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A C major chord consists of the notes number 1, 3, and 5, of the scale (or key) of C major. C is the first note of the C major scale, E the third, and G the fifth. These numbers do not represent intervals.

Every major chord is constructed the same way, by notes 1, 3, and 5 of the major scale it's root note represents. D major (DF#A) is made up of the first, third, and fifth note of the D major scale.

tanks, Does this result to I can always conclude that the .. 3'th and 5'th as musical concepts are the 4 and 7 halfstep if do my counting upwards from the base.

I thought it was strange the site referred to them as intervals , it just added to the confusion.

I think the table below will from my perspective help me in the short run I "think" in C , so all I have is to have a fast lookup table in another key.
C D E F G A B C
D E F G A B C D
E F G A B C D E
'
'
etc

Your table is wrong. If you start on D it should be D E F# G A B C# D (the D major scale). If you start on E then it's E F# G# A B C# D# E (the E major). Use your ears. Every major scale sounds the same.

Yes I see it , because of the WWHWWWH thing.

I was thinking more in simple chords. My problem will mostly be: I know I need the Am if I was in key of C, but now I am in key of F (need to look up something fast) ...

I kinda "know" the chords , at least the simple ones. I know a C9 , but I was asked to play a E9 , and then had to think , lets see , must add a 7 and a 2 ...hmmm

This is the best site for learning to understand theory that I know. I suggest you start at the beginning and you can still ask questions on what you run across.

https://www.teoria.com/

The word "major" is used in three places, and has a specific meaning in each: major intervals, major scales, major chords (triad chords, specifically). You are asking about major chords.

We are dealing with triads. Triads skip one letter name: C(D)E(F)G - so CEG etc. The first "qualities" of a triad you learn about are major and minor. Work with the piano and your ear, so it's not abstract.

CEG = major triad; C Eb G = minor triad
D F# A = major triad; DFA = minor triad
GBD = major triad; G Bb D = minor triad

Play these back and forth so you can hear the difference between major and minor triads; also play the three majors and the three minors to hear what is the same about them.

Notice that the outer notes are always the same between a major and a minor; the middle note is different. You could consider the middle note a kind of "light switch" that you can toggle up or down by a half step. The interval from C to E = 4 half steps = a major third interval; the interval from C to Eb = 3 half steps = a minor third interval. The interval of the outer notes is always a perfect 5th (CG, DA, GD in the three triads).

These triads also exist in a scale, which is where Theodore is coming from.
When you start on the first note of a scale you get the following triads - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. are designated by Roman Numerals. I am using "m" to designate minors (there are several conventions).

In the key of C major:
CEG = I (major)
DFA = IIm or ii (minor)
EGB = IIIm or iii (minor)
FAC = IV (major)
GBD = V (major)
ACE = VIm or vi (minor)
BDF = viio = diminished (which we haven't discussed)

So the chord built on the Tonic of first note of a major scale is major as Theodore says. But so is the 4th and 5th. The Tonic is the "home" note, the "home" chord, it is home - so the fact of its chord being major lends a major feel to the whole major scale. If you change the E to Eb you end up with a "minor sound" to the scale, and also a minor triad. The various elements of music all interact and create a living "chemistry" giving music the effect that it has on us.

I will digest your knowledge , really nice of you keystring and constructive to make use of your time show me and others this.

Didn't have the time to answer yesterday, see that keystring came to the rescue, and I have little to add to his excellent reply.

That table at the end is very useful, which I also brought up in a different form earlier. Major(1,4,5), minor(2,3,6), and diminished(7).

It's also useful to note that the shell of major and minor chords is the same, the first and the fifth, the outer notes. A major chord can be changed to a minor one, by lowering the third, the middle, or inner note, by a half-step.

I like to use still another rule of thumb, when forming major and minor chords. To get a major chord, simply count from the first note four half-steps, then from the middle note, count three half-steps. This counting is reversed in a minor chord, first three half-steps, then four.

Example C major chord, C, one two three four, E, one two three, you have the G, the fifth. C minor chord - C, one two three, Eb, one thwo three four, G. Major = half-steps(4,3). Minor = half-steps(3,4).

If this shortcut is not helpful to you, just ignore it, we all have our own preferences. Anyhow, good to brush up on music theory, every now and then!

Rolfie: Please you are killing yourself with all those rules ...

Here is ...

Baa Black Sheep melody in ANY KEY indicated by the scale tones ...
Each note 1 beat unless indicated differently in parenthesis.

1 1 5 5 6 6 5(2)

4 4 3 3 2 2 1(2)


That is it. It is that simple.

Now, if you know the major scale in the key you wish to play in, you just play those numbered tones in that scale and you are "transposing" from one key to another.

You do not need a dozen formulas. You just need to know the scale in that key.

Just play those scale tones within that key.

If you can do that, then the next step is to know the family of chords based on that scale and the chords are equally as simple.

Your assignment is to play Baa Black Sheep in the keys of C, then F, then G, then D using those scale tones as a guide.

When you can do that ... I will move you on to the chords in those keys ...