We again start with C major scale: C D E F G A B. If we take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes from the A major scale, we get the A major chord notes: A, C♯, E. Let's use the same formula as in the previous example: 1, 3, 5. Let's start with the A major scale: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. C is the first degree of the scale, D is the second degree, and so on.Īccording to our formula, the first, third, and fifth degrees make up a C major chord therefore, it consists of the following notes: C, E, G.Įxample 2: Let's have a look at A major chord notes. Let's number the notes in the C major scale: 1:C, 2:D, 3:E, 4:F, 5:G, 6:A, 7:B. The numbers tell us which notes from the major scale we need. Now, we need a formula for the major chord: 1, 3, 5.

Let's see what notes make up a chord in the following three examples:Įxample 1: You want to know what notes make up a C major chord.Ĭ major scale will be our starting point: C D E F G A B (if you don't know what these letters mean, you can read about intervals and scales in our music scale calculator).

E flat diminished triad