major chords
Happy-sounding note stacks
A major chord is a three-note combination in music built on a root, major third, and perfect fifth—producing a sound typically described as bright, stable, or happy.
Major chords form the harmonic backbone of most Western popular music: The song uses just three major chords.
Compare with minor chords, which sound darker or sadder.
Group of three
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
- thirdPosition number three
- fifthFive's place in sequence
- tonicInvigorating medicinal drink
interval · arpeggio · voicing · inversion · diatonic · scale · octave · semitone
Emitting or reflecting light
- upliftingEmotionally encouraging
- happyFeeling pleasure or contentment
- triumphantJoyfully victorious
- joyfulFeeling great happiness
optimistic · hopeful · cheerful · celebratory · radiant · buoyant · resolved · stable
Sequential forward movement
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dominantHaving superior influence
- subdominantFourth scale degree
tonality · modulation · counterpoint · polyphony · homophony · consonance · Roman numeral · turnaround
triad
Group of three
tonic · interval · arpeggio · voicing · inversion · diatonic · scale · octave · semitone · perfect
bright
Emitting or reflecting light
- upliftingEmotionally encouraging
- happyFeeling pleasure or contentment
- triumphantJoyfully victorious
joyful · optimistic · hopeful · cheerful · celebratory · radiant · buoyant · resolved · stable · confident
progression
Sequential forward movement
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- dominantHaving superior influence
subdominant · tonality · modulation · counterpoint · polyphony · homophony · consonance · Roman numeral · turnaround · vamp
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
voicing · fullness · richness · clarity · brightness · strum · pluck · ring · acoustic · electric
- harmonyharmony, triad, triads, consonance, tonality
- chordsA minor, B minor, C minor, D minor, E minor
- Choral Singinga cappella, voice parts, vocal parts, harmony, homophony