Click on the chord symbol for a diagram and explanation of each chord type:
E | Em | Esus2 | Esus4 | Emaj7 | Em7 | E7 | Edim7 | Em7♭5 |
Chord Symbol: E or Emaj
The E major triad consists of a root (E), third (G♯), and fifth (B). The distance between the root and the third is a major third interval (or four half-steps), and the distance between the third and fifth is a minor third interval (or three half-steps). Major triads have a “happy” sound.
Chord Symbol: Em
The E minor triad consists of a root (E), third (G), and fifth (B). 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.
Chord Symbol: Esus2
In the Esus2 chord, the third of the E major or minor chord (G♯ or G) is replaced (“suspended”) with the second note (F♯) of the E major scale.
Chord Symbol: Esus4
In the Esus4 chord, the third of the E major or minor chord (G♯ or G) is replaced (“suspended”) with the second note (A) of the E major scale.
E MAJOR 7
Chord Symbol: Emaj7 or EΔ7
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.
Chord Symbol: Em7
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.
Chord Symbol: E7
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, E7 is built on E, the fifth note of A major, and follows A major’s key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯).
E DIMINISHED 7TH
Chord Symbol: Edim7
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.”
Chord Symbol: Em7♭5
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.
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