Notes, MIDI numbers, frequencies and intervals for any chord
| Note | Interval | Semitones | MIDI | Freq (Hz) |
|---|
Every chord is defined by a set of intervals — the distances in semitones between the root note and each other note. A major chord is always root + 4 semitones + 7 semitones. A minor chord is root + 3 semitones + 7 semitones. The pattern of intervals determines the character of the chord regardless of which root note you choose.
This is why a G major chord and a C major chord have the same quality — both follow the same interval pattern. Changing the root note transposes the chord; changing the interval pattern changes the chord type.
| Chord type | Symbol | Intervals (semitones) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | 0 – 4 – 7 | Bright, happy, stable | |
| Minor | m | 0 – 3 – 7 | Dark, sad, stable |
| Dominant 7th | 7 | 0 – 4 – 7 – 10 | Tense, wants to resolve |
| Major 7th | maj7 | 0 – 4 – 7 – 11 | Dreamy, lush, jazz |
| Minor 7th | m7 | 0 – 3 – 7 – 10 | Mellow, soulful |
| Diminished | dim | 0 – 3 – 6 | Tense, unstable, eerie |
| Augmented | aug | 0 – 4 – 8 | Suspended, dreamlike |
| Sus2 | sus2 | 0 – 2 – 7 | Open, neither major nor minor |
| Sus4 | sus4 | 0 – 5 – 7 | Anticipatory, unresolved |
| Power chord | 5 | 0 – 7 | Powerful, ambiguous (no third) |
A chord inversion changes which note appears in the bass (lowest position) without changing which notes make up the chord. A C major chord in root position has C at the bottom. In first inversion, E is at the bottom. In second inversion, G is at the bottom. The chord is still "C major" — only the voicing has changed.
Inversions are used to create smooth voice leading — minimising how far individual notes have to move between chords. A I–IV progression in root position requires large jumps; using inversions, you can often move each voice by just one or two semitones.
In notation, inversions are indicated with a slash: C/E means C major with E in the bass (first inversion). C/G means C major with G in the bass (second inversion). In MIDI, inverting a chord means raising the lower notes by one octave.
Select a root note, octave, voicing (inversion), and chord type. The note chips show each note name, MIDI number, and frequency. The interval table shows the exact semitone distances and interval names. Use Play chord to hear the chord via the Web Audio API. Copy MIDI numbers or note names for use in your DAW or notation software.