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Chord Spelling - Triads
This lesson presents the traditional approach for learning the chord tones of chords with a little twist to make it a bit easier.
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A Chord is three or more notes sounded simultaneously. The minimum number of notes required for a chord are three. These three note chords are called triads. Two notes are usually referred to as an interval or dyad. Each note of a chord is called a chord tone.
A chord is a chord, regardless of what instrument it is being played on or whether all the notes are played together, as single notes or even on the different instruments.
Chord Building and Spelling?
The best way to get the chord tones of any chord are to take the scale degrees of a major scale. For a major triad the scale degrees are the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees. For a minor triad flat the 3rd.
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Color Tones and Chords • Updated: Feb 17, 2020
The most important notes or chord tones in a chord are the notes that contribute most to the actual sound or color of the chord. For a major or minor triad the third of the chord performs this function. For other chords any note that makes it different from other chord types with the same root are the color tones.
This lesson is a more for less type of lesson exploring what notes are actually important in chords. The best place to start with this concept is 4-part chords and the Big Six Core Chords.

The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords - Volume I
Updated: Jun 23, 2006
Commonly referred to as jazz chords, this book provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords. Covers common string families. Beyond learning open and barre chords, most guitarists struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called "Jazz" chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords - Volume I
Updated: Feb 13, 2020
Beyond learning basic Ukulele chords most players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called 'jazz' chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music. A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele - presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords. Chord dictionaries are not the answer.
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