Hey Friend,
The G# minor triad is the next up in the key of C# minor. It takes its place as the Vm chord in the harmonic progression.
Im IIº III IVm Vm VI VII
C#m D#º E F#m G#m A B
Because the C# minor scale contains the notes to build any of the chords in the harmonic scale, it’s easy to see what notes we need for G#m.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (8)
C# D# E F# G# A B (C#)
Start with the G# note as the root of the chord. Then count over the next two notes from G#, which gives you B, and then two notes past B, which brings you to D# (remember, once you get up to G#, you start the scale over with an A note).
Of course, the real chord construction comes from its own scale (G#m), but the trick above is a quick alternative when you don’t want to write out all the scales of the chords you’re studying.
Here’s the G# minor scale:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (8)
G# A# B C# D# E F# (G#)
Only two lonely natural notes in the scale (B and E). However, you can see how the notes match when comparing between the G#m and C#m scales.
The exercise files are ready for you:
As you practice these chords, you should also play the scales I talk about and listen to how they sit within the chord. You’ll hear the ways chord and scale interact, and you’ll start to get a feel for how melodies and harmonies are written. You’ll also be building a foundation for more advanced playing and soloing.
Even though they feel like separate things, scales and chords work together to bring musical ideas alive. True, a scale doesn't make a song, if everything within a song sounded like a scale, we’d be pretty bored with music by now.
But before you can start moving notes around and experimenting, it helps to understand the basic scales and to know how they sound.
So do a little extra and try each of these scales as I list them. They will help you.
Peace~
Dave
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