Major chord

Main article: Chord (music)
major triad
Component intervals from root
perfect fifth
minor third
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

The major chord timbre is sometimes described as brighter than its minor counterpart.[4] 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.[5] When the root of the chord is not in the bass, the chord is considered inverted.[6]

In harmonic analysis and on lead sheets, a major chord is often indicated by the letter of its root.[7] In integer notation, a major triad is {0,4,7}.[8]

Just intonation

In just intonation, a major chord is tuned to the frequency ratio 4:5:6. The scale allows major triads at I, ♭III, IV, V, ♭VI, and VI.[10] In equal temperament, the fifth is two cents narrower than the just perfect fifth. The major third is 14 cents flat of the just value.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c 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.
  2. ^ Suits, Bryan H. Physics Behind Music: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2023. 41.
  3. ^ Terefenko, Dariusz. Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study. Taylor & Francis, 2017. 340.
  4. ^ Kamien, Roger (2008). Music: An Appreciation (6th brief ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-07-340134-8.
  5. ^ Helmholtz, Hermann von. On the Sensations of Tone as a Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music. London: Longmans Green, 1912. 458.
  6. ^ "Inversion", Edited by Don Randel. Belknap Press of The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, 1986. 403f.
  7. ^ Benward, Bruce, and Saker, Marilyn. Music in Theory and Practice, Volume 1. McGraw-Hill Education, 2008. 85.
  8. ^ Gualdo, Fernando. "Tonal, Atonal and Microtonal Pitch-Class Categories". In Mathematics and Computation in Music. Germany, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010. 432.
  9. ^ The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. Princeton University Press, 2008. 937.
  10. ^ Wright, David (2009). Mathematics and Music. American Mathematical Society. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-0-8218-4873-9.
  11. ^ Sethares, William A. Tuning, Timbre, Spectrum, Scale. Springer London, 2005. 60.
  • Media related to Major chords at Wikimedia Commons
  • Major triads explained on a virtual piano
  • Major chords explained on a virtual piano
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