Hey Friend,
Okay, it’s been a few days since we talked about intervals and scales and such. Let’s circle back and talk about how major chords use the intervals.
When you want to construct a major triad (chord), you need to first determine what the notes in the scale will be.
Since the name of the chord is determined by the key and root (tonic) note of the scale, you already know what the 1 note of the triad is going to be. One down, two to go.
You already know the formula for building a major chord - start with the major scale and pull out the 1 3 5 notes. Put them in a blender and crank it up. Voila, major chord!
Now if we look at the chord from a little different angle, the 1 3 5 also specifies intervals within the scale:
1 = perfect unison (tonic).
3 = major third interval, which is two whole steps (or four half steps) up from the tonic.
5 = perfect fifth, which is three whole steps and a half step above the root note (tonic).
Let’s draw this out, using a C major chord.The notes we want to use are C, E and G.
The C major scale is:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (8)
C D E F G A B (C)
And it follows the pattern for a major scale when determining the notes in the scale:
W W H W W W H
Remembering that a “w” means a two fret move and an “h” is only one fret, I can prove out the two intervals that make the major chord.
1 3 5
C - w - D - w - E - h - F - w - G - w - A - w - B - h - (C)
(C#) (D#) (F#) (G#) (A#)
Here’s the major third interval shown a little differently:
The interval: 1 2m 2 3m 3
The note: C C# D D# E
Spaces: 1 2 3 4 (each one indicates moving up the neck one fret)
Steps: W W
Does that help you visualize it a bit better? I hope so.
The bell is tolling - I have to go get ready for the j.o.b. Have the best Monday possible...
Peace~
Dave
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