Guitar Lessons

Jamorama is a quick and easy way to learn to play guitar, step-by-step with play along tracks and videos.

SA Topsites ::

Chord Building

Notes and Numbers on the Piano

In the above picture, two consecutive scales of C Major is indicated by the numbers one 1-13.  These numbers form the basis of all C Chord Formula's.  The same principle is applied to other chord types, e.g. D Chords.  The Major Scale of that chord is always used as reference.  In D Major, D = 1, E = 2, F# = 3, G = 4, A = 5, B = 6, C#=7, etc.

 

 

 

Here are the formula's for all the chord types:

 

 

The 9th, 11th and 13th notes are the same as the 2nd, 4th and 6th notes respectively, but:
A 9th chord is distinguished from a 2nd chord, for it includes a 7th or a b7.
An 11th chord is distinguished from a 4th chord (suspended), for it includes a 7th or a b7, as well as a 9th.
A 13th chord is distinguished from a 6th chord, for it includes a 7th or a b7, a 9th and in some cases an 11th (but not necessarily).

 

 

Major formulas:

Major     1   3   5
7             1   3   5   b7
9             1   3   5   b7   9
11           1   3   5   b7   9   11
13           1   3   5   b7   9   (11)   13 (11th normally omitted)

maj7       1   3   5   7
maj9       1   3   5   7   9
maj11     1   3   5   7   9   11
maj13     1   3   5   7   9   (11)   13 (11th normally omitted)

 

 

Minor Formulas:

m            1   b3   5
m7          1   b3   5   b7
m9          1   b3   5   b7   9
m11        1   b3   5   b7   9   11
m13        1   b3   5   b7   9   (11)   13 (11th normally omitted)

min7       1   b3   5   7
min9       1   b3   5   7   9
min11     1   b3   5   7   9   11
min13     1   b3   5   7   9   (11)   13   (11th normally omitted)