Major Chords
The foundation of Western harmony - bright, stable, and optimistic
How Major Chords Are Built
Understanding the intervals that create the major sound
A major chord is built from three notes (called a triad) with specific intervals:
Major Chord Formula
Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th
Or in semitones: 0 - 4 - 7
Example: C Major
- Root: C (the foundation)
- Major 3rd: E (4 semitones above C)
- Perfect 5th: G (7 semitones above C)
All Major Chords
The 12 major chords and their notes
C Major
C - E - G
C#/Db Major
C# - F - G#
D Major
D - F# - A
D#/Eb Major
Eb - G - Bb
E Major
E - G# - B
F Major
F - A - C
F#/Gb Major
F# - A# - C#
G Major
G - B - D
G#/Ab Major
Ab - C - Eb
A Major
A - C# - E
A#/Bb Major
Bb - D - F
B Major
B - D# - F#
Characteristics of Major Chords
Sound Quality
- Bright and cheerful
- Stable and resolved
- Optimistic and uplifting
- Often associated with happiness
Common Uses
- Tonic chords (I) for establishing key centers
- Dominant chords (V) for creating resolution
- Happy, celebratory songs
- Pop, rock, folk, and classical music
Practice Exercises
1. Build Major Chords
Starting from any note, practice building major chords using the formula:
Root + 4 semitones + 3 semitones
2. Play the Circle of Fifths
Practice major chords in the order: C - G - D - A - E - B - F# - C# - Ab - Eb - Bb - F - C
3. Compare Major vs Minor
Play C major (C-E-G) then C minor (C-Eb-G). Notice how changing just one note creates a completely different mood.