Chords in the Key of C

Click on the chord symbol for diagrams and explanations of each chord type:

C | Cm | Csus2 | Csus4 | Cmaj7 | Cm7 | C7 | Cdim7 | Cm7♭5

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C MAJOR TRIAD

Chord Symbol: C or Cmaj

The C major triad consists of a root (C), third (E), and fifth (G). The distance between the root and the third is a major third interval (or four half-steps), and the distance between the third and the fifth is a minor third interval (or three half-steps). Major triads have a “happy” sound.

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

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C MINOR TRIAD

Chord Symbol: Cm

The Cm minor triad consists of a root (C), third (E♭), and fifth (G). The distance between the root and the third is a minor third interval (or three half-steps), and the distance between the third and the fifth is a major third interval (or four half-steps). Minor triads have a “sad” sound.

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

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C SUSPENDED 2

Chord Symbol: Csus2

In the Csus2 chord, the third of the C major or minor chord (E or E♭) is replaced (“suspended”) with a major 2nd (D).

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C SUSPENDED 4

Chord Symbol: Csus4

In the Csus4 chord, the third of the C major or minor chord (E or E♭) is replaced (“suspended”) with a perfect 4th (F).

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C MAJOR 7

Chord Symbol: Cmaj7 or CΔ7

A major 7 chord is a major triad with an added seventh. The distance between the root and the seventh is a major 7th interval.

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

3rd Inversion

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C MINOR 7

Chord Symbol: Cm7

A minor 7 chord is a minor triad with an added seventh. The distance between the root and the seventh is a minor 7th interval.

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

3rd Inversion

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C DOMINANT 7

Chord Symbol: C7

A dominant 7th chord is a major triad with an added seventh, where the distance between the root and the seventh is a minor 7th interval.

You can also think of dominant 7th chords as being built on the fifth note of a major scale and following that scale’s key signature. For example, C7 is built on C, the fifth note of F major, and follows F major’s key signature (B♭).

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

3rd Inversion

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C DIMINISHED 7TH

Chord Symbol: Cdim7 or C^o7

A diminished 7th chord is a four-note-chord where each note is a minor third apart. You can think of diminished 7th chords as a “stack of minor thirds.”

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

3rd Inversion

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C HALF DIMINISHED 7TH

Chord symbol: Cm7♭5 or C^ø7

The half-diminished chord is also called the “minor seven flat five” chord. It is a minor 7th chord where the fifth is lowered by a half-step.

Root Position

1st Inversion

2nd Inversion

3rd Inversion

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