 3rd, where Cm has Eb, the flat 3rd.