C

20 chord types · 20 scale types

CMajor

Happy, bright sound. The most common chord type.

CEG
CEG
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 semitones

CmMinor

Sad, darker sound. Second most common chord type.

CD#G
CGD#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 7 semitones

CdimDiminished

Tense, unstable sound. Often used as passing chord.

CD#F#
CD#F#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 6 semitones

CaugAugmented

Mysterious, floating sound. Symmetrical structure.

CEG#
CEG#
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 8 semitones

Csus2Suspended 2nd

Open, ambiguous sound. Neither major nor minor.

CDG
CDG
Intervals: 0 - 2 - 7 semitones

Csus4Suspended 4th

Tension wanting to resolve. Common in rock/pop.

CFG
CFG
Intervals: 0 - 5 - 7 semitones

Cmaj7Major 7th

Smooth, jazzy sound. Very common in jazz and R&B.

CEGB
CEGB
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 11 semitones

Cm7Minor 7th

Mellow, jazzy minor. Staple of jazz and soul music.

CD#GA#
CGD#A#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 7 - 10 semitones

C7Dominant 7th

Bluesy tension. Wants to resolve to the tonic.

CEGA#
CEGA#
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 10 semitones

Cdim7Diminished 7th

Extremely tense. Symmetrical — repeats every 3 semitones.

CD#F#A
CAD#F#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 6 - 9 semitones

Cm7♭5Half-Diminished 7th

Minor 7th with a flat 5. Used in jazz ii-V-I in minor keys.

CD#F#A#
CD#F#A#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 6 - 10 semitones

CmMaj7Minor Major 7th

Dark yet sophisticated. Common in film scores.

CD#GB
CGBD#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 7 - 11 semitones

Caug7Augmented 7th

Dominant with raised 5th. Adds extra tension.

CEG#A#
CEG#A#
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 8 - 10 semitones

Cadd9Add 9

Major triad with added 9th. Bright, open sound.

CEGD
CDEG
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 14 semitones

Cmaj9Major 9th

Lush, sophisticated. Popular in jazz and neo-soul.

CEGBD
CDEGB
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 11 - 14 semitones

Cm9Minor 9th

Rich minor color. Smooth jazz staple.

CD#GA#D
CDGD#A#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 7 - 10 - 14 semitones

C9Dominant 9th

Funky, bluesy. Common in funk and R&B.

CEGA#D
CDEGA#
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 10 - 14 semitones

C66th

Sweet, nostalgic sound. Classic jazz voicing.

CEGA
CEGA
Intervals: 0 - 4 - 7 - 9 semitones

Cm6Minor 6th

Bittersweet quality. Used in jazz and bossa nova.

CD#GA
CGAD#
Intervals: 0 - 3 - 7 - 9 semitones

C5Power Chord

Root and fifth only. The backbone of rock and metal.

CG
CG
Intervals: 0 - 7 semitones