major scale
Lesson 3 – Chords
- Learn the diatonic chords of the major scale and build on your improvisational skills
Now we add another important tool; the seven diatonic chords that happen naturally in a major scale. Just like the diatonic modes, as we go up the steps of the major scale we can build a different chord on top of each note. Study and learn these chords. As you’ll learn in Part Two, they are the foundation of our music.
After learning the scale and it’s modes, chords are the most important thing. You have learned how a major scale has a set of modes. A major scale also has a set of chords. Whereas a scale or mode is built upon the degrees of the major scale’s notes going up step by step, chords are built using intervals of 3rds.
We build a chord on each tone of the scale by simply piling 3rds on top of each other. First we’ll use 3 note chords and then 4 note chords as shown below.
3 Note Chords
C
F
G
D
As you can see, these chords are all built on 3rds. Get a good handle on the normal 3 note chords above, then work on adding the 7th note as shown below in the 4 note chords:
The Seven Diatonic, Natural Chords of a Major Scale or Key:
4 Note Chords
C
F
G
D
