Lesson 1 : Basic chords, Summary.

(a) Think of there being four basic chords.
(b) Each chord has three notes.
(c) Each chord takes its name from the root.
(d) We obtain the basic chords in all the different keys as follows:

(i) major chords : play the first, third and fifth notes of the major scale that runs from the roots; e.g. C major: C E G

(ii) minor chords : take the major chord then flatten the third; e.g. C minor: C Eb G

(iii) diminished chords : take the major chord then flatten the third and fifth; e.g. C diminished: C Eb Gb

(iv) augmented chords : take the major chord then sharpen the fifth; e.g. C augmented: C E G#