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There is less than universal consensus about chord names and
symbols and this has given rise to a number of possible ways
of writing the same chord. Here is a list of the most commonly
found chords that includes commonly used alternative names and
symbols.
If you come across an incomprehensible chord name or symbol
not listed below don’t hesitate to email us!
CHORD FORMULA LIST
Click here for printable version (pdf file)
C chords are used as examples throughout. Symbols are given
in approximate order of popularity of usage. Commonly used
alternative names are given in brackets. Numbers in brackets
are optional notes.
Major C
1 3 5
Minor Cm Cmin
C-
1 b3 5
Augmented C+ Caug
C#5
(Sharp five)
1 3 #5
Diminished Co Cdim
Cmb5
(Minor flat five)
1 b3 b5
Suspended fourth Csus4 Csus
C4
(Sus or sus four)
1 4 5
Suspended second Csus2 C2
(Sus 2)
1 2 5
Major Seventh C7 CMaj7
CM7
C
(Seventh)
1 3 5 7
Dominant Seventh C7 Cdom
(Seventh)
1 3 5 b7
Major Sixth C6 CMaj6
(Sixth)
1 3 5 6
Minor Major Seventh CmMaj7
CmM7 Cm7
Cm§7
(Minor Natural Seventh)
1 b3 5 7
Minor Seventh Cm7 Cmin7
C-7
1 b3 5 b7
Minor Sixth Cm6 Cmin6
C-6
1 b3 5 6
Dominant Ninth C9
(Ninth)
1 3 5 b7 9
Dominant Eleventh C11
(Eleventh)
1 3 5 b7 (9) 11
Dominant Thirteenth C13
1 3 5 b7 (9) (11) 13
Seventh Sharp Nine C7#9 C7+9
C7aug9
(Augmented ninth)
1 3 5 b7 #9
Seventh Flat Nine C7b9 C7-9
1 3 5 b7 b9
Seventh Suspended C7sus4 C7sus
1 4 5 b7
Suspended Ninth Csus9 C9sus4
(Ninth sus four)
1 4 5 b7 9
Major Ninth CMaj9 CM9
C?9
1 3 5 7 9
Augmented Seventh C7+
C7#5 C7aug C7+5
1 3 #5 b7
Half-Diminished Seventh Cm7b5
C C½dim
(Minor Seven flat Five)
1 b3 b5 b7
Diminished Seventh chord Co
Co7
Cdim
(Diminished or dim.)
1 b3 b5 bb7
Added ninth Cadd9
1 3 5 9
Added eleventh Cadd11 Cadd4
(added fourth)
1 3 5 11
Six Nine C6/9
(Sixth add nine)
1 3 5 6 9
Click here for printable version (pdf file)
This is not a complete list but I believe it covers all chords
whose names or symbols might potentially confuse people!
Other chords are usually easy enough to work out from their
name or symbol:
For example: C Seventh sharp five flat nine = C7#5b9
For further explanations about how chords are formed click
on a link below:
Basic Triads
Extended Triads
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Chord
Formulas - Basic Triads
