From NeilFrom Joe
Hello Neil
I've been working my way through your beginner lessons on target and in the free section, and I've learned a lot from them. You've inspired me to start learning music theory, not just how to read music but also about scales/modes etc etc.
I've watched your videos on major 7th chords etc etc and have a question about chord construction. I've had a look through a few books I have, and they are as clear as mud:S .
Firstly, I understand that a major chord is made up of the root, 3rd and 5th notes of its major scale...A major being A,C# and E, my question is do I use the major scale to construct all my chords, or do I use minor scales for minor chords, augmented scales for augmented chords etc etc- if so which scales make up which chords, or have I got it all wrong, as I said, I'm reading a few of my chord books and it makes no sense!
I hope the question makes sense and either Neil or someone on the boards can help me.
Thanks very much.
Joe
Here is a case where I will have to muddy things up a bit in order to clarify. Both of your thoughts are correct. Having said that, the best way to think of chord formulas is that any numerical representation of notes refers to steps of the MAJOR scale. When we use numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 in regard to an A scale, they represent notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A. In the case of an A Major chord then, the formula 1-3-5 represents A-C#-E.
In order to represent a note outside the scale, we alter the number with a # or b sign. The formula for a minor chord then is 1-b3-5, where b3 stands for C natural. All chord formulas are based on this system where the numbers refer to notes in the MAJOR scale.
If that is perfectly clear, feel free to venture into the next paragraphs, if not keep reading until it is or proceed at your own risk. I'm reminded of the sign in the forest outside the witch's castle in the Wizard Of Oz, "I'd Turn Back If I Were You!"
Now to muck things up a little- Your second thought that minor chords are based on minor scales is also correct. The notes that make up a minor chord are 1-3-5 of the MINOR scale. You need to understand the differences between a major and minor scale and know that the 3rd is 1/2 step lower in a minor scale. Therefore, 3 in a minor scale is b3 in a major scale.
We could even expand this idea to include that diminished chords are 1-3-5 of a diminished scale and augmented chords are 1-3-5 of an augmented scale. This is true as well, assuming you accept the existence of such scales. Somehow I think the rest of this needs to be saved for a Sunday sermon...
SUMMARY- When using numbers to represent notes in a chord, each number stands for an exact step of the MAJOR scale. If a number is altered with a # or b, it represents a note outside the scale.
Neil