Take a 3 note chord, and add the flattened 7th note on top.

You flatten the note by taking it down one semitone. 

Example: C major

C D E F G A B 

C E G  B become Bb

Watch this video to learn about the different types of chords.

This demonstrates the basic three note chord (triad) and various 7th chords.

Taking the notes of a chord, and changing the order so the bottom note (called the root note) is not at the bottom.

Example: C major chord

C E G = C is the root note

G E C = now C is on the top of the chord, so this chord has been inverted.

The degree of scale and the chord that is built on this.

Cadences that sound finished/ resolved:

Perfect cadence: Chord V followed by chord I at the end of a phrase.

Plagal cadence: Chord IV followed by chord I at the end of a phrase.

Cadences that sound unfinished/ unresolved:

Imperfect cadence: Chord I, ii, or IV followed by chord V at the end of a phrase.

Interrupted cadence: Chord V followed by chord vi at the end of a phrase. 

The rate at which chords change in a chord progression e.g. 1 chord per bar or 2 chords per bar.

When one or more notes are held or repeated throughout a piece of music.

A harmonic device where the same note is sustained or repeated, above (or below) which the chords change.

When two or more notes sound together to create an unstable effect in terms of the harmony. i.e. a clashing sound.

The name given to a chord that uses the root and the 5th(i.e. no 3rd) – used by rock guitarists.

A scale based on 5 notes – can be major or minor. 

Commonly used in folk music and found in music all around the world.

A key (and scale) with a happy or bright sound.

It is constructed using this tone/semitone pattern:

T - T - S - T - T - T - S 

A key (and scale) with a sad or mournful sound.

It is constructed using this tone/semitone pattern:

T - S - T - T - S - T - T 

The process of changing key in a piece of music.