With all the different kinds of chords out there, have you ever wondered how many there actually are and how they differ from one another? We’ve taken the time to put together a list of the different chord types.
So: What types of chords are there? There are many different chord types, above all the triads in their “major,” “minor,” “diminished,” and “augmented” forms. In addition, there are seventh chords and extended chords in various forms.
But what exactly does that mean? What does a triad actually look like? And a seventh chord? Just read on – we have the answers for you.
The different chord types
In Western music, there are many different chord types, made up of different combinations of intervals. Here are some of the most common and most important chord types:
Triads
- Major triad: consists of a major third followed by a minor third (e.g., C-E-G)
- Minor triad: consists of a minor third followed by a major third (e.g., A-C-E)
- Diminished triad: consists of two minor thirds (e.g., B-D-F)
- Augmented triad: consists of two major thirds (e.g., C-E-G#)
Four-note chords (seventh chords)
- Major seventh chord: This chord type consists of a major triad plus a major seventh (e.g., C-E-G-B).
- Dominant seventh chord (major-minor seventh chord): major triad plus a minor seventh (e.g., G-B-D-F)
- Minor seventh chord: minor triad plus a minor seventh (e.g., A-C-E-G)
- Half-diminished seventh chord: diminished triad plus a minor seventh (e.g., B-D-F-A).
- Diminished seventh chord: diminished triad plus a diminished seventh (e.g., B-D-F-Ab).
Extended chords
These chord types contain notes that go beyond the seventh, such as the ninth, the eleventh, and the thirteenth.
- Ninth chords: for example, Cmaj9, Cm9
- Eleventh chords: for example, C11, Cm11
- Thirteenth chords: for example, C13, Cm13
Other chords
- Suspended chords: for example, Csus2, Csus4
- Quartal chords: chords built mainly from fourths
- Cluster chords: chords in which the notes lie close together, often in semitone or whole-tone steps
- Slash chords: a chord that has a bass note other than its root. The bass note can be the third or the fifth, but often another note is used, usually one from the diatonic scale. As a composer or arranger, you can make a song more exciting this way by making the chord progressions more pleasing to the ear. The Beatles were masters at combining simple chord progressions with different bass notes.
This is not a complete list of all chord types, as there are many variations and combinations of chords, especially in modern musical styles such as jazz and contemporary classical music. Chord structures can also be altered by adding, omitting, or changing notes to create unique sounds and textures.