Basic Elements of Chord Symbols

A chord symbol, such as CMaj7, usually contains three parts:

• A pitch-letter (such as C) to indicate the key
• The chord type of a major (Ma) or minor (m) key
• The number that indicates the top note of the chord (6, 7, 9, 11, or 13)

Normally, a chord contains the 1, 3, and 5 notes of the key plus one or more extensions
(higher notes in the chord). For example, CMa7 contains the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of C Major (C, E,
G, and B), while a CMa9 chord contains the 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 of C Major (C, E, G, B, and D).
A chord symbol can indicate any of the 12 keys, such as C#, D, Eb, E, etc.
Building Major Chords
A major chord has the 1, 3, and 5 degrees of a major scale. A major 7 chord has the 1, 3, 5,
and 7; a major 9 chord has the 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9; and a major 6 chord has the 1, 3, 5, and 6.
1.5 Spelling the 12 Major Chords
The examples below show common major chord symbols you’ll see in chord progressions,
along with their chord tones, or arpeggios. C is the example key used here.

          CMaj          CMaj7         CMaj9         CMaj6