Simplifying the Subject of Chord Symbols

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There are literally hundreds of different chords, but a good place to start understanding chord theory is with triads (3 note chords) because:

a) There are only six of them to learn and

b) Almost every other chord you ever come across is an extension of one of these six triads.

Here they are together with their formulas (or spelling) which is simply a reference to steps on the Major scale:

Major Triad = 1 3 5 (example C major = C E G)
Minor Triad = 1 b3 5 (C minor = C Eb G)
Suspended 4th Triad = 1 4 5 (C sus4 = C F G)
Suspended 2nd Triad = 1 2 5 (C sus2 = C D G)
Augmented Triad = 1 3 #5 (C aug = C E G#)
Diminished Triad = 1 b3 b5 (C dim = C Eb Gb)

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