Chord families

Chords can be grouped according to their quality, or type of sound.

The basic groups

Major – 1 3 5 – Happy

Minor 1 b3 5 – Sad

Diminished – 1 b3 b5

Augmented – 1 3 #5

Major 7 – 1 3 5 7 – Happy

Dominant 7 – 1 3 5 b7 – Unsettled

Minor 7 – 1 b3 5 b7 – Sad