A chord is comprised of 3 notes: a root, a third, and a fifth.
The two types of chords we will learn about are major and minor chords.
Each student will be tested on their ability to spell them and identify them.
Be able to spell the following major or minor chords: C Major, C Minor, D Major, D Minor, E Major, E Minor, F Major, F Minor, G Major, G Minor, A Major, A minor.
For example, a C Major chord is spelled "C,E,G."
Be able to identify a major or minor chord and identify which is the root, the third, and the fifth of the chord. For example, if a chord is spelled "F,A,C," you should know that the chord is an F Major chord, and that the root is F, the third is A, and the fifth is C.
If the minor chord is E minor, it would be spelled E,G,B. There is now a minor third between the E and the G (the root and the third). There is also a major third between the G and the B (the third and the fifth). This is therefore a minor triad. If you add a sharp in front of the G, you now have a chord spelled E,G#,B. This changes the root and the third relationship to a major third, and the third and the fifth relationship to a minor third. This is now therefore a major triad. Therefore, we have changed the chord from a minor to a major by adding an accidental.