Major chord

major triad

Component intervals from root

perfect fifth

major third

root

The just major triad is composed of three tones in simple, whole number ratios.

In music theory, a major chord ( Play (help·info)) 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.

Major and minor third in a major chord: major third on bottom, minor third on top  Play (help·info).

A minor chord ( play (help·info)) 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.  play (help·info)

An example of a major chord is the C major chord, which consists of the notes C, E and G.

A C major chord in its root position, first inversion, and second inversion, respectively  Play in root position (help·info)

In just intonation a major chord is tuned to the frequency ratio 4:5:6 ( play (help·info)). 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]

Major chord table

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♯

See also

• Major and minor
• Musical tuning
• Minor chord
• Otonality and Utonality

Sources

1. ^ Miller, Michael. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd ed, p.113. [Indianapolis, IN]: Alpha, 2005. ISBN 1592574378.
2. ^ Wright, David (2009). Mathematics and Music, p.140-41. ISBN 9780821848739.
3. ^ Kamien, Roger (2008). Music: An Appreciation, 6th Brief Edition, p.46. ISBN 978-0-07-340134-8.