Twelve decoding cards
| Symbol | Notes (root-position chord tones) | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| C | C E G | Major triad |
| Cm | C E♭ G | Minor third |
| F | F A C | Major triad |
| Fm | F A♭ C | Minor third |
| G | G B D | Major triad |
| G7 | G B D F | Dominant seventh |
| Dm | D F A | Minor triad |
| D7 | D F♯ A C | Dominant seventh |
| Am | A C E | Minor triad |
| Am7 | A C E G | Minor seventh |
| Cmaj7 | C E G B | Major seventh |
| C/E | C E G; E in bass | Bass choice, not a new triad |
These note spellings are presented for keyboard verification, not as a requirement to play every note with one hand. In a fuller arrangement, the chord may be divided between left and right hands.
Slash versus inversion
C/E usually results in C major first inversion when E is the lowest sounding note. C/G places G in the bass, often second inversion. But a slash chord can specify a bass note outside the triad (for example, C/D), so “every slash means a conventional inversion” is false.
Self-quiz: decode before peeking
Write the bass and right-hand tones for G/B, Am/C, D/F♯ and F/A; then compare with the key below.
Answer key
G/B: B bass, G–B–D chord; Am/C: C bass, A–C–E chord; D/F♯: F♯ bass, D–F♯–A chord; F/A: A bass, F–A–C chord.
If you mix up C7 and Cmaj7, remember that a dominant seventh lies ten semitones above the root, while a major seventh lies eleven. Explore four seventh chords and moving bass with slash chords after the root/quality distinction is secure.
Sources and scope
Source and topic references checked 28 October 2026. The linked articles/course outlines substantiate the indicated general principles and coverage, not our precise original exercise, performance effectiveness, or a first-hand review. Music studies here were independently composed for this site; external musician review before publishing is still outstanding.
- Berklee Online — Music Theory 101 syllabus — notation, triads, inversions, rhythm, lead sheets or key relationships named in the syllabus; not a performance assessment of our examples.
- Berklee Online — Piano Chords 101 syllabus — keyboard chord construction, lead-sheet playing and voicing topics described in the course overview; not verification of our original voicings.