Basic Chord Families

CHORD NAME

FORMULA

Major Chord Family - I , IV

Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

7
6
9
6/9
7+11
6+11
9+11
6/9+11
13+11

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Alterations (Tensions)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

7
6
7
6
7
6
7
6
7

9
9
9
9
9

+11
+11
+11
+11
+11 13

b2
b3
Sus4
#4 (+4)
b5 (-5)
#5 (+5)
b6
bb7 (6)
b9
#9
#11 (+11)
b13 (-13)

Minor Chord Family - II, III , VI

Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor

7
6
9
6/9
7(add 11)
6(add 11)
11
6/9(add 11)
13

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

b3
b3
b3
b3
b3
b3
b3
b3
b3
b3

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Common Altered Chords

b7
6
b7 9
6 9
b7 - 11
6 - 11
b7 9 11
6 9 11
b7 9 11 13

Majb5
Maj7b5
Mi7b5
Dim7
Aug
Aug7
7b9
7#9
Mi9b5
7b5
9+11

Dominant Chord Family - V7

Major
7
6
9
6/9
11
6(add 11)
6/9(add 11)
13

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

b7
6
b7 9
6 9
b7 9 11
6 - 11
6 9 11
b7 9 11 13

Copyright 2007 Pebber Brown (909) 399-3104 www.pbguitarstudio.com

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

3 b5
3 b5 7
b3 b5 b7
b3 b5 bb7
3 #5
3 #5 b7
3 5 b7 b9
3 5 b7 #9
b3 b5 b7 9
3 b5 b7
3 5 b7 9 +11