Root Note
Chord Quality
Octave
Playback
C - E - G
How chords are built
Every chord here is defined by intervals - distances in semitones from the root. A major triad is 0-4-7, a minor triad 0-3-7. Seventh chords add a fourth note. Change the root and the same interval pattern gives you the chord in a new key.
Train your ear
Play major and minor back to back on the same root until the difference is obvious, then add sevenths. Pair this with our pitch pipe for single reference notes or the instrument tuner to tune up before you play along.
Chord Player FAQ
What is a chord?
A chord is three or more notes sounding together. The most common chords are triads - a root note plus the notes a third and a fifth above it. The exact spacing (intervals) between the notes determines the chord quality: major, minor, diminished, augmented, and so on.
What is the difference between major and minor chords?
One semitone. A major chord stacks a major third (4 semitones) then a minor third (3 semitones) above the root; a minor chord reverses that order. The lowered middle note of a minor chord is what makes it sound darker or sadder than the bright, resolved sound of a major chord.
What are seventh chords?
Seventh chords add a fourth note - a seventh above the root - to a triad. A dominant 7th (C7) has a bluesy tension that pulls toward resolution, a major 7th (Cmaj7) sounds lush and jazzy, and a minor 7th (Cm7) sounds smooth and mellow. They are the backbone of jazz, soul, and R&B harmony.
How can I use this chord player for ear training?
Pick a root note, play different chord qualities back to back, and learn to name the quality by sound alone. Then have a friend (or random clicking) choose chords while you identify them without looking. Arpeggio mode helps you hear each note separately before blending them.
Why do the chords use piano-like tones?
The chord player synthesizes each note with layered oscillators and a soft attack-decay envelope, which keeps the individual notes clear without harsh beating between harmonics. For pure single-frequency tones, use our tone generator instead.