Chords are the basis of any song; string enough together and you have an entire verse!
Typically, musicians don’t limit themselves to using only chords from one major scale but use chords from multiple scales for added interest and drama. This creates interesting rhythms as well.
As it can be challenging to identify what exactly makes up a chord on the guitar, piano can often provide more visual clues as to its structure.
Major Triad
Major triads are used in most chord progressions, so it’s advisable to become acquainted with them thoroughly. Once familiarized, playing them by ear becomes much simpler, enabling you to compose your own harmonic progressions that resonate well with you.
Triads contain intervals that fall outside the scale you’re working in and may add tension to your progressions, yet can still be utilized if their harmonic logic or prosody of a chord progression calls for it.
The most familiar triad form consists of a root note and third note spaced three intervals apart. This serves as the basis of many chords you may already know and practice, such as open position C, G and D chords. Once familiar with these triad forms, experiment by moving them up and down fretboard as you experiment with sound quality; you will quickly realize they’re flexible shapes similar to block chords you are familiar with, making basslines possible to create intricate rhythmic patterns with these movable shapes.
Minor Triad
Minor chords have the power to stir both sad and happy emotions when played, and it is important to recognize that not the minor triad shape itself but the notes within its composition that create these reactions.
Both major and minor chords contain the same basic triad structure; their only difference lies in the quality of interval between root and third. A minor triad features an altered fifth between them for greater dissonance; for a major one it typically uses perfect fifth intervals between them instead.
To create a minor triad, draw the root chord on the staff, followed by three and five notes which are three thirds and five fifths above it (mimicking drawing a snowperson). Don’t forget any key signature accidentals that might be needed; typically the root note name and then chord name names should be written on them; practice these shapes often until you can recognize them by ear.
Major Scale
A major scale is one of the most fundamental scales to know for any guitarist, as it serves as the basis of numerous other musical theory concepts including chord progressions and improvisation. Furthermore, its knowledge provides insight into creating various guitar chords.
Chords used in songs tend to follow specific keys. If a song is in C, for instance, major chords will likely be employed while D will more than likely feature minor ones; as most modern popular music doesn’t shift keys but uses chords from an expanded scale instead.
To effectively learn scales, it is beneficial to practice closed position fingerings. This will allow you to form compact shapes on the fretboard that are easier to execute string bends with. Once you have achieved success with these compact forms, try shifting them up or down fretboard in different positions until they become second nature.
Minor Scale
Small variations in the order of whole and half steps can have a big effect on the sound of a minor scale. For instance, switching out one chord for another would result in 2maj rather than 2mi chords being formed initially.
There are three main kinds of minor scales, natural, harmonic and melodic. Each offers its own distinctive sound; natural is most often used with lower range notes but maintaining the original major key of its inspiration scale.
Smile Meditation’s IV and V chord progression stands out as much darker compared to that of C major, thanks to one simple change that makes a noticeable impactful statement about life and love. On the other hand, other two minor scales offer greater nuance: harmonic minor raises its seventh note with every ascending/descending cycle while melodic minor adds one lower tone in every pattern.