Chord Symbols

There are various Chord Symbols that can be combined to indicate many different types of chords.

Basic Chord Symbols:
  • Letter Name (e.g., C) = Major chord
  • m = minor chord
  • + = Augmented chord
  • o = diminished chord
Seventh Chords:
  • 7 = minor seventh
  • M7 = Major seventh
  • Ø = half-diminished chord
  • o7 = diminished seventh chord


Extended Chords:
  • 9 = Ninth chord
  • 11 = Eleventh chord
  • 13 = Thirteenth chord

Altered Tones:
  • b5 = flat fifth
  • #5 = sharp fifth
  • b9 = flat ninth
  • #9 = sharp ninth
  • #11 = sharp eleventh
  • b13 = flat thirteenth
Examples:
  • CM7 = a C Major chord with a Major seventh.
  • Dm(M7) = a D minor chord with a Major seventh.

  • Fm9 = an F minor chord with a minor seventh, and a ninth.

  • C7#9 = a C Major chord with a minor seventh, and a sharp ninth.