Chords, Scales, and Modes

Chord Construction

Chords are composed of a series of tones. The tones are based on the
notes in the scale. Using the key of C as an example, the tones in the
scale would be C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
Each tone has a name:
  1. C is the 1st or TONIC
  2. D is the 2nd or SUPERTONIC
  3. E is the 3rd or MEDIANT
  4. F is the 4th or SUB-DOMINANT
  5. G is the 5th or DOMINANT
  6. A is the 6th or SUB-MEDIANT or RELATIVE MINOR
  7. B is the 7th or SEVENTH or LEADING NOTE
Chords are combinations of tones. For example, a C Major chord would
be C, E, and G or the 1st, 3rd, and 5th tones in the key of C.
The following table shows the tones for some common chord types.

Chord Type 1st  b2nd 2nd  b3rd 3rd  4th  b5th 5th  #5th  6th  b7th  7th 
Major X X X
Minor X X X
7th X X X X
Major 7th X X X X
Minor 7th X X X X
sus4 X X X
7sus4 X X X X
5 X X
6th X X X X
Minor 6th X X X X
add9 X X X X
Augmented X X X
Diminished X X X

Scales and Modes

Scales are a series of notes in a given key. Modes are scales defined
by a series of intervals. This is a very large topic that would require
extensive space to adequately explain, so I'll just give examples of
some common scales and modes.

Scale/Mode 1st  b2nd 2nd  b3rd 3rd  4th  b5th 5th  #5th  6th  b7th  7th 
Ionian X X X X X X X
Dorian X X X X X X X
Phrygian X X X X X X X
Lydian X X X X X X X
Mixolydian X X X X X X X
Aeolian X X X X X X X
Locrian X X X X X X X
Major X X X X X X X
Natural minor X X X X X X X
Harmonic Minor X X X X X X X
Melodic Minor X X X X X X X
Whole Tone X X X X X X
Diminished X X X X X X X X
Pentatonic X X X X X
Pentatonic Minor X X X X X
Blues X X X X X X