Learn Chord Theory & Ear Training
Guides on how each chord type sounds, how to tell them apart by ear, and the music theory behind them.
Chord types explained
Deep-dive guides on each of the six triad types — what they are, how they sound, where you hear them, and how to recognise them by ear.
Major Chords Explained The major chord is the foundation of Western harmony. Built from a root, major third, and perfect fifth, it is the most … Minor Chords Explained The minor chord is the major chord's darker sibling. By lowering the third by just one semitone, the entire emotional ch… Diminished Chords Explained The diminished chord is one of the most dramatic sounds in music. Built from two stacked minor thirds, it creates a comp… Augmented Chords Explained The augmented chord is the most dreamlike sound in the triad family. Built from two stacked major thirds, it creates a f… Sus2 Chords Explained The sus2 chord replaces the traditional third with a second, creating an open, modern sound that is neither major nor mi… Sus4 Chords Explained The sus4 chord replaces the third with a fourth, creating a tense, expectant sound that leans forward toward resolution.…
Chord comparison guides
Side-by-side comparisons showing the differences between chord types — intervals, sound, listening cues, and practice strategies.
Major vs Minor Chords Major vs minor is the most fundamental distinction in ear training. These two chords share a root and perfect fifth but … Sus2 vs Sus4 Chords Sus2 and sus4 are the two "suspended" chords — both lack a third, making them neither major nor minor. But their charact… Diminished vs Augmented Chords Diminished and augmented are the two "unusual" triads — both sound unfamiliar and unstable compared to major and minor. … Major vs Sus4 Chords Major and sus4 differ by just one semitone — the third drops to a fourth — but the character shift is unmistakable. Majo… Major vs Augmented Chords Major and augmented share a major third but differ in the fifth. Major has a perfect fifth that grounds the chord; augme… Minor vs Diminished Chords Minor and diminished share a minor third but differ in the fifth. Minor has a perfect fifth that provides stability; dim… Major vs Sus2 Chords Major and sus2 differ in the third: major has a definitive major third while sus2 replaces it with a neutral second. The… Minor vs Sus2 Chords Minor and sus2 are sometimes confused because both lack the bright major third. But they are structurally different: min…
Individual chord references
Looking for a specific chord? Browse all 72 chord pages with notes, intervals, and ear training tips.
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