# Chord symbols

*Module 7 · Lesson 4: Triads and arpeggios · BazzLow*

> Read the chord symbols used in charts and know their variants.

Before this lesson: [7.3 Diminished and augmented triads](https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/diminished-and-augmented-triads/)

Charts do not write out the notes of a chord. They write a short symbol, and you have to know what is inside it.

## Root plus suffix

A **chord symbol** is the root name followed by a **suffix** for the **chord quality**. There is no single standard. These are the most common forms, with this site’s own form first.

*Chord symbols from C: the forms used on this site and other forms you will meet.*

| Chord | Site (EN) | Site (IT) | Other forms seen |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| major | C | Do | CM, Cmaj, CΔ (rarely) |
| minor | Cm | Do m | Cmin, Cmi, C− |
| diminished | C° | Do ° | Cdim |
| augmented | C+ | Do + | Caug, C♯5 |
| suspended 2nd | Csus2 | Do sus2 | — |
| suspended 4th | Csus4 | Do sus4 | Csus |
| power chord | C5 | Do 5 | — |

A plain letter means a **major** triad. Watch for the **Δ** sign: some charts use it for major, most use it for **major seventh** (Module 10). Context decides.

## Italian charts

Italian charts traditionally write Do, Do m (or Do-, Dom), Do 7, Do maj7 (or Do 7+). This site uses one style consistently, but you should recognise the others.

A note name alone can mean a note, a chord or a key (lesson 1.1). In a chart, above the music, it is a chord.

## Try it

Read this progression aloud as chord names, then play the root of each: C – Am – F – G – Em – Dm – G – C.

## New terms

- chord symbol
- chord quality
- suffix

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/chord-symbols/