Chord Construction

A chord is simply 3 notes played at the same time. It is important to understand the concept of whole steps and half steps as covered in the Scale Theory lesson. To explain it simply, each note on the guitar is separated by a whole step, except when we go from B to C, and E to F. These are separated by half steps. Like this: 

A (1) B (1/2) C (1) D (1) E (1/2) F (1) G (1) A

We will go over how to build  major, minor and diminished chords. The notes of these chords are either separated by 2 whole steps (aka a major 3rd), or 1 1/2 steps (aka a minor 3rd)

Major Chords

A major Chord follows this rule. The X's represent the 3 notes of the chord. 

 X  2 steps X  1 1/2 steps X (Major 3rd, Minor 3rd)

If we where to build a C major chord, we would start with C and go 2 steps to E. Then we would go 1 1/2 steps to G. We now know that the C major chord is made up of the following notes: C,E,G. Knowing this, lets look at where we can play a C major Chord.

With this graph, you can now play a C major chord anywhere on the guitar. 

Minor Chords

Minor chords (those dark, melancholy chords) as a rule follow this pattern. The X's represent the 3 notes of the chord. 

X 1 1/2 steps X  2 steps X (Minor 3rd, Major 3rd)  

If we where to build a D minor chord, we would start with D and go 1 1/2 steps to F. Then we would go 2 steps to A. We now know that the D minor chord is made up of the following notes: D,F,A. Knowing this, lets look at where we can play a D minor Chord

With this graph, you can now play a D minor chord anywhere on the guitar. 

Diminished Chords

Diminished chords as a rule follow this pattern. The X's represent the 3 notes of the chord. 

  X 1 1/2 steps X  1 1/2 steps X (Minor 3rd, Minor 3rd)

If we where to build an A dim chord, we would start with A and go 1 1/2 steps to C. Then we would go 1 1/2 steps to Eb (or Ds, depending on whether your a glass half empty or glass half full kind of  person). We now know that the A dim chord is made up of the following three notes: A,C,Eb/Ds. Knowing this, lets look at where we can play an Adim Chord

With this graph, you can now play an A diminished chord anywhere on the guitar.