Theory of Chords

Satriani

Right, this is some pretty fun stuff! First and foremost, I want to give a definition of what a scale is, and what a chord is.

Scale = A Sequence of intervals (Whole & Half Steps) going from any note to it's Octave (same note again). Sequence meaning a set pattern or set order

Chord = 3 or more notes played together taken from the Major Scale.

Lets start nice n easy.

Lets take our trusty C Major scale again. Remember I told you to give each scale degree a number from 1 - 8? Time to use it...

C D E F G A B C = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

When we take the 1 3 and 5 out of ANY Major scale, we get a Major Chord. So our formula for a Major chord is 1 3 5

Now when we take the 1 3 5 and we LOWER (flatten) the 3 (called a Flatted 3rd) we get a Minor Chord. Formula for a Minor chord is 1 b3 5

So what 3 notes make up a C Major Chord. Well to figure that out, we must know how to construct a C Major Scale. If you don't know how to do that, you have been cheating and not reading my earlier posts!

We take the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes out of our Major Scale, in this case thats C E and G and we get our TRIAD called C Major. A Triad is simply 3 notes taken from a scale to create the simplest form of a chord there is.

What is our C Minor Triad then? Well C = 1 E = 3 G = 5
We need to flatten our 3, so if you take G down a Half step, you get E flat or D Sharp (same thing)
Hence our C Minor Triad is C D# and G!

I hope that makes sense, it's pretty simple. If not ask me please.

Now just like using a formula to create scales, e use these formulas to create our chords. I will put down the most used and 'important' chord formulas here, and write down your Major Scale, and then write down the notes belonging to the chord you want to work out.

Major = 1 3 5
Minor = 1 b3 5
Sus2 = 1 2 5
Sus4 = 1 4 5
Diminished = 1 b3 b5
Augmented = 1 3 #5

Now some Extended Chords (chords with more than 3 different notes)0

Dominant 7th / 7th = 1 3 5 b7
Major 7th = 1 3 5 7
Minor 7th = 1 b3 5 b7

There are of course MANY more chords and formulas. I'm just giving you the basic ones to learn and master as a beginner. I will do another topic on more advanced chords soon ?

Renesongs

Again an excelent lesson - I almost missed this one I think you deserve a special section for your lessons - I mean you're busting your butt putting this stuff out there and it's slipping by the "too many posts to read here" filter 8)

Satriani

Lol funny u should mention that. As I'm typing, I wonder how many people are actually gonna realise that I'm putting these lessons up. I think Norio needs to make a Topic, then a SUB topic section under each topic, so I can just say MODES and then do each one. This way they don't flow.....

Riaan

Wow...so much to learn, so little time ? It would be great if all the lessons could be structured in some way, with something titled Idiots Start Here for guys like me...

Satriani

Perhaps Norio or Alan can suggest a way for me to do this on each subject?

Renesongs

What I have seen on other forums such as OLGA is Lessons categorised by author - It kind of makes sense because you find that some people just explain things more to your liking than others - my favourite was somebody called Judy Letostak

arjunmenon

Hey Satch,

As always, great lesson...however, i noticed that you mentioned a sus2 triad as notes 1,2 & 3. If i'm not mistaken, a sus2 triad consists of notes 1,2 & 5. Maybe it was a typo, 'cos i see you've got the sus4 spot on.
Thanks.

Cheers
Arjun

NorioDS

Hey guys ?

For now we'll have to keep this format but we have a cunning plan to start a content-based addon to this site where guys like Meir can post lessons and everyone can find them based on topic, author, and so on.

Bear with me, though, I still have a day job ?

Satriani

Arjun Menon wrote: i noticed that you mentioned a sus2 triad as notes 1,2 & 3. If i'm not mistaken, a sus2 triad consists of notes 1,2 & 5. Maybe it was a typo,
Thanks.

Thanks for spotting that for me. Yeah certainly a typo, was typing that in a hurry as usual!