Chapter 9:Chords
The Complete Idiot’s Chord Reference
If you flip back to Appendix B of this book, you’ll find “The Complete Idiot’s
Chord Reference.” This is a comprehensive reference to just about every kind of
chord you can think of—major chords, minor chords, extensions, you name it.
You’ll find out how to construct each chord, learn the guitar tablature, and dis-
cover alternate ways to describe the chord. Keep this appendix bookmarked—
you’ll get a lot of use out of it!The Least You Need to Know
◆A chord consists of three or more notes (called a triad) played simultaneously—
with each note typically a third above the previous note.
◆A major chord includes the root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth.
◆A minor chord includes the root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth.
◆Extensions above the basic triad are typically added in thirds, and can be
either major or minor.
◆A minor seventh chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh; a major sev-
enth chord is a major triad with a major seventh; a dominant seventh chord
is a major triad with a minor seventh.
◆When you play a chord with a note other than the root in the bass, you’re
playing a chord inversion.
◆When you write for guitar, piano, or bass, you don’t have to write out all the
notes; all you have to do is specify the chord, along with rhythmic slashes on
the staff.Exercises
Exercise 9-1
Name the following major chords.125
Exercise 9-2
Name the following minor chords.