Sridhar Seetharaman's  

Chord Tutorial

 

Lesson 1 : Grasping the Major Scale

 

 At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  

Before we jump into chords, let us understand the most popular scales used in western music, I would say, popular music, called the diatonic scale.

 The scale is a set of notes related to each other. We know that we have 12 notes in the western music, i.e,

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

C C# D# E F F# G G# A A# B C

 

There are two types of diatonic scales, we can form from these notes. One is called the major scale and other the minor scale. A major scale is formed with seven notes, each getting a distinct name, i.e, no two notes will get the same name. This means that there can never be a two Cs in a given scale.

 

 Forming the C major scale

 

Well, first let us understand how to form a major scale. A scale formed with all the white keys in a keyboard happens to be C major scale.

Here is how the C Major scale sounds.

Let us find out what is the relationship between these notes in terms of distance between them. The lowest interval in music, as far as the diatonic scale is concerned, is the half step. A half step takes you to the next note. For e.g, a half step from C is C#. A half step from E is F. It is evident from the keyboard.

C D E F G A B

 Now let us find the intervals.

 

C - > D = 1 step [C to C# & C# to D]

D - > E = 1 step [D to D# and D# to E]

E - > F = 1/2 step [E to F]

F - > G = 1 step [F to F# and F# to G]

G - > A = 1 step [G to G# and G# to A] 

A - > B = 1 step [A to A# and A# to B] 

B - > C = 1/2 step [B to C] (C in next octave)

 

 Now we can apply this interval formula starting from any note and we will arrive at a major scale based on that note. Above, we have a major scale of C.

 Exercise 1. Form the scale of G major.

 Exercise 2. Form the scales for G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#.

Please proceed in the same order as I have given you. This will make you understand that there is a progression between these when you proceed this way.

This exercise is called scale practice and forms the basis for understanding harmony. To get maximum benefit, please complete the exercises before you proceed.

 

Forming the F Major Scale

 As an example, let us apply this formula starting with "F". I have a reason why I jumped to "F".

  F - > G = 1 step

G - > A = 1 step

A - > A# = 1/2 step

A# - > C = 1 step

C - > D = 1 step

D - > E = 1 step

E - > F = 1/2 step

 

And, here is how F major scale sounds.

What are enharmonic notes?

 Is the above right ? Looks o.k based on the intervals, but it is not abiding by one of our rules:

The major scale is formed with seven notes, each getting a distinct name.

which means, no two notes will get the same name.

We realize that there are two notes which are referred by the name "A". One is a natural note and another is a sharp note.

 How do we satisfy the above rule ? Well , we know that we have not used one letter, which is "B". But we know that the note we have included is not a natural B. But the note we need is half step below "B". The same note is known as A# and Bb.

These are known as "enharmonic" notes, i.e this note could also be called as .... "Bb" or B flat. Now we satisfy the rules. Well, have you ever heard of "B#" ? Well, it is the enharmonic of "C".

Similarly,

Well, so much for the enharmonic , let us rewrite the F major scale.

 

F - > G = 1 step 

G - > A = 1 step 

A - > Bb = 1/2 step 

Bb - > C = 1 step 

C - > D = 1 step 

D - > E = 1 step 

E - > F = 1/2 step

 

 Exercise 3. Figure out the scales for Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb.

 As usual, proceed in the same order and see if you find an interesting pattern!

Done?

Congrats!

 

 Well, here stops the tutorial lesson one. It is extremely important to know the scales by heart before we move to the chords. Once the scales are familiar, you will find chords very easy to pick up.

Before we close, here is an interesting thing. At the end of the exercises, you might have found an easier way to remember what notes are included in each scale. Did you?

If you do not figure it out, it is o.k. We will figure out together in next lesson.

 And we will see the minor scale and its relationship with major scale.

 

- Sridhar.