What is the code? Basics of major and minor chords made with three notes

A chord is a sound made by playing multiple notes at the same time. Once you first understand triads, which are made up of three notes, you will be able to read many of the chords used in pop music.

Root

This is the reference note for the chord. For a C chord, C is the root, and for A minor, A is the root. The first letter of the chord name indicates the reference note.

Adding 3rd and 5th degrees

If you stack notes one after the other on a scale, you get three notes: the root, third, and fifth. C major is C, E, and G.

Major chord

From the root to the 3rd is 4 semitones, and from the 3rd to the 5th is 3 semitones. In C major, C, E, and G are used as stable and bright sounds.

Minor chord

From the root to the 3rd is 3 semitones, and from the 3rd to the 5th is 4 semitones. For C minor, it's C, E flat, and G. If you lower the middle note of a major chord by a semitone, it becomes a minor chord.

Inversion

Even with the same three notes, changing the lowest note will change the resonance and connection. Even if you arrange C, E, G in the order of E, G, C or G, C, E, it is still C major.

Check with DAW

Enter C, E, and G in the same position in the piano roll, then lower E by a semitone. Listen and compare the sound that changes from major to minor.

You can create chords in different keys by understanding the distance between the root and the middle note, rather than just memorizing the shape. Once you get used to the four majors, C, F, G, and A minor, it will be easier to use them in actual songs.