Chord Symbols – An Explanation

Chord symbols are used primarily utilized in many forms of modern music and even some jazz styles, and are frequently used as a form of notation. If you look at classical music, the Roman numerals can often be difficult to read, especially if the piece contains a lot of changes. The main difference between these types of notation is that the chord symbols do not display the function of the chord.

Root
At this point, it is also worth bearing in mind that chord symbols also take into account inverted chords. The root, as you might expect, points the musician in the direction of the root of the chord. You may also find that some of the chords will have a root that is not the base note. For example, in the E6 chord, the root will be E. However, if the chord symbol’s root differs from the base root, then this will be expressed by the bass note having a diagonal slash below the original symbol.

Quality
These abbreviations relate directly to the type of chord: maj, min, dim and aug. In the symbol Cmaj7 – the maj is telling us that the C chord is a major chord. This will tell you whether the chord you are looking at is major, minor, diminished or augmented.

The Extension
If you take the example above, Cmaj7, you will see that the chord is a seventh. When there is no number in this position, the player is to assume that the chord is indeed a triad (a third chord). The extension is what tells the player whether or not the chord differs from a triad.

Alteration
The alteration is always written in parenthesis after the extension. The following is a brief breakdown of some of the most common alterations:
(no fifth) – the chord must be played with the fifth tone removed.
(sus) – signifies that the musician is to play the fourth scale note over the third. Sus is simply an abbreviation for suspension.
(-) – usually followed by a number, the minus sign refers to the lowering of a chord tone.
(+) – the opposite of the minus sign, and therefore refers to the rise of a particular chord tone.

The alterations in chord symbols are a bit like the appendix in a book – and it serves much the same purpose. Alterations are there to give any specific (and often seemingly irregular) instructions to the musician as they play the chord.

When you look at a piece of sheet music, instead of seeing the music note for note, you will be able to understand more of the direction in which the music is going. Even better is the accompanying ability to improvise and make your own sounds – the beginning of a wonderful relationship between you and your music. Being able to read these chord tones will serve the musician in much the same way as a legends list on a map serves a lost navigator.

Copyright 2009 Lauren Paltrow (Stage Pianist)