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Summary: Bite-sized articles cover a number of points about music theory.

Major Chord Types

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Many and complex are the rules governing chord substitution.

The subject can be greatly simplified however if you take the view that most chords fit into one of three families.

The first of these types is the MAJOR chord type. Major chords are built on the basic major triad (1 3 5) to which may be added the Major 6th or Major 7th notes. These remain unaltered. Further notes may then be added such as the 9th, 11th and 13th, any of which may be altered by sharping (#) or flatting (b) them.

Some examples of Major chords are:

C Maj 7 (1 3 5 7)
C Maj 6 ( 1 3 5 6)
C Maj 9 ( 1 3 5 7 9)
C Maj 7b9 ( 1 3 5 7 b9)
C Maj 9 b13 ( 1 3 5 7 9 b13)

Major chords do not have b3rds nor do they have b7ths

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