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The problem it solves
To accompany a song you need to read the chords quickly. American chord symbols give you a short, universal name for each chord, faster than classical figured bass.
Detailed theory
Key idea
The letter is the root: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
The suffix gives the quality: nothing = major (C), m or - = minor (Cm), ° or dim = diminished, + or aug = augmented.
Understand it
American chord symbols write each chord with a letter and, if needed, a suffix. The letter gives the root following the English naming: C D E F G A B.
If the letter stands alone, the chord is a major triad: C means C major (C-E-G). To indicate other qualities a suffix is added after the letter.
The most basic suffixes are: m (or the dash -) for minor (Cm = C minor), ° or dim for diminished (C° = C diminished) and + or aug for augmented (C+ = C augmented). So with a letter and a short symbol both the root and the quality are defined.
Numbers add sevenths and extensions: C7 is C with a minor seventh (a dominant chord) and Cmaj7 is C with a major seventh. You do not need to master them now; it is enough to know that the number extends the basic chord.
Slash chords indicate inversions or a specific bass note: C/E means C major with E in the bass. American chord symbols are the standard of pop and jazz lead sheets because they are quick to read and to communicate.
Chord progression
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The suffix changes the quality over the same root: C (C major, no suffix) and Cm (C minor, with m). The only difference is the third.
How to recognise it
How it's written
Read the letter first (the root) and then the suffix (the quality): Cm = C minor, F = F major, G7 = G with a seventh. If there is a slash, the note behind it is the bass: C/E has E in the bass.
How it feels
The symbol has no sound of its own: it is a label. What sounds is the chord it names. When you read C you expect the stable, bright sound of C major; when you read Cm, its darker colour.
Common mistake
Confusing the English letter with the Romance name: B is Si (not C) and A is La.
Forgetting that a letter on its own is already the full major chord (C = C major, not just the note C).
Try it
Translate these symbols into note names: C (C major), Am (A minor), G (G major), F (F major).
Write C minor and C diminished in American chord symbols: Cm and C° (or Cdim).
On the instrument
Chord progression
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A progression written in American chord symbols: C, Am, F, G. The letter is the root and the suffix is the quality (m = minor).
Where it's used
- Reading lead sheets
- Interpreting at sight the chords of a pop or jazz song written with letters and symbols.
- Communicating chords quickly
- Sharing a progression with other musicians using a short, universal name for each chord.
- Accompanying on guitar or piano
- Turning the symbols (C, Am, F, G) into playable chords to accompany a melody.
Examples
Chord progression
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The four symbols sounding: C (C major), Am (A minor), F (F major) and G (G major). A very common pop progression.
Exercises
Read chord symbols — basic
Read the chord symbol (C, Am...) and play or identify the triad.
Complete 5 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Read chord symbols — intermediate
Add the dominant seventh chord (G7) to the symbols.
Complete 8 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Read chord symbols — advanced
Read symbols with sevenths: maj7, m7 and 7.
Complete 10 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Mini test
Check that you've got it.
0/10 answeredQuestion 1/10
In American chord symbols, what does the letter of a chord indicate?