Chord Theory pt 3

Ok so last time we stacked learned tha stacking thirds on the root note of a major scale produces that chord, right? So what happens if we stack thirds on the other notes...do we get more major chords? The quick answer is no, we don't get major chords, but we do get chords. Remember, a chord is any three notes played together so inherently we must get some kind of chord by stacking thirds. The question is which ones...how do we know what to call them? And how is this information useful to us in the long run. All will be revealed if you can manage to read through this whole post!

First, let's go back to our old faithful C major scale and stack thirds on the 2nd which is D. Remember C major scale is C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. So thirds on the D would be D-F-A. To determine this chord name we'll have to look at the D major scale...because afterall every chord name is based on it's corresponding root note scale, right? Just nod and say "yes, Tim, of course we've memorized all of the information in these posts". Good. Ok so D major is D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D. And the notes in question are D-F-A, right? Hrmm...but F isn't a part of the D major scale. A D major would be D-F#-A. So what do we call an F in relation to the D major scale remembering that this scale can provide us with a degree name for D's relationship to every note in existance. Well, what we do when a note is below a note in the scale but not a part of the scale itself we add the prefix "minor" in front of the degree name. So F# is the third (3rd) in D major and so F is the minor 3rd. Make sense? Well that's just the way it is, ok? :) The name of the chord in question then is....you may have guessed D minor. Ta da! So lowering the third in any chord one half step creates the minor version of that same chord. Try it...pick up your guitar or sit at the piano...now make any chord....and now make the same minor (Try E and Em if nothing else comes to mind). Notice how closely related the fingerings are? There is only one note different...the third.

I won't make this obscenely long by doing this for every chord but if you follow this and look into each note in each chord the chords you get based on C major are C-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-Bdim(a very jazzy chord that we can save explaining later). These 7 chords make up the key of C and the pattern is always the same. That is just the same a wwhwwwh is a "rule" so is maj-min-min-maj-maj-min-dim. So other than cool info and an explaination of what a minor chord is you've also got a really valuable piece of information that comes in handy when you're trying to learn songs by ear. If you can establish somehow what key you're working in and you're having a hard time with a certain section, stop, figure out what chords could be possible culprits and just try them. It's not always that easy since sometimes the rules get broken or sneaky dom7th chords mess with you but in general the knowledge is really helpful.

Whew...what a value for your dollar! Tell your friends about the deals over at Unceasing Worship and come back next time for our blockbuster deal: Buy three notes and get the fourth for free or the what the heck do I call a chord with more than 4 notes event!