Guitar chord theory help?

Question

I am discussing chord theory with my guitar teacher and don understand I get that the notes in the major scale represent 1,3,5,7 etc. and to make a 7th chord you have to use the 7 note as the root . Please explain augmented diminished etc.

Answer 1

first off - major chord is 1, 3, 5. Adding the 7 to the chord is what makes it a 7th.

second -

ok basically diminished is when you drop the 3 and 5 a half step - for example the C chord would be C E G. A dimished C chord would be C Eb Gb.

Augmented is when you raise the 5th a half step. So the augmented C chord would be C E  G#.

The basic rule for a major chord is that it is 2 steps to get to the 3rd and 1 1/2 steps to get to the 5th. Basically look at a keyboard to understand it better (it always helps me). A step would be 2 keys (usually a white and a black, but those darn things have to be all changy and sometimes be 2 white). So for a major chord it's C (4 keys up) E (3 keys up) G.

Diminished is 3 and 3 (both 1 1/2 steps) and augmented is 4 and 4 (both 2 steps).

It's an easy concept to grasp when you get the hang of it, but it's hard just starting out. Your best bet if you still don't understand is to ask your guitar teacher to explain it better.

Answer 2

Ask your teacher to explain it again. don't be shy to ask, that is what he's there for!

Answer 3

To make a 7th chord you don't need the 7th in the root.  There is no correct ordering of notes although for the sake of discussion people usually talk about a 7th chord in this order: Root, 3rd, 5th, b7th.  In the key of C they are C, E, G, Bb.

An augmented chord contains: Root (1), 3rd, #5, and b7.  C, E, G# (or Ab), Bb.

A diminished chord is made up of 4 tones each a min 3rd from the previous note.  1, b3, b5, bb7.  In the key of C the notes are C, Eb, Gb and A.