Chords
Chord tones
Chord tones are the notes that make up a chord: root, third and fifth, plus the seventh in a seventh chord. They are the safest landing points for a melody or solo.
What are chord tones?
Every chord is made of a few specific notes. For a triad, they are the root, third and fifth; for a seventh chord, add the seventh.
| Chord | Chord tones | Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| C | C E G | 1 3 5 |
| Am | A C E | 1 ♭3 5 |
| G7 | G B D F | 1 3 5 ♭7 |
| Cmaj7 | C E G B | 1 3 5 7 |
| Dm7 | D F A C | 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 |
Everything else is either a tension (9, 11, 13) or a passing note. Chord tones always sound "right" over their chord, even when held for a long time.
Why chord tones matter when you improvise
The same note changes role depending on the chord. F is the seventh of G7 (a chord tone, perfect to land on) but the fourth of C (a tension that wants to resolve to E). E is the fifth of Am but the major seventh of F.
Practical rule: land on chord tones on the strong beats (1 and 3) and use the other scale notes to travel between them. Thirds and sevenths, known as guide tones, are the most expressive because they tell the ear whether the chord is major, minor or dominant. They are the favourite target notes of improvisers.
Finding chord tones on the fretboard
Playing a chord's notes one at a time means playing its arpeggio. A7 (A C# E G) in 5th position:
- Low E string: fret 5 (A)
- A string: frets 4 (C#) and 7 (E)
- D string: frets 5 (G) and 7 (A)
- G string: fret 6 (C#)
- B string: frets 5 (E) and 8 (G)
- High E string: fret 5 (A)
D7 (D F# A C) in the same area: A string fret 5 (D), D string frets 4 (F#) and 7 (A), G string frets 5 (C) and 7 (D), B string fret 7 (F#), high E frets 5 (A) and 8 (C).
Exercise: target the thirds over a blues in A
Over a blues in A (A7, D7, E7), play simple phrases from the A minor pentatonic at the 5th fret, but end each phrase on the third of the current chord:
- Over A7: C# (G string, fret 6).
- Over D7: F# (B string, fret 7) or C (G string, fret 5), the seventh.
- Over E7: G# (D string, fret 6).
Notice the move from A7 to D7: C# on the G string drops one fret to C. A single half step is enough to make the chord change audible. The solo builder shows these target notes and arpeggios for each chord of a progression.
Key takeaways
- Chord tones = 1, 3, 5 (and 7 in a seventh chord).
- They sound stable over the chord, other notes add tension.
- Land on them on strong beats, connect them with the scale.
- Thirds and sevenths are the most telling targets.
Frequently asked questions
Should I only play chord tones in a solo?
No, that would just be an arpeggio. The idea is to lean on them at key moments (strong beats, phrase endings) and use the other scale notes as passing notes between those landing points.
What is the difference between chord tones and scale tones?
The scale gives the seven notes available in the key. Chord tones are the three or four of those notes that form the current chord. In C major over G7, the scale is the same, but only G, B, D and F are chord tones.
Are extensions like the 9th chord tones?
In a chord written as C9, yes, the ninth is part of the chord. Over a plain C, D is a tension: it works as a passing note or held on purpose, but it is less stable than C, E or G.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.