If there’s any chord that you should learn when getting started with learning an instrument or learning music theory it’s the major chord.
Major chords are ubiquitous in music—it’s hard to find a song that doesn’t use a major chord or some variation on one.
So in this article, we’ll explore what there’s to know about major chords, how they work within the major and minor keys and how you can apply them in your songwriting.
Plus we’ll open the lid on some more advanced topics like major chord extensions.
But first, let’s dive into the basics.
What is a major chord?
A major chord occurs when three notes are played together to form what’s known as a triad. The notes that form a major chord triad are the root, a major third and a perfect fifth.
For example, a C major chord will consist of C—the root note, E—which is a major third from C—and G—which is a perfect fifth from C.
The major triad is the most basic form of a major chord, but other major chords can be built with additional notes as long as they include the characteristic major third interval relationship with the root.
What is a major third interval?
A major third is exactly four semitones (or half steps) up from the root note.
If you look at our C major example, E is up four half steps up from C which is why it’s the major third in a C major Chord.
What is a perfect fifth interval?
A perfect fifth is exactly 7 semitones up from the root note.
In our C major example, G is 7 half steps up from C.
If you want to learn more about intervals we’ve covered every interval in music in previous posts—you’ll even find examples from popular music for each one!
Major chord inversions
Of course, there are different ways to play major chords—because the notes that comprise any major chord can be rearranged.
In music theory, there are three main inversions in which a major chord can be played so let’s look at those chord voicings.
Root position
When a major chord is not inverted it is played in what’s called root position.
The reason it gets that name is because the root note is played at the bottom of the triad with the major third and perfect fifth stacked on top.
So, in a C major triad you’ll find C at the bottom, E in the middle and G on top.
First inversion
In first inversion the root note is moved to the top of the chord, the lowest note in the triad instead the major third with the perfect fifth sitting in the middle of the triad.
Taking our C major example, a first inversion C major chord uses the notes E, G and C in that ascending order.
Second inversion
In second inversion the root note is found in the middle of the chord and the perfect fifth note is now the lowest in the chord with the third on tob.
Again, using our C major example, it’s second inversion form would use the notes G, C and E in that order.
Using major chords in chord progressions
It may be tempting to gravitate towards major chords in your songwriting because they are considered to be “happy”
The reality is that major chords, just like all other chords, major chords have their special place within a chord progression.
They won’t necessarily sound right if you don’t use them in the right way.
The best way to identify where a major chord belongs in a chord progression is by looking at the scale degrees of whatever key signature you’re working in.
In a major scale (or major key), major triads form when built on the first, fourth and fifth scale degrees.
For example, in the key of C major you can build a triad on each degree of the scale.
If you try it, you’ll see that the chords built on the fourth and fifth-degree are both major. While the chords on the second, third and sixth-degree are all minor chords. These are called diatonic chords because they’re built using only the notes available in the key of C major.
That’s why the 1-4-5 chords are used in many common chord progressions—they’re all built on the major scale degrees that comprise major chords.
You can build a major chord within the minor scale too—the major chord just exists on certain degrees of the minor scale.
Take a look at this example that uses natural minor scale the key of A minor.
Building a triad on each degree of A natural minor produces major chords on C, F and G, the third, fifth and sixth degree of that scale.
If you don’t understand why those major triads form there, it makes more sense when you think about the circle of fifths.
Take a moment to get familiar with the circle of fifths if you haven’t already—it’s probably the most important concept to understand when learning western music theory!
In the circle of fifths, A minor is the relative minor key to C major and F and G are the adjacent keys to C major—they’re also the major chords found in the example from C major above.
Major chord extensions
Major chords don’t stop at triads, in genres like Jazz you might hear about major chords like the Major seven or Major nine.
These chords essentially add a seventh or ninth interval on top of a major triad, it’s one-way jazz music adds an extra level of color and dissonance to the chords it uses.
But essentially the same principle applies—except you add the seventh or ninth to the inversion position of your chord.
Here’s how a Major seven chord in root position sounds for example.
There’s many more ways to think about chord extensions within music theory, fortunately, we’ve written about chord extensions in greater detail.
A major stepping stone
The major chord is usually the first place students start when learning music theory.
In many ways it makes sense, the major chord isn’t overly complicated to wrap your mind around and start using in music.
But, don’t get hung up on major chords for too long—you’ll probably get bored!
Trust me, there’s a lot out there in the world of music theory that’s much more interesting to get into if you really want to get deep into it.
For now, practice your major triads, scales, chord progressions and cadences and once you’ve mastered those you’ll be ready to get into the fun (slightly more advanced) stuff.