Medeli M-30 User manual

2
Music Stand
Instruction Manual
12V Adaptor
Congratulations
Congratulations on your purchase of this electronic keyboard!
This keyboard is easy-to-use, with advanced functions especially suitable for self-learning beginners.
No matter you are adult or children, you will enjoy playing the keyboard as it provides amazing styles
for accompaniment, expressive tones, and real time record. Other features such as numbered musical
notation display chord dictionary, variety of songs will help you better master the playing skill.
You are recommended to study this manual carefully before using the unit.
Please make sure the package completely contains the following:
Inside This Package
The Instrument

3
Important Notes
Your keyboard will give you years of playing
pleasure if you follow the simple rules given
below:
Location
Do not expose the unit to the following
conditions to avoid deformation,
discoloration, or more serious damage.
Direct sunlight.
High temperature (near a heat source,or
inside a car under long exposure of
sunlight.
Excessive humidity
Excessive dust
Strong vibration
Power Supply
Make sure the suitable AC adaptor is
used, and the AC outlet voltage at your
country matches the input voltage
specified on the AC adaptor s label.
Turn the power switch OFF when the
instrument is not in use.
An AC adaptor should be unplugged from
the AC outlet if the instrument is not
going to be used for an extended period of
time.
Unplug the AC adaptor during electric
storms.
Avoid plugging the AC adaptor into the
same AC outlets as appliances with high
power consumption, such as electric
heaters or ovens. Also avoid using multi-
plug adaptors since this could reduce
sound quality, causes operation errors
and damages.
'
's
Turn Power OFF When Making
Connections
To avoid damaging the instrument and
other devices to which it is connected,
turn the power switches of all related
devices OFF prior to connecting or
disconnecting cables.
Handling and Transporting
Never apply excessive force to the
controls, connectors or other parts of the
instrument.
Always unplug cables by gripping the plug
firmly, but not pulling the cables.
Disconnect all cables before moving the
instrument.
Physical shocks caused by dropping,
bumping, or placing heavy objects on the
instrument could result in scratches or
even severe damages.
Cleaning
Clean the unit with a soft dry cloth.
A slightly dampened cloth may remove
stubborn grime and dirt.
Never use cleaners such as alcohol or
thinner.
Avoid placing vinyl object on top of the
unit (vinyl might discolor and stick to the
surface).
Electrical Interference
This instrument contains digital circuitry
and may cause interference if it is placed
too close to radio or television receivers.
If this occurs, move the instrument
further away from the receivers.
The normal function of the product may be disturbed by Strong Electro Magnetic
If so, simply reset the product to resume normal operation by following the instruction manual.
In case the function could not resume, please use the product in other location.
Interference.
Caution!

Main Features
4
KEYBOARD
61-key touch keyboard
OPERATION
Use numeric keypad and [+/YES] [-/NO] to select voice, style and song，Function including Beat,
Split point, MIDI IN，MIDI OUT, Bank select.
VOICE
395 voices in total.
STYLE
150 styles in total, including 10 PIANO styles.
SONG
100 songs in total. Each song has its learning mode.
DEMO
2 demos.
SONG LESSON
There are 3 different ways to practise the songs. Lesson1、Lesson2、Lesson3. This keyboard
also offers the GRADE function in all 3 learning modes to help you know well about your progress.
CHORD MODE
Both Single finger chords and Fingers chords.
CHORD DICTIONARY
Provide chord information for users.
RECORD FEATURE
One recorded song.
STYLE CONTROL
Sync，Start/Stop，Fill/A，Fill/B，Intro/Ending
OTHER FEATURES
Transpose, Octave, Accomp volume, Piano, Dual, Memory, O.T.S, Touch，Metronome，Demo，
Sustain, Pitch wheel and etc.

5
Contents
Basic Operation.................................
＊Demo......................................................
＊Power Switch & Volume.............................
Voices and Effects............................
＊Select a Voice............................................
＊Dual Voice.....................................................
＊Sustain...................................................
＊Metronome...................................................
＊Transpose...........................................
＊Touch............................................................
＊Pitch Bend...........................................
＊Piano............................................................
＊Octave.........................................
Style Control.......................................
＊Stop a Style..........................................
＊Chord Recognize....................................
＊Accomp Volume...................................
＊Select a Style..............................................
＊Start a Style.............................................
＊Fill A/Fill B..........................................
＊Tempo.......................................................
General Guide..............................
＊Front Panel.................................................
＊Rear Panel...................................................
＊LCD Display...................................................
Preparation...................................
＊Power Supply...................................................
＊Setting the Music Stand.................................
Connections.......................................
＊Headphones Jack........................................
＊Sustain Jack.........................................
＊USB Jack.................................................
Memory...........................................
One Touch Setting..........................
Chord Dictionary..................................
＊Stop Record.........................................................
＊Start Record.............................................................
＊Playback Record................................................
Record....................................................
＊MIDI IN........................................................
＊Split Point.............................................................
＊Beat................................................
＊MIDI OUT................................................
＊Bank Select.............................................
Function Menu................................
＊LESSON Mode.............................................
Song.....................................................
＊Lesson 2................................................
＊Lesson 1................................................
＊Lesson 3.............................................
＊Grade Function.............................................
＊USB Connection......................................................
＊What is MIDI.......................................................28
＊MIDI Application.............................................
MIDI Function.................................
Specifications..........................................
Trouble Shooting....................................
＊Appendix 5 - Chord List...........................................
＊Appendix 6 - MIDI List..........................................7
＊Appendix 2 - Demo List................................................
＊Appendix 1 - Voice List............................................
＊Appendix 3 - Style List..........................................
＊Appendix 4 - Song List..........................................
Appendix..........................................
10
10
10
11-13
11
11-12
12
12
13
13
14
13
14
15-20
15
16-17
17
18
18
19-20
18
6
6
6
6
7-8
7
8
9
9
8-9
8
21
21
28
22
22
22
22
23-24
23
23
23
24
24
25-27
25
26
26
27
27
29
29
29
29
30
30
31-37
31-33
33
34
35
36
37

General Guide
Front Panel
RESET
SONG
STYLE
REPEAT A/B ONE TOUCH SETTING
SUSTAIN
METRO
PIANO
START/STOP SYNC INTRO/ENDING FILL A FILL B A.B.C. DUAL TOUCH PLAY
LESSON
CHORD
DICT.
STYLE VOICE
SONG
FUNCTION
L & R
STORE M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 O.T.S.
VOLUME
POWER
ON
OFF
395 VOICES
001-055 PIANO
056-102 MALLET
103-129 ORGAN
130-153 GUITAR
154-178 BASS
179-196 STRINGS
197-224 STRING ENSEMBLE
225-258 BRASS
259-284 REED
285-296 PIPE
297-327 LEAD
328-349 PAD
350-364 EFFECTS
365-372 ETHNIC
373-381 PERCUSSIVE
382-389 SOUND EFFECTS
390-395 DRUM SET
150 STYLES
001-031 BEAT & POP
032-053 ROCK
054-067 DANCE
068-080 SOUL & FUNK
081-093 JAZZ
094-109 COUNTRY
110-128 LATIN
129-139 TRADITIONAL
140-150 PIANO
100 SONGS
001-014 CLASSIC
015-040 FAVORITE
041-066 FOLK
067-080 KID S SONG
081-085 BALLROOM
086-100 PIANO & KEYBOARD
2 DEMOS
001 LITTER BROWN JUG
002 CHA CHA
TEMPO
ACCOMP
VOL
TRANSPOSE
OCTAVE
RIGHT
LEFT
DUAL
TOUCH
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
A.B.C.
O.T.S.
M1 M2
M3
M4
M5 M6
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11 12
13
14
15
272625242322212018
19
16
17
29
POWER ON/OFF
MASTER VOLUME
ACCOMP. VOLUME -/+
TEMPO -/+
LEFT/RIGHT HAND
CHORD DICTIONARY
LESSON
FUNCTION
LCD DISPLAY
DEMO
STYLE
VOICE
SONG
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
2
1
2
1
TRANSPOSE +/-
14
OCTAVE +/-
15
STYLE CONTROL
-START/STOP
-SYNC
-INTRO/ENDING
-FILL A
-FILL B
-AUTO BASS CHORD
16
17 SONG CONTROL
-START/STOP
-PAUSE
-REW
-FF
-REPEAT A/B
STORE
PANEL MEMORY
-M1-M6
ONE TOUCH SETTING
PIANO
METRONOME
DUAL
TOUCH
SUSTAIN
RECORD
PLAY
NUMERIC KEYS
PITCH BEND
21
19
23
25
27
26
28
22
20
24
18
29
Rear Panel
LCD Display
9 10
11
1
12
2
13
3
14
4
15
16
17
RIGHT
LEFT
DUAL
TOUCH
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
A.B.C.
O.T.S. M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6
1234
USB 12V
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
1
2
110
11
12
15
13
16
14
17
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
A.B.C.
BEAT
VOLUEM
CHORD
STYLE/SONG/VOICE
ONE TOUCH SETTING
STORE M1-M6
RIGHT
LEFT
DUAL
TOUCH
BASS CLEF
TREBLE CLEF
61 KEYBOARD
2
1
2
1USB JACK
PHONES JACK
3
4
SUSTAIN JACK
12V JACK
28
6

USB 12V
Preparation
Power Supply
This electronic keyboard can be powered by the current
of a standard household wall outlet (using the specified
AC adaptor) or by batteries.
Using The AC Adaptor
Make sure that only the AC adaptor specified for this
electronic keyboard is used. The adaptor shall be 12V
DC output, and center positive type. Be sure to turn off
the electronic keyboard before you connect the adaptor
into the AC wall outlet and the cord into the unit.
Using Batteries
Always make sure to turn the keyboard off before
inserting new batteries or replacing old ones.
To insert batteries
Open the battery compartment on the bottom of the
keyboard.
Insert 6 D-size (SUM-1, R-20) batteries into the battery
compartment and follow the correct polarity.
Replace the compartment cover and make sure that it
locks firmly in place.
1.
2.
Low battery indications
Any of the following symptoms indicate low battery
power. Replace the batteries as soon as possible
whenever any of the following occurs.
A dim and difficult-to-read LCD display.
Abnormally low speaker/headphone volume.
Distortion of the sound output.
Sudden power failure when playing at high volume.
Abnormal rhythms or demo songs are played.
Dimming of the display when playing at high volume.
When inserting batteries, make sure to follow the
polarity marking.
Never use batteries of different types.
Never mix old batteries with new ones.
Replace the batteries as soon as possible after any
sign of discharge.
Always remove the batteries from the battery
compartment when the keyboard is not expected to
be used for a long period of time.
CAUTIONS!
Use only the specified AC adaptor. Using other types
of adaptor creates the risk of fire and electrical shock.
For safety sake, be sure to unplug the AC adaptor
from the wall outlet whenever leaving the electronic
keyboard unattended for a long time.
CAUTIONS!
7

USB 12V
8
Preparation
Setting Music Stand
Please set up the music stand as the instruction below:
Connections
Headphones Jack
If you prefer to play with headphones for high quality
personal monitoring, plug a set of stereo headphones
into the rear panel PHONES jack.
Plug a set of headphones into the PHONES jack and
the speakers will be disabled automatically.
1.
2.
NOTE:
Never use headphones in high volume,
as it may hurt your ears.

9
Connections
Sustain Jack
USB Jack
An optional footswitch can be plugged into the
SUSTAIN jack for sustain control.
The footswitch functions like the damper pedal of a
piano. Press for sustain, release for normal sound.
Connect PC or other USB host devices that support
USB Audio.
For devices with USB cable, after the driver is installed
and initialization is finished, you can choose USB Audio
Device in the device menu of the software to transfer
midi data.
1.
1.
2.
2.
To avoid damages, turn the power switches of
this keyboard and all related devices OFF if you
want to plug in or unplug between this instru-
ment with all related devices.
WARNING
USB 12V

10
Basic Operation
Power Switch & Volume
Demo
1.
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
NOTE:
If the keyboard is silent, that means the
volume has adjusted to its minimum level.
NOTE:
In the demo mode, all function keys except
DEMO, START/STOP, TEMPO, +, -, No 1,
No 2, MASTER VOLUME will be disabled.
First, please ensure the correct connection has been
made based on the previous instruction.
Turn the [POWER] switch on. The LCD display lights
up.
Rotate [VOLUME] button to adjust the volume.
Press [DEMO] key to enter the DEMO mode.
Select a demo song with [+], [-] or number buttons
[1] [2] .
Press [START/STOP] or [DEMO] key again to exit
the demo mode.
This keyboard includes 2 classic demo songs.
NOTE:
If the LCD display does not light up after you
turned on the keyboard, please check the
power supply.
VOICE
STYLE
SONG
DEMO
VOLUME
VOLUME
POWER
POWER
ON
OFF
ON
OFF

11
Voices and Effects
There are 395 voices in total (See appendix).
Select a Voice
Dual Voice
1.
1.
2.
3.
Press the [VOICE] button to enter the voice mode.
The default VOICE 1 is NO:01; LCD will display VOICE 1
and its number.
The [+] and [-] buttons:
Press [+] or [- button to choose your desired voice.
The selected voice number will be shown on the display.
The number buttons:
The number buttons can be pressed directly to select
your desired voice.
After selecting a voice, you can now play the keyboard.
This keyboard has the dual voice function. This func-
tion is capable to enhance the delicacy of your music by
playing two voices of musical instruments simultaneously;
new combinations of voices and music could be created
then. When the dual function is off, the voice indicated
is VOICE 1, when the dual function is on, the voice indi-
cated would be VOICE 2.
" "
During the VOICE 1 status, press [DUAL] button to
enter the dual voice function. VOICE 2 and DUAL
signal would be lightened simultaneously. The number
of the dual voice will be displayed on the LCD. Now,
two different sounds will be appeared at the same time
just by pressing one key.
" " " "
VOICE
STYLE
SONG
DEMO
Two voice will sound
at the same time.
Eg. Piano
Eg. Cello
SUSTAIN
DUAL TOUCH PLAY

12
Voices and Effects
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
Press [+] / [-] button or numeric keypad to select your
desired voice. The default DUAL VOICE number is NO.50
Strings2.
Press [DUAL] button again to turn off the DUAL VOICE.
VOICE 2 will be disabled, the notes you play will return
to the single voice of VOICE 1.
Press [SUSTAIN] button to activate the sustain effect.
LCD lights the SUSTAIN flag. The keyboard will be played
with a sustain effect.
Press [SUSTAIN] button again to eliminate the sustain
effect. The SUSTAIN flag will disappear.
Default sustain is disabled accordingly.
NOTE:
split point on keyboard has dual voice.
In DUAL VOICE status, only section above
NOTE:
When you step on the sustain pedal, the
sustain effect will be stronger than the
effect produced by the [SUSTAIN] button.
Sustain
This function helps you to get a voice with a
sustained effect, while playing the keyboard.
Touch
This function allows you to turn on the dynamic
level while playing the keyboard.
Press [TOUCH] button to turn off the touch response
function. LCD will eliminate the TOUCH flag, it means
touch response is disabled.
Press [TOUCH] button again to turn on the touch
response effect. LCD lights up the TOUCH flag.
Default touch is activated.
To experience the effect, play any note on the keyboard
after you turn this function on.
1.
2.
3.
4.
SUSTAIN
SUSTAIN
SUSTAIN
SUSTAIN
DUAL
DUAL
DUAL
DUAL
TOUCH
TOUCH
TOUCH
TOUCH
PLAY
PLAY
PLAY
PLAY

13
Voices and Effects
Metronome
Piano
Pitch Bend Wheel
Press [METRO] button to enable to the metronome.
Press [METRO] button again to disable it.
Metronome could not be played in SONG/CHORD DICT
mode.
Press [PIANO] button to enter to the piano mode.
The LCD displays PIANO, and the voice changes
to piano immediately. In this mode, A.B.C. will be
disabled.
Press [PIANO] button again to exit the PIANO mode.
If any of the [FUNCTION] / [DEMO] / [VOICE] / [SONG] /
[STYLE] buttons has been pressed to recall the memory
the piano mode will be quit.
The PITCH BEND wheel can be used to bend the note
lower or higher, ranges between +/- 2 semitone.
When the wheel is released, the note will be return
back to the normal status.
NOTE:
Metronome can be played along with the tempo
as accompaniment whenever you turn on a
style.
Metronome could be played in the recording
mode, but it would not be recorded.
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
1.
METRO
PIANO
METRO
PIANO
higher
(+2)c ent
lower
(-2 )cent

Voices and Effects
Transpose
Octave
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
1.
Press [TRANSPOSE+] / [TRANSPOSE-]button to enter
TRANSPOSE sub-menu.The LCD displays the current
transpose value.
Use [TRANSPOSE+] / [TRANSPOSE-] to adjust the
transpose value from +6 to -6 semitones only for the
right area of the keyboard.
Press [TRANSPOSE+] and [TRANSPOSE-] together
to set the default value:00.
Press [OCTAVE+]/[OCTAVE-] button to enter OCTAVE
sub-menu.The LCD displays the octave value.
Use [OCTAVE+]/[OCTAVE-] to adjust the octave value
from +1 to -1 octaves only for the right area of the key-
board.
Press [OCTAVE+] and [OCTAVE-] together to set the
default value:00.
TRANSPOSE
OCTAVE
TRANSPOSE
OCTAVE
You can change the key of the entire keyboard
with the TRANSPOSE function by adjusting the
pitch in semitones steps.
14

Style Control
The keyboard has a total of 150 styles, from 01
to 150, including 10 piano styles.
Select a Style
1.
2.
3.
4.
Press the [STYLE] button to set the keyboard to the
style mode. The default STYLE 1 is NO:01;
LCD will display the STYLE flag and its number.
[+] and [-O] buttons:
Press [+] or [-] to choose your desired style.
The selected style number will be shown on the display.
The number buttons:
The number buttons can be pressed directly for selecting
the number of your desired style.
After selecting a style, you can start playing the
keyboard.
When a style is playing, you can select a new style at
any time. The number of the new style will be displayed
on the LCD immediately. If the style changes at beat
one, the new style will be played at once; if the style
changes at other beats, the new style will start in the
next measure. The new style will be playing with the
old tempo.
VOICE
STYLE
SONG
DEMO
15

Style Control
3. Sync Start
The default setting of A.B.C. is disable. Press [A.B.C.]
button to turn on this auto bass chord mode; the A.B.C.
flag on the LCD is lightened accordingly.
The left side of the split point is known as the chord
area. When playing the chord, both the bass and the
chord voices will be performed.
Press [SYNC] button to enter the sync start waiting
mode. The beats on the LCD flash together.
If the A.B.C. mode is on, play any key on the left section
of the keyboard and the style starts playing with the
bass and chord.
If the A.B.C. mode is off, play any key on the keyboard,
and the style plays only the drum voice.
2. A.B.C. mode
Start a Style
1. Start immediately:
Press [START/STOP] button to start the style, the
drum beats of the style will be played at once.
The beats will be shown on the LCD alternately.
SONG
SONG
SONG
STYLE
STYLE
STYLE
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
START/STOP
START/STOP
START/STOP
SYNC
SYNC
SYNC
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
FILL A
FILL A
FILL A
FILL B
FILL B
FILL B
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
Flash together
16

Style Control
Intro Start:
4.
Press [INTRO/ENDING] button when the style is not
playing, NOR or VAR flag will flash on the LCD,
indicating the intro section is ready to play. Length of
the intro varies in different styles.
Press [START/STOP] button, then the style starts with
an intro section, followed by the main section.
Flashing until button
is released
Press and
hold down
Fill A/ Fill B
1.
2.
3.
Press [FILL A] button to insert 1 or 2 measure fill and
LCD flashes 'NOR'. After one measure is over, NORMAL
style will be returned.
Press [FILL B] button to insert 1 ot 2 measure fill and
LCD flashes 'VAR', After one measure is over, VIRIATION
style will be returned.
Press and hold down the [FILL A] or [FILL B] button,
when the style is playing, the fill section will be played
repeatedly.
SONG
SONG
SONG
SONG
SONG
STYLE
STYLE
STYLE
STYLE
STYLE
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
START/STOP
START/STOP
START/STOP
START/STOP
START/STOP
SYNC
SYNC
SYNC
SYNC
SYNC
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
FILL A
FILL A
FILL A
FILL A
FILL A
FILL B
FILL B
FILL B
FILL B
FILL B
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
17

Style Control
Stop a Style
Tempo
Accomp Volume
Stop immediately
1.
The accompaniment can be stopped at any time by
pressing the [START/STOP] button.
Ending stop
2.
Press the [INTRO/ENDING] button to complete the style
with an ending section. The ending section will begin
from the start of the next measure.
Sync stop
3.
Press the [SYNC] button to stop playing the style;
the synchronized start mode will be activated.
Press the [TEMPO +] or [TEMPO - ] button to
change the tempo.
Press the [TEMPO +] and [TEMPO - ] button
simultaneously to set the tempo value back to its
default.
The keyboard will not change the default tempo of
the style even if you change the style when it is playing.
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
1.
SONG
SONG
SONG
STYLE
STYLE
STYLE
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
REPEAT A/B
START/STOP
START/STOP
START/STOP
SYNC
SYNC
SYNC
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
INTRO/ENDING
FILL A
FILL A
FILL A
FILL B
FILL B
FILL B
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
A.B.C.
TEMPO
ACCOMP
VOL
ACCOMP
VOL
TEMPO
Press [ACCOMP VOLUME+] / [ACCOMP VOLUME-]
button to enter ACCOMP VOLUME menu, the LCD
displays the ACCOMP volume value which ranges
between 0 and 31.(Default Accomp Value is 24.)
Use [ACCOMP VOLUME+]/[ACCOMP VOLUME-] to
adjust the ACCOMP volume value .
Press [ACCOMP VOLUME+] and [ACCOMP VOLUME-]
together will set the ACCOMP volume value to off.
18

Style Control
Chord Recognize
"A.B.C." is disabled during the default setting.
Press [A.B.C.] button to turn on this "auto bass chord"
function; the A.B.C. flag on the LCD is lightened. The
left section of the keyboard is known as the "chord area",
while playing the chord, both the bass and the chord
voices phonate.
There are 2 ways to detect a chord: "single finger detect" and "multi fingers
detect".
Single Finger Chords
If the chord played is based on "multi fingers detect", it is recognized as the "multi fingers chord".
If not, "single finger chord" will be recognized.
This method allows you to play chords easily within
the accompaniment range of the keyboard using
only one, two, or three fingers.
Examples of Single Finger Chord are "C, Cm, C7
and Cm7", shown as below:
To play a major chord
Press the root note of the chord
To play a minor chord
Press the root note together with the
nearest black key to the left of it .
To play a seventh chord
Press the root note together with the
nearest white key to the left of it .
To play a minor seventh chord
Press the root notes together with
the nearest white and black keys to
the left of it (three keys altogether) .
Multi Finger Chords
This method allows you to produce an accompa-
niment by playing chords with normal fingerings
within the accompaniment range of the keyboard.
To play Multi Chords ( Example for C chords)
A total of 16 chords are provided as below:
Notes enclosed in parentheses are optional;
the chords could be recognized without them.
NOTE:
When A.B.C. is on, press the keys on the left
of the split point. The chord will be recognized
as single finger chords.
NOTE:
Chord Root priority, some chords that could be pla-
yed under the Chord Dictionary may not be recogn-
ised by A.B.C. though, eg. B6、bB6、Baug、bBm6、
Bm6、bBdim7、Bdim7.
Since the chord detection of A.B.C. is based on the
SONG
STYLE
REPEAT A/B
START/STOP SYNC INTRO/ENDING FILL A FILL B A.B.C.
19

Style Control
Chord Basics
Reading Chord Names
Some Chord Types
Three or more notes played together constitute a "chord".
The most basic chord type is the "triad" consisting three notes:
the root, third, and fifth degrees of the corresponding scale.
A "C major triad", for example, is made up of the notes C (the root),
E(the third note of the C major scale),and G (the fifth note of the
C major scale).
In the C major triad shown as above, the lowest note is the " root" of the chord(this is the chord's "root
position"...using other chord notes for the lowest note results in "inversion"). The root is the central
sound of the chord, which supports and anchors other chord notes.
The distance(interval) between adjacent notes of triad in root position is either a major or minor third.
The lowest interval in our root-position triad (between the root and the third) determines whether the triad
is a major or minor chord, and we can shift the highest note up or down by a semitone to produce two
additional chords, as shown below.
The basic characteristics of the chord sound remain intact even if we change the order of the notes to create
different inversions. Successive chords in a chord progression can be smoothly connected, for example, by
choosing the appropriate inversions (or chord "voicings ").
Chord names tell you just about everything you need to know about
a chord (other than the inversion/voicing). The chord name tells you
what the root of a chord is, whether it is a major, minor, or diminished,
whether it requires a major or flatted seventh and what alterations
or tension does it use...all at a glance.
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