Chord Identification
Listen to the chord and identify its type
Chord Reference
Major: Happy, bright (R-M3-P5) | Minor: Sad, dark (R-m3-P5) | Dim: Tense (R-m3-d5) | Aug: Dreamy (R-M3-A5)
About Chord Identification by Ear
Hearing a chord and knowing what kind it is — major, minor, diminished, augmented — is the foundation of every transcription, every cover, and every jam session. This game trains your ear on the four basic triads first, then layers in the seventh chords that color most pop and jazz harmony.
The Four Basic Chord Qualities
Every triad fits one of four templates. The difference is just the size of the third and fifth above the root.
| Quality | Formula | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Root + major 3rd + perfect 5th | Bright, settled, happy |
| Minor | Root + minor 3rd + perfect 5th | Soft, dark, contemplative |
| Diminished | Root + minor 3rd + diminished 5th | Tense, restless, "horror movie" |
| Augmented | Root + major 3rd + augmented 5th | Suspended, dreamy, "magic spell" |
Major and minor are by far the most common — together they account for the vast majority of chords in pop, rock, country, folk, and classical music. Diminished and augmented are rarer but extremely recognizable once you have heard a few examples.
Block vs. Arpeggio
The game offers two play styles, and learning to identify chords both ways is genuinely useful:
- Block — all three (or four) notes sound at once. This is how chords are usually played by guitars and pianos in song accompaniment, and it is the more difficult mode for ear training because the notes blur into a single timbre.
- Arpeggio — the notes are played one at a time, like the strings of a harp. This is easier for the ear because you can compare each note in turn, and it is also how chords appear in fingerstyle guitar, classical etudes, and a lot of cinematic music.
Beginners often find arpeggio mode much easier and use it as a stepping stone to block mode.
The Seventh Chords (Advanced)
Seventh chords add a fourth note — a seventh above the root — on top of a triad. This single added note changes the chord's emotional flavor significantly.
- Major 7 (Maj7) — major triad + major 7th. The signature sound of 1970s jazz-funk and bossa nova. Bittersweet, sophisticated.
- Minor 7 (m7) — minor triad + minor 7th. Smooth, mellow. The Steely Dan chord.
- Dominant 7 (7) — major triad + minor 7th. The blues chord. Restless, wants to resolve.
The difference between Maj7 and Dom7 is one half step in the top note. Training your ear to hear that half step is the central challenge of the Advanced level.
How to Identify Chords by Ear
- Start with the major/minor decision. Major sounds "up." Minor sounds "down." This is the most important distinction and it lives in the third of the chord.
- If you are not sure, sing the bottom note. Then sing up to the second note. If the gap feels like the first two notes of "When the Saints Go Marching In," it is a major third. If it feels like the first two notes of "Greensleeves," it is a minor third.
- Check the top note. If the chord sounds stable after the third has been identified, it is a regular triad (major or minor). If it sounds tense or floating, it is diminished or augmented.
- For sevenths, listen for the added color. Maj7 sounds dreamy. Dom7 sounds bluesy. m7 sounds smooth.
Tips
- Start on Beginner in Arpeggio mode. Major vs. minor only. Build accuracy here before adding diminished and augmented.
- Sing the bottom note of each chord. Singing-along anchors the chord's root and makes the higher notes easier to evaluate.
- When two qualities sound similar, focus on the highest note. The top note is usually the most distinctive.
- Pair this with Chord Progressions once you have the four basic triads — recognizing individual chords is a prerequisite for recognizing how they move.
Tip: Hearing the difference between major and minor is one of the few music skills that everyone can develop within a week. If it feels stuck, take a day off — the ear consolidates during rest.