Chord Intervals Map

Chord Symbols and Interval Notation Explained

Jazz chord symbols banner

When approaching for the first time harmony and chords, often guitar players are overwhelmed by the strange symbols they found in chord charts .

Chord symbols, and especially those used in Jazz, at first are not easy to digest.

Chords are basically a set of intervals stacked one on the top of another .

And what's an interval? An interval is the distance between two notes.

Depending on the qualities of those intervals, we can have different kinds of chords, and then different chords formulas.

Showing the intervals composing a chord in table form is a great aid for understanding chord formulas and structure , and build the foundation for more advanced topics, such as chords substitution .

On this page, you find a useful chord intervals map that will help you understand what's behind chord notation.

To learn how chords are constructed on the fretboard, check also our chords building tutorial.

Another tool that might be helpful is my interactive chord analyzer.

Chord Symbols and Intervals

In the following charts, for each chord you find its symbol ( major, minor, 7, 9 etc ) and the intervals composing the chord ( 1,3,5,6, etc ).

The number between parenthesis are optional tones that you can use in the chord. Then you see a chart composed of colored boxes.

Each box corresponds to one of the semitones (half-steps) composing the octave, starting from the root. In case of extended chords (those with 9th, 11th or 13th) you'll find another box chart, that represents the upper octave.

Complete List of Chord Symbols and Structure


Major Chords

maj

How the Major chord is built:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals composing the Cmaj chord are Root, Major Third, and Perfect Fifth

The C Major chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Major
  • C Maj
  • C M
  • C Major Triad
  • Cmaj

The C Major chord is made up of the notes C, E, and G

Example: C maj

C maj position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

6

Intervals In the Major Sixth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The C6 sixth chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Sixth

Some books show this chord as:

  • C Major Sixth
  • C6

The notes of this chord are C, E, G, and A

add9

Chord Intervals:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

This chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Ninth

The Cadd9 chord is known as:

  • C Major Ninth Added
  • C Maj9
  • C Maj Add 9
  • Cadd9

The notes of the Cadd9 chord are C, E, G, and D

Example: C add9

C add9 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

maj7

Chord structure of the Major Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Seventh

The C Major Seventh chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Major Seventh
  • C Major 7
  • Cmaj7

The notes of the Cmaj7 chord are C, E, G, and B

Example: C maj7

C maj7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

6/9

Tones of the Major Sixth Nine Added chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

This chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Major Ninth

Name variations for this chord:

  • C Major Sixth Nine Added
  • C 6 Add 9
  • C6/9

The notes in this chord are C, E, G, A, and D

Example: C 6/9

C 6/9 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

6(#11)

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Sharp Eleventh

Name variations for the C6(#11) chord:

  • C Major Sixth Sharp Eleventh Added
  • C 6#11
  • C 6+11
  • C 6aug11
  • C6(#11)

The notes in this chord are C, E, G, A, and F#

maj9

Intervals in the Major Ninth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals that compose the C Major Ninth chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth

Some books show this chord as:

  • C Major Ninth
  • C Maj9
  • C Major 9
  • Cmaj9

This chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, B, and D

Example: C maj9

C maj9 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

maj13

Tones of the Major Thirteen chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals that compose the C Major Thirteen chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

The Cmaj13 chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Major Thirteen
  • C Maj13
  • C Major 13
  • Cmaj13

The notes in the Cmaj13 chord are C, E, G, B, D, F, and A

Example: C maj13

C maj13 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams


Minor Chords

m

How the Minor chord is built:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The Cm chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, and Perfect Fifth

The Cm chord is known as:

  • C Minor
  • C Min
  • C Minor Triad
  • Cm

The C Minor chord is made up of the notes C, Eb, and G

m(maj7)

Chord structure of the Minor Major Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals in the C Minor Major Seventh chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Seventh

The Cm(maj7) chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Minor Major Seventh
  • C Min Maj7
  • Cm(maj7)

This chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, and B

Example: C m(maj7)

C m(maj7) position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m6

Tones of the Minor Sixth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

This chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Sixth

This chord is also spelled in the following ways:

  • C Minor Sixth
  • C Minor 6
  • C Min 6
  • Cm6

The Cm6 chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, and A

Example: C m6

C m6 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m7

Intervals In the Minor Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals of this chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh

Name variations for the C Minor Seventh chord:

  • C Minor Seventh
  • Cm7

The notes in the C Minor Seventh chord are C, Eb, G, and Bb

Example: C m7

C m7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m(maj9)

Chord Intervals:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The Cm(maj9) chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth

Name variations for the C Minor Major Ninth chord:

  • C Minor Major Ninth
  • C Min Maj 9
  • Cm(maj9)

The notes of the C Minor Major Ninth chord are C, Eb, G, B, and D

m6/9

How to create the Minor Sixth Ninth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Sixth, and Major Ninth

The C Minor Sixth Ninth chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Minor Sixth Ninth
  • C Minor 6 Add 9
  • C Minor 6 Added Ninemin 6 Add 9
  • Cm6/9

This chord is made up of the notes C, Eb, G, A, and D

Example: C m6/9

C m6/9 position 15 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m9

Intervals in the Minor Ninth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The Cm9 chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth

Name variations for the Cm9 chord:

  • C Minor Ninth
  • C Min 9
  • C Minor 9
  • Cm9

The Cm9 chord is composed of the notes C, Eb, G, Bb, and D

Example: C m9

C m9 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m11

How the Minor Eleventh chord is built:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C Minor Eleventh chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Major Eleventh

This chord is also spelled in the following ways:

  • C Minor Eleventh
  • C Min 11
  • C Minor 11
  • Cm11

The notes in the Cm11 chord are C, Eb, G, Bb, D, and F

Example: C m11

C m11 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m13

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The Cm13 chord is composed of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

Different notations for the Cm13 chord:

  • C Minor Thirteen
  • C Min 13
  • C Minor 13
  • Cm13

The notes of the C Minor Thirteen chord are C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F, and A

Example: C m13

C m13 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams


Sixth Chords


Suspended/Power Chords

5

Intervals In the Powerchord chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The C5 chord is composed of the Root, and Perfect Fifth

The C Powerchord is known as:

  • C Powerchord
  • C5

The notes of the C Powerchord are C, and G

sus2

Tones of the Suspended Second chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The suspended 2 chord is made up of the Root, Major Second, and Perfect Fifth

The Csus2 chord is known as:

  • C Suspended Second
  • Csus2

This chord is composed of the notes C, D, and G

Example: C sus2

C sus2 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

sus4

Intervals in the Suspended Fourth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals composing the Csus4 chord are Root, Perfect Fourth, and Perfect Fifth

Different notations for the C Suspended Fourth chord:

  • C Suspended Fourth
  • Csus4

The notes of this chord are C, F, and G

Example: C sus4

C sus4 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

7sus4

Tones of the Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals of this chord are Root, Perfect Fourth, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh

Different notations for the C7sus4 chord:

  • C Dominant Seventh Suspended Fourth
  • C Dom7sus4
  • C 7 Suspended 5
  • C7sus4

The notes in the C7sus4 chord are C, F, G, and Bb

Example: C 7sus4

C 7sus4 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

Augmented Chords

aug

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

This chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, and Augmented Fifth

The C Augmented Fifth chord is known as:

  • C Augmented Fifth
  • C Augmented Triad
  • C +5
  • C #5
  • Caug

The notes in the C Augmented Fifth chord are C, E, and G#

Example: C aug

C aug position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

7(#5)

Intervals In the Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The C Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Minor Seventh

The C7(#5) chord is known as:

  • C Dominant Seventh Sharp Fifth
  • C Dom+5
  • C 7#5
  • C 7+5
  • C 7aug5
  • C7(#5)

The C7(#5) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G#, and Bb

Example: C 7(#5)

C 7(#5) position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

+(#11)

Intervals in the Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Sharp Eleventh

Different notations for the C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord:

  • C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh Added
  • C Aug#11
  • C #5#11
  • C+(#11)

The C Augmented Fifth Sharp Eleventh added chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, and F#

maj7(#5)

How to create the Major Seventh Sharp Fifth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals in the C Major Seventh Sharp Fifth chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, and Major Seventh

You may find this chord denoted as:

  • C Major Seventh Sharp Fifth
  • C Maj7+5
  • C Maj7#5
  • Cmaj7(#5)

The notes in this chord are C, E, G#, and B

9(#5)

How the Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord is built:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals composing the C9(#5) chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth

Different notations for the C9(#5) chord:

  • C Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth
  • C 9#5
  • C 9aug5
  • C 9+5
  • C Dom9#5
  • C9(#5)

This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, Bb, and D

Example: C 9(#5)

C 9(#5) position 14 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

13(#5)

Tones in the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Augmented Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

Name variations for the C13(#5) chord:

  • C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth
  • C 13+5
  • C 13aug5
  • C 13#5
  • C13(#5)

The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Fifth chord is composed of the notes C, E, G#, Bb, D, F, and A


Diminished Chords

dim

Intervals In the Diminished chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The Cdim chord is made up of the Root, Minor Third, and diminished Fifth

Name variations for this chord:

  • C Diminished
  • C Dim
  • C Diminished Triad
  • C Ƙ
  • Cdim

The notes of the C Diminished chord are C, Eb, and Gb

Example: C dim

C dim position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

dim7

Tones of the Diminished Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
bb7
b7
7

The intervals that compose the C Diminished Seventh chord are Root, Minor Third, diminished Fifth, and Diminished Seventh

The C Diminished Seventh chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Diminished Seventh
  • C Dim
  • C Diminished 7
  • C O7
  • Cdim7

The notes of the C Diminished Seventh chord are C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb

Example: C dim7

C dim7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

m7b5

Chord structure of the Minor Seventh Flat five chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals in the C Minor Seventh Flat five chord are Root, Minor Third, diminished Fifth, and Minor Seventh

Name variations for the C Minor Seventh Flat five chord:

  • C Minor Seventh Flat Five
  • C Half-diminished Seventh
  • C Half-diminished 7
  • C Ƙ7
  • C M7-5
  • C Min7-5
  • Cm7b5

The notes in this chord are C, Eb, Gb, and Bb

Example: C m7b5

C m7b5 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams


Dominant Chords

7

Intervals In the Dominant Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The intervals that compose the C Dominant Seventh chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh

The C Dominant Seventh chord is known as:

  • C Dominant Seventh
  • C Dom
  • C7

This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, and Bb

7b5

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

The C7b5 chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, diminished Fifth, and Minor Seventh

Name variations for this chord:

  • C Dominant Seventh Flat Five
  • C 7-5
  • C 7(b5)
  • C Dom7b5
  • C7b5

The notes in this chord are C, E, Gb, and Bb

Example: C 7b5

C 7b5 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

7(b13)

Chord structure of the Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

This chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Flat Thirteen

Different notations for the C Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added chord:

  • C Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added
  • C Dom7b13
  • C 7b13
  • C 7-13
  • C7(b13)

The notes of the C7(b13) chord are C, E, G, Bb, and Ab

7(b9)

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Minor Ninth

The C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord is known as:

  • C Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added
  • C 7b9
  • C 7-9
  • C Dom7b9
  • C7(b9)

The C7(b9) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and Db

Example: C 7(b9)

C 7(b9) position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

7(#11)

How to create the Dominant Seventh Sharp Eleventh Added chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Sharp Eleventh

The C7(#11) chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Dominant Seventh Sharp Eleventh Added
  • C Dom+11
  • C 7#11
  • C 7+11
  • C 7aug11
  • C7(#11)

The notes of the C7(#11) chord are C, E, G, Bb, and F#

Example: C 7(#11)

C 7(#11) position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

7(#9)

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals composing the C7(#9) chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Sharp Ninth

This chord is also spelled in the following ways:

  • C Dominant Seventh Sharp Ninth Added
  • C Dom7#9
  • C 7#9
  • C 7+9
  • C 7aug9
  • C7(#9)

The C7(#9) chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D#

Example: C 7(#9)

C 7(#9) position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

9

Tones in the Dominant Ninth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C Dominant Ninth chord is made up of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth

Some chord charts name this chord as:

  • C Dominant Ninth
  • C Dom9
  • C9

The C9 chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D

9b5

Tones in the Dominant Ninth Flat five chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals in this chord are Root, Major Third, diminished Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth

The C Dominant Ninth Flat five chord is known as:

  • C Dominant Ninth Flat Five
  • C 9-5
  • C 9(b5)
  • C Dom9b5
  • C9b5

The C9b5 chord is made up of the notes C, E, Gb, Bb, and D

Example: C 9b5

C 9b5 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

11

Chord Intervals:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Major Eleventh

You may find this chord denoted as:

  • C Dominant Eleventh
  • C Dom 11
  • C Dominant 11
  • C11

The C11 chord is made up of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, and F

Example: C 11

C 11 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

9(#11)

Intervals in the Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C9(#11) chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Sharp Eleventh

Some chord charts name this chord as:

  • C Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added
  • C 9#11
  • C 9+11
  • C Dom9aug11
  • C Dom9+11
  • C9(#11)

The C Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, and F#

13

Intervals in the Dominant Thirteen chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C Dominant Thirteen chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

Name variations for the C Dominant Thirteen chord:

  • C Dominant Thirteen
  • C13

The notes in the C Dominant Thirteen chord are C, E, G, Bb, D, F, and A

Example: C 13

C 13 position 1 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

13(b9)

How the Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine chord is built:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals in this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Minor Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

The C Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine chord is spelled in the following ways:

  • C Dominant Thirteen Flat Nine
  • C 13-9
  • C 13b9
  • C13(b9)

The notes in this chord are C, E, G, Bb, Db, F, and A

Example: C 13(b9)

C 13(b9) position 3 guitar chord diagram

More chord diagrams

13(#11)

Intervals In the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord is composed of the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, Sharp Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

The C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh chord is known as:

  • C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Eleventh
  • C 13#11
  • C 13+11
  • C 13aug11
  • C13(#11)

The notes in the C13(#11) chord are C, E, G, Bb, D, F#, and A

13(#9)

Tones of the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7
8
b9
9
#9
11
#11
13

The intervals of this chord are Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Sharp Ninth, Major Eleventh, and Major Thirteen

Some chord charts name this chord as:

  • C Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth
  • C 13+9
  • C 13aug9
  • C 13#9
  • C13(#9)

This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D#, F, and A

Guitar Formula Chart - Conclusions

This ends our big list of chord symbols and interval structures.

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Happy chords creation!