**Chord symbols**, also known as lead-sheet or jazz symbols, are placed above the staff to identify 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 diminished circle ($\mathrm{º}$) and augmented triads by the names of their root followed by a plus sign ($\mathrm{^{+}}$). **Example 1.** Chord symbols for the four types of triads. ![[example chord symbols triads.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 the five common types of seventh chords. ![[example chord symbols seventh chords.png]] ## Inversions As shown in **Example 3**, a slash (/) followed by a note name specifies the lowest-sounding note, or bass note, of a chord. When the note following the slash is a chord member other than the root, the symbol indicates an [[inversion]]. **Example 3.** Chord symbols for inverted chords. ![[example chord symbols inversions.png]]