Rllink
Well-known member
I guess that I don't understand what the distinction is between a major chord, and a maj chord. I mean, there is an E7, and then there is an Emaj7. What is the distinction between the two? Are they not the same chord?
I know how they are played, I don't know why there is the distinction "maj", when "major" is implied in major chords? That is the confusion. I could go through my ukulele life without knowing I suppose, and play Emaj7, or E7, or E, aka Emaj, every time it comes up, but the meaning of that "maj" in Emaj7 is what is digging at me. How to actually play them is not the problem.E chord consists of the notes E, G#, B
E7 chord consists of the notes E, G#, B, D
Emaj7 chord consists of the notes E, G#, B, D#
All three are different chords.
That is what I'm working on Dick, and that is what brought this all up. I'm starting to regret it, as I was doing so well before. But I'm trying to take it to another level, and I think that I need a ten foot ladder to get me there, and I don't know where to find one. I'm frustrated, if you can't tell. I think that I need a drink.It would help you a lot (maybe) if you learned the names of the notes on each string too. I know you're trying to "keep it simple", but it would help you to understand chords, and how they are formed. Lots of books have a chart showing this. Maybe one of your many books has one.
The best part of playing the Uke for me is all the new information that I am gaining. I love to learn. ld:
I don't think we have enough time to cover everything that I don't know. And then add my thick skull to the mix, and I'm wondering if I'm a lost cause.
No, Rollie, they're not the same. E is a major chord (and a finger buster, I might add). One plays it 4,4,4,2. EMaj7 is an E chord with a major 7th. One plays it 4,4,4,6. There's E chords and E7 chords and EMaj7 chords--got it?
Oops! I just read your question again. E7 is an E chord with a minor 7th. One plays it 1,2,0,2.
You seem to have an inquiring mind. Maybe you should get a Theory for Dummies book. I have it, and, though it didn't help me a lot, I did find some chapters helpful.
Lots of peeps play D or F chords instead of E chords. ld:
That makes sense, especially when I go back and re-read everything again. Thank you.When you call a chord E major 7th, the word "major" refers to the seventh, not the chord. A chord labelled E7 is indeed a major chord, but the seventh is actually a minor seventh. You see the D is a minor 7th above the root (E), and a D# is a major 7th above the root.
So, just as an E chord is major unless specified minor (Em), an E7 chord is actually a minor 7th chord unless specified major 7th (EM7).
That is the book that started this. I got it in the mail this morning, and I'm already over my head.Maybe that 'Fretboard Roadmaps' book that gets lots of praise here in the forum has some helpful info as well.
I've not bought/used it yet...
so a sort of blind spot remains for me to explain it as well as our fellow UU members have above, I 'know' how to 'use' the chords based upon years of experience, but my chord theory is rusty at the moment, and I rely more on how it sounds to my ear for songwriting than any formula based upon theory...
sorry I dont have more to offer