Learn chords and scales the easy way with Fender Play’s approach to guitar chords, scales and musical theory education.
To form a major chord, three distinct notes that are each spaced by one third are necessary. So for instance, to create a C major chord you would play the root, third, and fifth notes from the C Major Scale respectively.
Triads
As beginners guitarists, we will begin with some basic triad shapes. Triads are groups of three notes that form chords; for instance a C major triad would consist of C, E and G notes.
A major and minor triad can be distinguished by the interval between root and third notes; major triads sound complete and resolved while minor ones tend to sound less upbeat, sadder, and more melancholic.
Diminished triads consist of the same interval between root and third but with a flattened fifth note for increased dissonance. We can create augmented triads by adding two extra notes from minor scale, creating chords with very full sound reminiscent of power chords.
Major Scales
Major chords can typically be constructed using the pattern of whole and half steps found in the major scale, which comprises seven notes plus an octave note. Understanding this scale provides the basis for many other musical concepts like voicings, melodies and chord progressions.
When reading a scale diagram, remember that vertical lines represent strings while horizontal ones represent frets. A number inside of a black dot indicates where your finger should rest (1= index finger, 2= middle finger, 3= ring finger and 4= pinky finger).
Scale patterns are highly adaptable, meaning you can move them from string to string with relative ease. The key to successful scale patterns lies in always starting from the root note of your key; for instance, in F it would be beneficial to begin on note F as this will give all the right intervals needed to form other scale patterns.
Major Thirds
One of the primary distinctions between major and minor chords lies in their interval between first and second notes. In general (although this statement could easily be oversimplified), chords with major thirds tend to sound brighter and happier while those containing minor thirds tend to sound darker and melancholier.
Exact details depend on the interval, but C to D can be defined as a major third because two whole steps (on either a keyboard or staff) separate it from A to E which forms a minor third; similarly for perfect fifths.
Consider thinking of each note as consisting of semitones – that’s how guitar fretboard pitches are represented! Here are three visual representations: Western staff notation on the left; fretboard on the middle; and scale wheel from NYU MusEDLab on the right.
Minor Thirds
As the root note of a chord moves up the scale, it changes into a minor chord; conversely as it moves down it becomes a major chord.
Root notes of a major chord correspond to the first, third and fifth notes of its accompanying scale; for a minor chord this figure of speech changes; however it still contains all three major notes but in flattened form.
Intervals between basic chords are represented by H and W notations, which show where to jump up one half step (H), or down one whole step (W). A half step is equivalent to moving one key on a piano keyboard or fret on guitar neck by one position.
Barre chords offer another quick and effective way to play these basic major chords: simply barring your index finger across 5-6 strings simultaneously while leaving one open, as is often necessary when creating new sounds quickly. They work especially well when played through a capo.