1. Topics of discussion
In this one, we're gonna take a look at how chords are built and what chords are part of major scales and minor scales. So, get on the square and on the level, and let's go.
2. Understanding thirds
In music, a
third is a musical interval comprised of
3 different notes. Musical Intervals are of course measured between two distinct notes but in order for that interval to be a third, the total number of notes, including the two, must be 3. So in essence, we have the starting note, one in the middle, and the end note.
Musical intervals are usually measured between notes from a major or minor scale and thirds are no different. We have two types of thirds:
- major thirds - which occur when the first and second notes are separated by 1 step (or 2 frets on your guitar) and the second and third notes are also separated by 1 step (also 2 frets on your guitar); such an example is C-E, because C-D is one tone and D-E is another tone.
- minor thirds - which occur when the first and second notes are separated by 1 step (or 2 frets on your guitar) and the second and third notes are separated by 1 half-step (1 fret); such an example is D-F, because D-E is one tone and E-F is a half-step; the tonal distances can be swapped (i.e. E-G is still a minor third, with E-F being the first 2 notes, which are separated by 1 half-step)
3. Triads and basic chords
In music, a
triad is obtained by playing
3 notes at the same time. Now these notes can be any notes, but in our case, we are interested in 4 particular types:
- major triads - formed by playing 3 notes, the first 2 forming a major third and the second two forming a minor third; one such example is C-E-G
- minor triads - formed by playing 3 notes, the first 2 forming a minor third and the second two forming a major third; one such example is D-F-A
- augmented triads - formed by playing 3 notes, the first 2 forming a major third and the second two also forming a major third; one such example is C-E-G#
- diminished triads - formed by playing 3 notes, the first 2 forming a minor third and the second two also forming a minor third; one such example is B-D-F
What does this have to do with anything you ask? Well, in order to play a
basic chord (i.e. major, minor, augmented, or diminished), it's enough to play the corresponding triad formed on the note.
Of course, when it comes to guitar, the triad is not always present. For example, in the D major chord, which can be played as D-F#-A, The A, while being present, is in a lower octave than F#.
4. Chords of a scale
Major scales have 7 different notes, and therefore, each major scale has a total number of 7 different chords. The minor scale functions in a similar manner.
But what chords are part of the major scale? Well, the answer is simple. If we are to take a look at what type of triad can be on each note of a major scale, then that will give us the corresponding chord type. Let's visualize this for the C major scale:
| I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii |
Note | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
Triad | C-E-G | D-F-A | E-G-B | F-A-C | G-B-E | A-C-E | B-D-F |
Chord/triad type | maj | min | min | maj | maj | min | dim |
See the correspondence between triad type and chord type? The triad type also gives you the chord type.
Let's now play all the chords of the C major scale:
E|---0---1---0---1---3---0------|
B|---1---3---0---1---3---1--3---|
G|---0---2---0---2---0---2--4---|
D|---2---0---2---3---0---2--3---|
A|---3-------2---3---2---0--2---|
E|-----------0---1---3----------|
For minor chords, the chord types are the same, just in a different order. Let's take a look at the chords of the A minor scale:
| i | ii | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
Note | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
Triad | A-C-E | B-D-F | C-E-G | D-F-A | E-G-B | F-A-C | G-B-E |
Chord/triad type | min | dim | maj | min | min | maj | maj |
That about covers it for this one.
Aswell as learning from everyone on the forums!
