M
Triads · Chord Type
Major Chord
The brightest, most stable triad. The foundation of Western tonal music.
0 st4 st7 st
How to Hear It
Listen for the bright, stable, resolved quality. The major third (4 semitones) above the root gives it its characteristic cheerfulness.
Hear the Major Chord
Famous Examples
- Let It Be (C major) — Beatles
- Here Comes the Sun (A major) — Beatles
- Wonderwall (Em, G, Dsus4, A) — Oasis
Major in All 12 Keys
Related Triads
About the Major Chord
Built from the semitone intervals 0, 4, 7 from the root, the major chord belongs to the triads family and appears across virtually every genre of music.
To train your ear to recognise the major chord instantly, practice hearing it in all 12 keys. Use the links above to target specific roots, or open the full recognition trainer.