Major chords

What it is

A major chord brings together three notes: the root, the major third, 4 half steps (4 frets) above, and the fifth, 7 half steps above. Its formula is 1, 3, 5.

In C, that gives you C, E, G. In G: G, B, D. On a diagram, the same note can show up several times, in different octaves: a six-string chord doesn’t contain six different notes.

Major or minor?

Only one note changes between the two: the third. Lower it by a half step and the chord becomes minor. On the guitar, E major and E minor differ by just one finger: the index, on the G string.

The sound

Stable, bright, final: a song that ends on a major chord feels like it’s reached a full stop. It’s written with the letter alone: C for C major, G for G major.

Shapes to know

Five major chords can be played in open position, near the nut: C, D, E, G and A. All the others, like F or B, are played as barre chords:

• the E shape, with the root on the 6th string;
• the A shape, with the root on the 5th string.

Both shapes move all over the neck: learn them, and you can play all 12 major chords.