Chord Symbol Decoder
Type a chord symbol and see what every part of it means. Turns maj7, sus4 and add9 into plain language you can play.
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Questions
How do I read chord symbols like Cmaj7 or Dm9?
Type any chord symbol into the Chord Symbol Decoder. It breaks down each part: the root (C), the quality (maj), and any extensions (7). You learn what every letter, number, and symbol means in standard chord notation.
What does the 7 mean in a chord symbol?
A plain 7 after a chord root means a dominant seventh (a minor seventh above the root). maj7 means a major seventh, and m7 means a minor seventh. The decoder explains each variation clearly.
What do sus, add, and dim mean in chord names?
'sus' (suspended) replaces the third with a second or fourth. 'add' adds a note without removing others. 'dim' means diminished (flattened third and fifth). The decoder explains all these modifiers.
Why are there so many ways to write the same chord?
Chord notation has evolved with different conventions in jazz, classical, and pop music. Cm7, C-7, and Cmin7 all mean the same thing. The decoder recognizes multiple notation styles.
What is the sharp and flat spelling pair?
When the root has an accidental, the decoder shows the same chord written both ways — C#maj7 and Dbmaj7, for example — with notes spelled from each name. Natural roots like C have no twin, so no pair appears.