In this case, the example is identified further as a "G Major Chord." That's because the root of the chord is "G." A chord is named after its root. As you can see, the chord in the example is spelled "G,B,D." The "G" is the root, or "1" note. We then spell the chord from the root, using a "3" and a "5." If the "1" is "G", the "3" is derived by counting and spelling from "G", so that "G" is "1" and "A" (the next note in the musical alphabet) is "2" and arriving at "B," which is "3."
We continue in this manner to derive the "5." After "B" comes "C," which is 4, and after "C" comes "D," which is "5." So, "1,2,3,4,5" = "G,A,B,C,D" and we find the notes of any chord once we know the root.
Let's spell a chord which has "E" as its root. "E" would be "1," "F"
would be "2," "G" would be "3," "A" would be "4," and "B" would be "5."
So the E chord would be "E-G-B."
Example 1: A Chord Which Has "E" As Its Root:
This is a minor chord. It is identified as minor, because the
relationship between the lowest note (its root) and the next highest note
(its third), have the interval of a minor third.
In this case, the example is identified further as an "E Minor Chord." That's because the root of the chord is "E." A chord is named after its root. As you can see, the chord in the example is spelled "E,G,B." The "E" is the root, or "1" note. We then spell the chord from the root, using a "3" and a "5." If the "1" is "E", the "3" is derived by counting and spelling from "E", so that "E" is "1" and "F" (the next note in the musical alphabet) is "2" and arriving at "G," which is "3."
We continue in this manner to derive the "5." After "G" comes "A," which is 4, and after "A" comes "B," which is "5." So, "1,2,3,4,5" = "E,F,G,A,B" and we can find the notes of any chord once we know the root.