Lesson 7: Building Chords from the Major Scale

Building Chords from the Major Scale

Chords are the backbone of harmony in music. Understanding how chords are constructed from the major scale is essential for both composition and improvisation. In Lesson 6, we’ll delve into the world of chords and how they relate to the major scale.

Building Chords from the Major Scale:

• Chords are created by stacking intervals on top of one another using notes from the major scale.
• The quality of a chord (major, minor, diminished, etc.) is determined by the specific intervals between its notes.

Major and Minor Chords:

Major Chord: A major chord is built by taking the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the major scale. For example, in the key of C major, a C major chord is constructed using the notes C (1st), E (3rd), and G (5th).

Minor Chord: A minor chord is built by taking the 1st, ♭3rd, and 5th notes of the major scale. In the key of C major, a C minor chord is constructed using the notes C (1st), E♭ (♭3rd), and G (5th).

Playing Exercise:

• Play C major and C minor chords on your guitar.
• Analyze the notes within each chord, identifying the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes.
• Experiment with transitioning between the major and minor chords in the context of a chord progression.

Chord Progressions:

• Chord progressions are sequences of chords that form the basis of many songs.
• The major scale provides the chords necessary for creating chord progressions in a given key.

Homework:

• Memorize the C major and C minor chords and practice transitioning between them.
• Experiment with playing chord progressions using chords derived from the C major scale.
• Start exploring popular chord progressions in the key of C major, such as the I-IV-V progression (C major, F major, G major).

In the next lesson, we will apply your knowledge of intervals and chord construction to practical music exercises. You’ll begin composing simple melodies and chord progressions using the major scale. Understanding how chords are built from the major scale is a significant step towards becoming a proficient guitarist and musician. Keep practicing and enjoy your musical journey!