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commonchords

 

Common Chords Used for the Autoharp

Chord Name

Open Strings

Chord Name

Open Strings

Ab Maj

G#

C

D#

 

D Maj

D

F#

A

 

A Maj

A

C#

E

 

D7

D

F#

A

C

A7

A

C#

E

G

D min

D

F

A

 

A min

A

C

E

 

Eb Maj

D#

G

A#

 

Bb Maj

A#

D

F

 

E Maj

E

G#

B

 

Bb7

A#

D

F

G#

E7

E

G#

B

D

B Maj

B

D#

F#

 

E min

E

G

B

 

B7

B

D#

F#

A

F Maj

F

A

C

 

B min

B

D

F#

 

F7

F

A

C

D#

C Maj

C

E

G

 

F# min

F#

A

C#

 

C7

C

E

G

A#

F#7

F#

A#

C#

E

C min

C

D#

G

 

G Maj

G

B

D

 

C#min

C#

E

G#

 

G7

G

B

D

F

C, D#, F# or Adim7

C, D#, F#, A

G min

G

A#

D

 

C#, E, G or A#dim7

C#, E, G, A#

D, F, G# or Bdim7

D, F, G#, B

 

The common Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do scale is often presented numerically, using roman numerals:  I II III IV V VI VII. 
Common major chords for the autoharp are made up of the I, III, V of the scale which begins with the root, or chord name.  Thus the chord C is made up of C, E, G (I, III, V).
Minor chords are I, flatted III, and V.  Seventh chords (more accurately called dominant sevenths) are made up of I, III, V and flatted VII.
In general, a chord should not start in the bass with the third.  For instance, the Am chord will leave the first C (the third) dampened, starting the chord instead with the lowest E. 

Some Nice Chord Variations (Sometimes Called Color Chords)
Chords shown work well with diatonic and chromatic autoharps

  •    M7 (Major Seven):  With any major chord above, add the VII (Ti).  Example- CM7= C E G B
  • m7 (Minor Seven):  With any minor chord above, add the flat VII (Ti).  Example- Am7= A C E G
  • M6 (Major Six):  With any major chord above, at the VI (La).  Example- C6= C E G A

NOTE:  The C6 uses the same notes as the Am7.  This relationship can be found with every major chord and it relative minor.

  • sus4 (suspended fourth)  With any major chord above, delete the III (Mi), and add the IV (Fa).     Example- Csus4= C F G
  • Add9 (Add nine):  With any major chord above, add the first note above the root.  This note is designated as a IX on the piano keyboard, but for the autoharp it may be thought of as a II (Re) as well, because they are the same note, and the octave in which it is played is not as important.  Example- Cadd9 (Cadd2) C E G D

(C D E G).
Many other chord combinations are available.  These are the most common used for Autoharp.

 

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Contact us with any questions:
d’Aigle Autoharps And Folk Instruments
19106 Des Moines memorial Drive S
SeaTac, WA   98148

206-439-3549
1-800-630-HARP (4277)

daigleharp@gmail.com