Friend, Scales Steps Explained Even Further!

February 25th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
It's Easier to Learn Chords Using Scales Steps!
 
Dear Friend,
 
In my last email I explained to you how to use scale steps to build chords and create chord progressions.
 
Based on numerous responses, I realized that I'm going to have to "break it down" even further! 
 
Here it goes...
  •  All Major Scales have 7 scales steps
  •  You can express them by vocal syllables: DO RE MI FA SOL LA TI
  •  You can express them by numerals: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7
  •  You can express them using letter names: C  D  E  F  G  A  B
  •  You can express them as Roman Numerals: I  ii  ii  IV  V  vi  vii
Now Friend, review the letter names and COUNT from left to right!  Just look at the yellow-highlighted characters...
 
C is scale step one... just construct a chord, starting with C and play every other key on the piano, (C  D  E  F  G  A  G  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C) ... you've just constructed a C Major Chord)
 
So if you want to play an F Major chord... just count up to 4 and you land on the F.  Now play every other key... (C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C) 
 
Now if you want to build a chord on scale step V (5)... start counting from C!  And guess what, you'll end up at G! 
 
Therefore, if you're playing a song that progresses from a I to V (1 to 5), what chords would you play? 
 
Just look above at the chart... that's right.  It would a C Major chord and a G Major chord. 
 
90% of easy Rock, Gospel, Country and Blues are based on I - IV - V Chord Progressions.  Professional musicians refer to them as: "ice cream" changes, because they are so EASY!
 
The trick is learning the progressions in more than one key!
 
Here's the G major scale:  G  A  B  C  D  E  F# 
 
Remember, G Major has one sharp (#)... Black key! 
 
G Major Scale two octaves:  G  A  B  C  D  E  F# G  A  B  C  D  E  F#  G
 
PLEASE COUNT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT!
 
In this example in G Major, scale step I is G... scale step IV is C... and scale step V is D.
 
Remember, in Major Scale Theory, a chord built off of scale steps I, IV and V are ALWAYS Major.  In the Key G Major, scale step I is G... G Major is I, C Major is IV and D Major is V.
 
Just count... keyboard harmony is all about mathematical stacks!
 
Please refer to your e-book.  I've included a chart that illustrates this concept clearly.
 
Hey... this is how people play by ear! 
 
To your success,
 
Ron 

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