**Chord symbols**, also known as lead-sheet or jazz symbols, are symbols placed above the staff that identify and label harmonies. A chord symbol indicates the root of a [[chords|chord]], its quality, and any alterations. ## Triads **Example 1** below shows chord symbols for the four types of [[triads]]. Major triads are represented by just the names of their root as a capital letter. For example, the chord symbol for the E major triad below is just "E." Minor triads are represented by the names of their root followed by a lowercase "m." Diminished triads are indicated by the names of their root followed by a degree symbol (º) and augmented triads by the name of their root followed by a plus sign ($\mathrm{^{+}}$). **Example 1.** Chord symbols for the four types of triads. ![[chord symbols example 1.png]] ## Seventh Chords **Example 2** below shows chord symbols for the five common types of [[seventh chords]]: major ($\mathrm{^{Δ7}}$), dominant ($\mathrm{^{7}}$), minor ($\mathrm{m^{7}}$), half-diminished ($\mathrm{^{𝆩7}}$), and fully diminished ($\mathrm{º^{7}}$) **Example 2.** Chord symbols for seventh chords. ![[chord symbols example 2.png]]