Major chord

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

Generally speaking, a major chord is any chord which has a major third above its root, as opposed to a minor chord which has a minor third. More specifically, it is the triad made up of a major third and perfect fifth above the root—if the root of the chord is C, the chord will consist of the notes C, E and G. This is also known as a major triad. In the simplest terms, it consists of the root note, a note 4 semitones higher than the root, and a note 7 semitones higher than the root.

Pictured here is a major chord in its root position, first inversion, and second inversion, respectively.

The minor chord resembles the major chord except that it has a minor third with a major third on top, while a major chord has a major third with a minor third on top.

A major chord in just intonation is tuned to the frequency ratio 6:5:4, while in equal temperament it has 3 semitones between the third and fifth, 4 between the root and third, 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 13.686 wider.

The major chord may be considered the building block of tonal music and the common practice period. It is considered consonant, or stable. The augmented chord is a major chord with a raised fifth.

[edit] Major Chord Table

[edit] See also

• Major and minor
• musical tuning

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