Guitar Lesson -- Understanding Keys Part 3
Basic chords are constructed in 3rds
Basic chords are constructed in 3rds. But the C chord C-E-G is considered to be a major chord, and the Dm D-F-A is a minor chord. Both chords are indeed constructed in 3rds, but what's the difference? The answer lies in the TYPE of 3rd used and its location in the chord. We will start by taking a look at the chromatic scale:
A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A
Remember that the distance between each note is 1/2 step.
Now let's look at the C major scale that we constructed in part 2 of this series:
C D E F G A B C
The interval, or distance between C and E is a 3rd, and the interval between E and G is a also a 3rd. But if you look at the chromatic scale,you will see that the total number of half-steps between C and E is 4,and the total number of half-steps between E and G is 3. They are both 3rds, but if a 3rd contains 4 half-steps it is considered to be a major 3rd. If a 3rd contains only 3 half-steps, it is considered to be what's called a minor 3rd. A major chord by definition is a major 3rd + minor 3rd. (M3 +m3):
C...E...G
.M3..m3
The definition of a minor chord is a minor 3rd (m3) + major 3rd (M3)
D...F...A
.m3..M3
So, if we want to find out the basic chords in key, we will find that:
(Roman numerals are the convention used here.)
The I chord in a major key is always major
The ii chord in a major key is always minor
The iii chord is a major key is always minor
The IV chord in a major key is always major
The V chord in a major key is always major
The vi chord is a major key is always minor
The vii chord? - We won't discuss it here because you will almost never see it in popular music, and it is a special chord. In the key of C, the vii chord B-D-F is a m3 + m3 - neither major nor minor - kind of a minor b5. Like I said, we don't want to to go there.
So, for example, in the key of A:
A B C# D E F# G# A
The basic chords are A, Bm, C#m, D, E, and F#m
Does this mean that if a song is in the key of A, these will be the only chords that you hear? No. Absolutely not. You will frequently hear other chords that are considered to be "outside the key". However, you have to start somewhere, and there are tons of songs that actually do "sit inside the key". What this means for you is this:
If you know your keys, and the basic chords in each key, when you hear a recorded song and you determine which key it is actually in, your chances are excellent that you will be able to find most, if not all, the chords in that song. Usually, the first chord of a pop song will define the key. If it's not the first chord, it will almost always be the second chord that you hear.
Once you get used to hearing basic chord progressions in individual keys, and you have your keys memorized, or at least know how to construct them, you will start to be able to "pull" the chords off of a recording without having to buy the sheet music, or rely on getting the chords via the internet - where often enough times the chords are wrong. It's a very good skill to have.
by: James Emery Vigh
Guitar Lesson -- Understanding Keys Part 4 Learn To Play Lead Guitar On Your Iphone Guitar Lesson -- Understanding Keys Part 5 Guide To Playing Better Guitar Solos Epiphone Bass - A Classic Bass Guitar Children's Musical Performance Promotes Outstanding Performance in Other Areas Guitartricks Learning To Play A Guitar Requires Practice Self Teach Guitar - Is It Really Possible? Mp3 Meta Tag Editor - This is the Fastest Way to Organize Your Music Tags Piano Keyboard player who can play Jazz, Rock, Pop - Get work now The Nature Of Musical Pleasure Shop Online For Music Supplies