TRIAD
Root · 3rd · 5th
The 3rd determines major or minor quality while the 5th supports the basic structure.
How chords work
Understand the logic behind chords.
Chord theory becomes practical when you connect intervals → chord quality → function → progression → voicing. ChordRevelation keeps those layers connected.
how chords workchord theoryintervalsharmonic functiondiatonic chordsguitar harmony
ChordRevelation / CONNECTED HARMONY
● Explore
Harmony path
01
Chord
notes + quality
02
Function
context + movement
03
Voicing
fretboard + connection
Find voicingShow on fretboardVoice leadingPlay over chord
Chord construction starts with intervals.
Chord names describe relationships above a root.
A chord is built from intervals. Major and minor triads establish the basic quality, seventh chords add another structural tone, and extensions add color above that foundation.
SEVENTH
Add the 7th
The type of 7th creates maj7, dominant 7, m7 and related seventh-chord families.
EXTENSIONS
Add 9 · 11 · 13
Extensions enrich a chord while its core function is still shaped by the essential chord tones.
Diatonic chords come from one key.
A scale generates a family of related harmonies.
Stacking scale tones in thirds creates the diatonic chords of a key. Roman numerals make their relationship transposable and easier to compare across keys.
I
Tonic center
The I chord represents the main point of stability in a major key.
ii + IV
Predominant area
These chords often move away from tonic and prepare dominant function.
V + vii°
Dominant area
These chords contain strong tendency tones that pull toward resolution.
Harmonic function explains direction.
Why does one chord want to move to another?
Function groups chords by the role they play in the key. Tonic provides stability, predominant moves away from tonic and prepares tension, and dominant points strongly back toward tonic.
TONIC
Rest and identity
Tonic-family chords feel relatively stable and define the tonal center.
PREDOMINANT
Preparation
Predominant chords create motion toward dominant tension.
DOMINANT
Tension and resolution
Dominant chords create the strongest functional pull toward a target or tonic.
Progressions turn chord theory into music.
Harmony is meaningful when it moves.
Once chord construction and function are clear, progressions become easier to understand. Then voicing and voice leading decide how that harmony is actually played on guitar.
I–IV–V
Basic functional map
A simple way to hear tonic, subdominant/predominant and dominant relationships.
ii–V–I
Functional cadence
Predominant → dominant → tonic in its clearest jazz form.
I–vi–ii–V
Continuous cycle
A common turnaround that links several diatonic functions into a repeating loop.
FAQ
Useful answers, connected to the fretboard.
Use the concepts here as a starting point, then open the matching ChordRevelation view to test the harmony in context.
How are chords built?
Chords are built by combining intervals above a root. Triads use root, 3rd and 5th; seventh chords add a 7th; extensions can add 9ths, 11ths and 13ths.
What is harmonic function?
Harmonic function describes the role a chord plays in a key, such as tonic stability, predominant preparation or dominant tension.
Why do some chords naturally lead to others?
Their scale degrees and tendency tones create directional relationships. Functional progressions such as ii–V–I make this movement especially clear.
ChordRevelation
Move from explanation to interaction.
Open the matching view in ChordRevelation, change the key, compare voicings and see the relationships on the fretboard.