LyMaker

Version 0.3

There are different kind of basic chords:

• Tertian triads. These are chords based on thirds. These are the standard major or minor chords. If 0 is the chord root, major is 0- 4-7 and minor is 0-3-7. For instance, the c major chord consists of c, e and g and c minor of c, dis,g.

• Tertian sevenths. Same as above but they include a fourth note (another third), e.g. c, e, g, and b. These kinds of chords are often used in tonal jazz since the fourth note is a dissonance to the root and thus adds some tension to the harmony. Depending on the scale, the most used chord variations are 7,m7 or maj7. 7 is 0-4-7-10, m7 is 0-3-7-10 and maj7 is 0-4-7-11.

• Quartal chords. These are chords based on fourths. These chords are often used in modal jazz. They always carry the tension note with them: e.g. c, f, bes. They should only be used in connection with modes (Dorian, Phyrgian etc.). Often they are extended with a fourth note which is another fourth. 7sus4 is 0-5-7-10 ( e.g. c-f-g-bes), which is in a different voicing 0-5-10-15 (e.g. g-c'-f'-bes'). This variant is known as "so what" chords, named after the famous Miles Davis composition.

• (Quintal) Power chords e.g. c,g,c. These chords are base on fifths. Power chords are often used in Heavy Metal.

0 is the root of the chord in the following:

Triads

Sevenths

major 0-4

minor/dim 0-3

sus4 0-5

sus2 0-2