rule for determining a chord...?

Hello everyone, I was wondering if there's a simple rule to determine the name of a (unknown) chord. I'm a songwriter (35+ years now writing tunes) who doesn't know spit about theory (I tried but it's too much work...;>)

Over the years i've 'invented' a few chords - at least i play a few that aren't in chord books, computer software or on online chord finders. It's a pain when it comes to printing out my lyric (& chord block sheets) to not have a name for some of these chords.

My question is this, is there a way or formula to determine the appropriate name for a chord using the notes played?
For example (and i'm just guessing here on the latter chord name here), what rule of thumb or formula turns a Gmaj into a Gdim flat 5/9 sus2 +4...?

You're in the right place!

Have a look at this part of our amazing guitar site ;)

Chord Name?

By writing in the notes for the invented chords you're talking about, you'll then be able to determine what the chord name is, what the chord consists of within a particular scale and hopefully this will make it easier to remember!


Anyway, lemme go through a few chords for you myself...

Gmaj consists of the root note (G), Third (B), and the fifth (D)

The reason for this is because these are being take from it's scale...

GMaj scale is as follows:

G, A, B, C, D, E, F#
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The major scale is like this: Maj, min, min, Maj, Maj, min, dim.

Each of these numbered notes in a scale have a name - this clarifies their assigned type. These are called modes.

Major - 1 - Major / Ionian
minor - 2 - Dorian
minor - 3 - Phrygian
Major - 4 - Lydian
Major - 5 - Mixolydian
minor - 6 - Minor / Aeolian
dimin - 7 - Diminished

Gdim chord is as follows:

1, b3, b5
G, Db, Bb

As you've been a song writer for so many years, I'm sure you know by now that it's possible to play a bunch of different chords on top of a bass line, this gives versatility. There are theoretical reasons for these chords being the way they are, but I have a feeling they'll only be confusing and stop you from enjoying music to it's fullest.

If you do want to understand this more, I really do recommend checking out some of my lessons.

Major Scale And Modes Within

Arpeggios

Scales and Arpeggios Practice

I hope these help you out!

@Jim_L welcome to the family dude!



i have that same issue, except mines are with arpeggios (which, in essence are the same thing....but still). if you really want to learn theory, jazz maverick, guitarslinger124 and some others on this forum know a whole lot about it..

im actually just starting to get serious about learning theory...i mean i know enough to explain what im doin, but those two that i noted....theory beasts man haha

Welcome to the forum, as for the question is there simple rule to determine the unknown chord... no. Theres not. There is a rules and methods, but they are far from simple hahhah...

anyway, you should check those Missys lessons, they are phenomenal. But as to your question, I think what you are looking for, is theory of intervals. Spent time with it first and it give you a revelation im sure. I really hope I could explain it like RA could do, but unfortunately I cant.

Emp

Here's some insight on how to build basic major/minor/dim/aug chords

Building Chords: Major, Minor, Diminished and Augmented