Today I'd like to tell you just how much you can do with a
small amount of knowledge. By understanding a few concepts
of the regular major scale, you can literally use that
information to compose your own music including chord
progressions and lead playing!
Let's dig in.
First, you need to understand the "backbone" of ANY regular
major scale.
That "backbone" is this:
Musical notes are separated by what's called a "half-step".
Each fret on your guitar represents a half-step away from the
fret above or below it. Two adjacent half-steps are referred
to as a whole-step. (two adjacent frets on your guitar)
So here's the "backbone" of any regular major scale. I'll use
C for this example.
1. Between the first and second note, there's a WHOLE-STEP
(C to D)
2. Between the second and third note,
there's a WHOLE-STEP
(D to E)
3. Between the third and fourth note,
there's a HALF-STEP
(E to F)
4. Between the fourth and fifth note,
there's a WHOLE-STEP
(F to G)
5. Between the fifth and sixth note, there's
a WHOLE-STEP
(G to A)
6. Between the sixth and seventh note,
there's a WHOLE-STEP
(A to B)
7. Between the seventh and octave first
note, there's a HALF-STEP
(B to C)
So, to know the notes of any major scale, you just start with
the note of your choice and apply the steps.
That is; WHOLE-STEP, WHOLE-STEP, HALF-STEP, WHOLE-STEP, WHOLE-STEP, WHOLE-STEP, HALF-STEP
For more on this, check out modaltheory.
Remember: In music, the steps between B & C and E & F are
always half-steps.
Now let's take a look at those seven notes and the positions
they're in. Those positions have names and characteristics
in relationship to the chords that go with the scale.
The 1st position is called the Tonic and it's chord
characteristic is Major. In this case, C major.
The 2nd position is called the Supertonic and it's chord
characteristic is minor. In this case, D minor.
The 3rd position is called the Mediant and it's chord
characteristic is minor. In this case, E minor.
The 4th position is called the Subdominant and it's chord
characteristic is Major. In this case, F major.
The 5th position is called the Dominant and it's chord
characteristic is Major. In this case, G major.
The 6th position is called the Submediant and it's chord
characteristic is minor. In this case, A minor.
The 7th position is called the Subtonic and it's chord
characteristic is diminished. In this case, B diminished.
Now look what we know! We know all of the notes in the scale
(or key) AND the fundamental chords that go with it! Hey,
that's all you need to get going. Chords for rhythm and
notes for lead playing! And...you know what?...as long as
you play only these notes and chords, you'll never play
anything wrong!
So check this out. Let's play some music with the above
information. I'm choosing Dm, Em, G and C as my chord
progression and recording it. I'm not playing any particular
rhythm, just changing chords when I feel like it.
Now, I'm playing back my rhythm and soloing with the regular
C major scale that we spelled out earlier. Sounds just fine!
Incidentally, here's the tablature for the C major scale
that I was playing.
Need help reading tablature?
C Major Scale
Tablature
E --------------------------------7-8-10-------
B ---------------------------8-10--------------
G --------------------7-9-10-------------------
D -------------7-9-10--------------------------
A ------7-8-10---------------------------------
E -8-10----------------------------------------
C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D
So, here's a little homework.
Spell out the following regular major scales and name the
chords that go with them:
1. A Major Scale
2. F# Major Scale
3. Gb Major Scale
Memorize and comprehend what I've explained today and you'll
be able to write songs as well as improvise. Now...what was
that old saying...? Oh yeah...
Knowledge Is Power!
(The
answers to the questions are here)
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