Watch this video to apply your knowledge of the C scale to learn three common chords used in the key of C
From the previous lessons, you have learned how to play a C major scale in the first position on the guitar neck.
You have learned the names of the notes on the C scale.
You have learned how to locate the notes of the C scale on the guitar neck by memory, without using the GuitarMore string and fret numbering system.
The C scale is also known as a diatonic scale. (More about that later in a later lesson).
Each note in the diatonic scale is called a degree. (“What is a diatonic scale” will be discussed in a later lesson).
The conventional method that musicians use to name each degree of the scale is by using Roman numerals as shown in Figure 1.
The use of Roman numerals for naming the degrees of the scale is a good shorthand method for musicians to communicate the musical structure of a musical composition to other musicians when transposing from one musical key to another or decribing the chord progression or mode (more about modes in a later lesson) in which a particular musical composition is written.
Figure 1: Degrees of the Diatonic C scale in the key of C: (the numbers in Roman numerals)
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
C D E F G A B C
The lessons thus far have focused on single note playing, which is what a lead guitarist generally plays.
This lesson transitions your playing skills from from single note playing to chord playing.
Chords are what a rythym guitarist generally plays.
Some musical styles incorporate the playing of both the melody and the chords by one guitarist, such as in chord solos.
What is a major chord?
A major chord is most commonly played by striking 3 or more notes on the guitar simultaneously.
More specifically, the most basic major chord is played by simultaneously striking the first, third and fifth notes of the scale.
The three notes are also known as a major triad.
Learning to play your first four chords:
Learn the correct finger locations shown in the following figures 2-5 for the C, F, G and G7 chords.
Firmly place each finger required to form the chord slightly behind the fret (towards the nut side of the fret) until a clear note is sounded when picking the note.
Practice strumming the chords to a steady rythym, with the goal being able to change the finger position from one chord to the next and keeping in the beat or rythym of the music.
Your left hand finger tips may be a little sore at first from pushing down on the strings.
With time and regular practice, you will develop calluses on your finger tips which should allow your to play for extended periods of time without soreness in your fingertips.
What is a I, IV, V chord progression?
A I, IV, V chord progression is one of the most commonly used chord progressions played by musicians.
It is also one of the most comonly recognized chord progressions when heard by non-musician listeners of music.
The non- musician music listener, even though not understanding the music theory behind the I, IV, V chord progression, hears the natural sound of the I, IV, V chord progression and it’s pleasing sound to the ear.
The I, IV and V chords sound good as a chord progression because they are obtained from the three most important notes (or degrees) in the scale:
The Tonic:
The first note in the scale is known as the tonic note.
The chord is named using the first note, or root note of the chord. It is the “root” note of the chord and gives the chord it’s main sound.
The Subdominant:
The fourth note in the C scale, which is the F note is the third most important in the C scale.
The Dominant:
The fifth note in the scale, which is the g scale in the C scale.
Figure 2:
The C Chord:
Figure 3:
The F Chord
Figure 4:
The G Chord:
Figure 5:
The G7 Chord:
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