1 Introduction to Music Theory: major and minor

We have seen that the above chords have two forms. Either the lower third consists of two tones and the upper third consists of one tone and a semitone. This is the case with the chords built on:

Or the lower third consists of one tone and a semitone and the upper third consists of two tones. This is the case with the chords built on:

We call the first form major chords and the chord built on the first note of a major scale is always a major triad. The second form is called a minor chord. The chord built on the first note of a minor scale is always a minor triad.

previous lesson next lesson exercise

(c) 1997 ArtSound Technology Ltd
These pages are property of ArtSound Technology Ltd and may not be copied or altered in any way and by any means without prior written permission of ArtSound Technology Ltd.