Major chord
| Component intervals from root | |
|---|---|
| perfect fifth | |
| major third[1] | |
| Tuning | |
| just - 4:5:6[2] | |
| Forte no. | |
| 3-11[3] |
A major chord is a triad with a major third and a perfect fifth above the root. The major chord above C is spelled C–E–G.
Structure
[edit]The primary intervals in a major chord are the major third between the first and second notes, the perfect fifth between the first and third notes, and the minor third between the second and third notes.[1] It is a tertian chord, because it is built in thirds.[4] When the root of the chord is not in the bass, the chord is considered inverted.[5] In integer notation, a major triad is {0,4,7}.[6]
On lead sheets, a major chord is indicated by the letter of its root (and any relevant accidental).[7]
The major chord timbre is sometimes described as brighter than its minor counterpart.[8]
Just intonation
[edit]
In just intonation, a major chord is tuned to the frequency ratio 4:5:6. The just major scale contains major triads at I, IV, and V.[10] In equal temperament, the fifth is two cents narrower than the just perfect fifth, and the major third is 14 cents narrower than the just major third.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Wedge, George Anson. Advanced Ear-training and Sight-singing as Applied to the Study of Harmony: A Continuation of the Practical and Coördinated Course for Schools and Private Study. G. Schirmer, Inc., 1922. 5.
- ↑ Suits, Bryan H. Physics Behind Music: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2023. 41.
- ↑ Terefenko, Dariusz. Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study. Taylor & Francis, 2017. 340.
- ↑ Helmholtz, Hermann von. On the Sensations of Tone as a Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music. London: Longmans Green, 1912. 458.
- ↑ "Inversion", Edited by Don Randel. Belknap Press of The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, 1986. 403f.
- ↑ Gualdo, Fernando. "Tonal, Atonal and Microtonal Pitch-Class Categories". In Mathematics and Computation in Music. Germany, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010. 432.
- ↑ Benward, Bruce, and Saker, Marilyn. Music in Theory and Practice, Volume 1. McGraw-Hill Education, 2008. 85.
- ↑ Kamien, Roger (2008). Music: An Appreciation (6th brief ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-07-340134-8.
- ↑ The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. Princeton University Press, 2008. 937.
- ↑ Wright, David (2009). Mathematics and Music. American Mathematical Society. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-0-8218-4873-9.
- ↑ Sethares, William A. Tuning, Timbre, Spectrum, Scale. Springer London, 2005. 60.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Major chords at Wikimedia Commons- Major triads explained on a virtual piano
- Major chords explained on a virtual piano
