Reading Chord Symbols In Classical & Popular Music

Reading Chord Symbols In Classical & Popular Music


Reading Chord Symbols In Classical & Popular Music
There are 2 types of chord symbols, both of which you should become familiar with, if you are not already. One type is an "absolute" symbol, and is used mostly in popular music: Cm7, F9, G6, and so. The other type is a "relative" symbol, in that it can be used in any key: I6, V7, IV, etc, and is used mostly in classical music. You'll learn both types of symbols in this course, and you'll get a chart that shows how they relate to one another.

Classical chord symbols:
I 6/4

IV

V7

iv7

Etc.
Popular chord symbols:
Ebm7

A9

F7-5

G7sus

Etc.