Part 1: The Triad
Every chord symbol starts with a triad. The triad is built from the root (1), third (3), and fifth (5).
Major
- Written with only the root name.
- C = C major = C E G
- Ab = Ab major = Ab C Eb
- NOTE: occasionally you’ll see maj, ∆, or M, but avoid this! These symbols are used to indicate major 7s and can confuse your musicians.
Minor
- Written as a root with min, mi, m, or my preferred –.
- C– = C minor = C Eb G
- Emi = E minor = E G B
Diminished
- Written as a root with o or dim.
- Co = C diminished = C Eb Gb
- D#dim = D diminished = D# F# A
Augmented
- Written as a root with + or aug.
- C+ = C augmented = C E G#
- Bbaug = Bb augmented = Bb D F#
Suspended
- Ok, so technically this isn’t a triad, but in chord symbols, it sits in the same place.
- Written as a root with sus.
- Csus = C suspended = C F G
- It’s common to write sus after the 7th, even though it affects the 3rd.