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How to Find Harmony Chords

A chord comprises three or more notes played simultaneously, and make up the harmony of a song, while notes played consecutively make up the rhythm. To understand how to find the right note choices to make harmonically correct chords, you need an understanding of music theory, including major and minor scale construction, as well as chord construction. The study of music theory is a lifetime investment, but learning the basics isn't difficult and can help you recognize and find harmony chords in any piece of music.

Things You'll Need

  • Chord theory book
  • Music scale book
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a book that lists the major and minor scales and discusses their construction, and also keep a book handy that discusses chord construction.

    • 2

      Start by building triads—simple, three-note chords. To build a triad, use the appropriate song key to determine the notes you need. If you are in the key of C, for instance, the notes are C-D-E-F-G-A and B. A simple triad uses the first, third and fifth notes. To find the harmony chord for the note C, you need the notes C-E and G.

    • 3

      Build a major triad on the second note of the C major scale, which is D. To do this, use the D major key signature. D contains two sharps: F sharp and C sharp. This means the notes of D major are D-E-F#-G-A-B and C#. A D major triad (first, third and fifth notes of the D major scale) contains the notes D-F#-A. You can use this formula for any key signature with any note you choose to begin on.

    • 4

      Harmonize a minor chord in the same way. All minor chords are harmonized like major triads, with one simple alteration. Instead of a "natural" third, you "flat" the third of the scale. A C major, as stated earlier, contains the notes C-E- and G. If instead you use the notes C, E flat, and G, you have a C minor chord.

    • 5

      Practice building these major and minor triads in each of the 12 musical keys.

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