In C major, the B is a diminished chord. You can read the above replies for an explanation. There is also another language, which was not written above. It’s a little harder at first, but you might run into it at sometime. So it is good to have a common knowledge of it. It’s the music language written in formulas, which can be extremely helpful when it comes to building chords.

C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Here’s the Major scale formula: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Each number in the formula also signifies a different letter note, in ascending fashion. In the key of C: C equals 1, D equals 2, and so on. The number 1 always signifies the root! How here’s how the formula works. Take what Griphon and Zeppelin said about intervallic distance between notes.

Intervallic steps between notes in the major scale: (1,1,1/2,1,1,1,1/2)
Now check out the major key formula: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Now put them together: (bold or regular = numbers in formula, italic = steps to next number in formula)

1-(1 step)-2-(1 step)-3-(1/2 step)-4-(1 step)-5-(1 step)-6-(1 step)-7-(1/2 step)-8 (also the root)... then it goes on and on. You can easily fill in the rest if needed.

Now when it comes to Chords, it is the same formula. It works with both chords, and scales. Almost like a universal language, but it’s written mostly for understanding chords. 1 still equals the root of the chord.

You have probably seen this all before, but maybe not as a formula. Most sites use letters to signify the notes. Either way is correct, but sometimes you may see this. So it’s good to know it also, if you didn’t know it before.

Now for a major chord.
Major chord formula: 1, 3, 5
Major chord letters: C, E, G
Intervallic distance: C to E equals 2 steps, E to G equals 1 and 1/2 steps.

Now a minor chord. It’s a little bit different, to make a minor chord the 3rd step needs to be a step down. So you would write it as a flat in the formula. Just like you do with any other type of written music.
Minor scale formula: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
C minor scale: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb
Minor chord formula: 1, b3, 5.
Minor chord letters: C, Eb, A
Intervallic distance: C to Eb equals 1 and 1/2 steps, Eb to C equals 2 steps.

This works the same through all the chords and scales.

Here’s some of the other chords and there formulas:
Augmented Chords: 1, 3, #5
Diminished: 1, b3, b5
Dominant Seventh: 1, 3, 5, b7
Major Seventh: 1, 3, 5, 7
Minor Seventh: 1, b3, 5, b7

There are others, if you want a list just let me know. I tried to explain it the best I could, hopefully I didn’t confuse anyone. Although formula representation is alittle more advanced, it is easier when it comes to writting extended chords, like Cmaj6, and so on. Later.

[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-10-2003 at 07:28 PM]