| Component intervals from root | ||
| perfect fifth | ||
| major third | ||
| root | ||
| Tuning | ||
| 4:5:6 | ||
In music theory, a major chord () is a chord having a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth.[1] When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a major triad. Some major triads with additional notes, such as the major seventh chord, may also be called major chords.
A major triad can also be described as a major third interval with a minor third interval on top or as a root note, a note 4 semitones higher than the root, and a note 7 semitones higher than the root.
A minor chord () differs from a major chord in having a minor third above the root instead of a major third. It can also be described as a minor third with a major third on top, in contrast to a major chord, which has a major third with a minor third on top. They both contain fifths, because a major third (4 semitones) plus a minor third (3 semitones) equals a fifth (7 semitones).
An augmented chord is like a major chord, but with a raised fifth.
An example of a major chord is the C major chord, which consists of the notes C, E and G.
In just intonation a major chord is tuned to the frequency ratio 4:5:6 (). This may be found on I, IV, V, ♭VI, ♭III, and VI.[2] In equal temperament it has 4 semitones between the root and third, 3 between the third and fifth, and 7 between the root and fifth. It is represented by the integer notation (0, 4, 7}. In equal temperament, the fifth is only two cents narrower than the just perfect fifth, but the major third is noticeably different at about 14 cents wider.
The major chord, along with the minor chord, is one of the basic building blocks of tonal music and the common practice period. It is considered consonant, stable, or not requiring resolution. In Western music, a minor chord, in comparison, "sounds darker than a major chord."[3]
| Chord | Root | Major Third | Perfect Fifth |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | E | G |
| C♯ | C♯ | E♯ (F) | G♯ |
| D♭ | D♭ | F | A♭ |
| D | D | F♯ | A |
| D♯ | D♯ | F (G) | A♯ |
| E♭ | E♭ | G | B♭ |
| E | E | G♯ | B |
| F | F | A | C |
| F♯ | F♯ | A♯ | C♯ |
| G♭ | G♭ | B♭ | D♭ |
| G | G | B | D |
| G♯ | G♯ | B♯ (C) | D♯ |
| A♭ | A♭ | C | E♭ |
| A | A | C♯ | E |
| A♯ | A♯ | C (D) | E♯ (F) |
| B♭ | B♭ | D | F |
| B | B | D♯ | F♯ |
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