Post by debert on Aug 17, 2012 15:10:28 GMT -5
The Circle of 5ths is very valuable in demonstrating the relationship between chords and keys. It can also be useful when learning scales. But first, we must understand the MAJOR SCALE and what it produces, such as chords, intervals and what is referred to as a KEY of MUSIC.
You may have heard a musician ask, "What key is that in?". Understanding what is being asked for is an important piece to understanding and playing music. But first, let's talk about steps and half steps.
A half step is always one note away including the black keys. A whole step is always two half steps, or two notes away.
In the following formulas, 2 is always a whole step and 1 is always a half step. 4 would be two whole steps(4 half steps), 3 would be one step and a half(3 half steps), 7 would be three and a half steps away, etc. 0 stands for the ROOT or starting note of the chord or interval that you are using.
When building chords, formulas look like this:
Major Chord 0-4-3
Minor Chord 0-3-4
Therefore, based on the above formula, if you wanted to play the C Major Chord, the ROOT would be C, the next note of the chord would be two steps or 4 half steps up from C, which would be E, and the third note of the chord would be a whole step and a half, or 3 half steps up from E, which would be G. C Major would then be C-E-G. E is 4 half steps (or two whole steps) above C, and G is 3 half steps (or one step and a half step) above E.
__________________________
OTHER CHORDS with examples of C
as the ROOT or 0 note:
Diminished 0-3-3 C-Eb-Gb
Diminished 7th 0-3-3-3 C-Eb-Gb-A
Half diminished 0-3-3-4 C-Eb-Gb-Bb
Dominant 7th 0-4-3-3 C-E-G-Bb
Minor 7th 0-3-4-3 C-Eb-G-Bb
Major 7th 0-4-3-4 C-E-G-B
4th Sustained 0-5-2 C-F-G
2nd Sustained 0-2-5 C-D-G
Major 6th 0-4-3-2 C-E-G-A
Minor 6th 0-3-4-2 C-Eb-G-A
4th chord 0-5-5 C-F-Bb
7th sustained 0-5-2-3 C-F-G-Bb
9th 0-4-3-3-4 C-E-G-Bb-D
Major 9th 0-4-3-4-3 C-E-G-B-D
INTERVALS are most important when learning the relationship of notes to the ROOT or starting point. For instance, if C is our starting point, there are 12 half steps to the next C up the keyboard. Each half step represents a certain interval, which we will identify further below.
First, let's identify each number of half steps up the keyboard.
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
At first glance, you might think that each interval is simply represented by its number above, but such is not the case. The intervals are named in a different manner than just their half step number from the root. They are named in relation to what will be called their Major Scale Position
Here are the half and whole steps that make up any major scale:
Major Scale 0-2-2-1-2-2-2-1
With C as the starting point(ROOT) or 0, the scale would then run as follows:
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Here's why:
With C as zero, the formula above has 2 next, which is a whole step up from C. That becomes D. Next we have another 2, which is another whole step, and becomes E. Then a 1 for a half step which becomes F, and so on through the formula.
One way that a person can recognize a Major Scale is that when played in succession it present that DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-LA-TI-DO scale. This happens no matter what note you start on as the ROOT, or 0 position.
Here are some other examples:
A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A
G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G
F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F
No matter what note you start on as 0, if you follow the given formula, it will always present the DO-RE-MI scale. It will simply vary by presenting it as a lower or higher pitched scale than the one in C.
Now, As can be seen, the MAJOR SCALE only employs 8 notes from the ROOT. There are therefore 8 positions in a MAJOR SCALE. (Later we will learn about intervals higher than the first eight, but only eight intervals are needed to establish the DO-RE-MI scale, or as it is most commonly referred to, the MAJOR SCALE)
This feature will become very important for later reference, so learn well the MAJOR SCALES starting on different notes and see how no matter where you start, if you follow the formula, it will sound like the DO_RE_MI scale.
Initially, some of the more common MAJOR SCALES that we will encounter are the G MAJOR SCALE, the F MAJOR SCALE and the C MAJOR SCALE. So familiarize yourself with these three scales to start with.
So again, here are the intervals from the ROOT C, but this time, the actual intervals that present the true C MAJOR SCALE will be highlighted. You will see that some intervals are skipped when creating a DO_RE_MI scale.
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
Then, if we remove the unused intervals, we have the pure C MAJOR SCALE:
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Most all musicians will refer to INTERVALS in their relationship to the MAJOR SCALE. Therefore the the intervals are named as follows.
C of course is the ROOT, or the first position of the C MAJOR SCALE.
D is called the interval of the 2cnd, since it is the second note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
E is called the interval of the 3rd, since it is the third note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
F is called the interval of the 4rth, since it is the fourth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
G is called the interval of the 5th, since it is the fifth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
A is called the interval of the 6th, since it is the sixth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
B is called the interval of the 7th, since it is the seventh note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
The C (next C above the ROOT) is called the OCTAVE, since it is the eighth note above the ROOT and has the same letter name as the ROOT
Do not confuse these positions of the major scale with counting steps and half steps. They are not the same thing as steps and half steps. They are SCALE POSITIONS based upon the DO-RE-MI scale. Although they can be figured out by counting half steps, as in the above formula, their corresponding number to the SCALE POSITION will not match the half step formula for the scale.
For instance:
4 half steps is not a 4rth it is 3rd, because 4 half steps takes us to E in the CMAJOR SCALE, and E is the THIRD POSITION of that scale, not the FOURTH.
Be sure to be able to distinguish between the two counting systems or you can become confused.
As far as the unused notes between the SCALE POSITIONS, they also have names, but are again named in relation to the steps of the MAJOR SCALE, not in relation to their half steps.
Let's look at this again:
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
AS mentioned, the highlighted positions make up the MAJOR SCALE, and have the following names to their intervals.
ROOT or 1st=C
2cnd= D
3rd = E
4th= F
5th= G
6th= A
7th= B
OCTAVE=C
However, all 12 intervals are called as follows. (Again the MAJOR SCALE intervals will be highligjhted since they determine the DO-RE-MI scale or the "KEY' of music that you are playing in.)-- (more on that later)
C= ROOT
C#= minor 2cnd
D= 2cnd-also called major 2cnd
D#= minor 3rd
E= 3rd-also called major third
F=4rth
F#=diminished 5th-or flatted 5th
G= 5th
G#= minor 6th
A= 6th-or major 6th
A#=minor 7th (also called the dominant seventh)
B=7th-often called major 7th to distinguish it from the dominant 7th
C= OCTAVE
It will be important to continue to practice and understand the intervals as they will be of grteat assistance when learning CHORDS and other SCALES besides the MAJOR SCALE.
MEMO: Notes create Scales, Scales create Intervals and identify what KEY you are plaing in. Intervals create chords.
What is a KEY of music?
A KEY of music is the MAJOR SCALE that you are highlighting in the song that is being played.
For instance, the C MAJOR SCALE is called the KEY of C.
The F MAJOR SCALE is called the key of F
The G MAJOR SCALE is called the KEY of G
and so on.
So the MAJOR SCALE that you are using establishes the KEY in which you are playing.
Note: Don't confuse the key of a piano with the KEY OF MUSIC you are in. In realtion to the piano, the thing that you push down is called a key, but has nothing to do with the KEY OF MUSIC you are playing in. It's simply the name of the lever that you use to strike the note. It is better to refer to those "keys" on the piano as "notes" rather than "keys" to prevent any more confusion than necessary.
More to come,
Dan
You may have heard a musician ask, "What key is that in?". Understanding what is being asked for is an important piece to understanding and playing music. But first, let's talk about steps and half steps.
A half step is always one note away including the black keys. A whole step is always two half steps, or two notes away.
In the following formulas, 2 is always a whole step and 1 is always a half step. 4 would be two whole steps(4 half steps), 3 would be one step and a half(3 half steps), 7 would be three and a half steps away, etc. 0 stands for the ROOT or starting note of the chord or interval that you are using.
When building chords, formulas look like this:
Major Chord 0-4-3
Minor Chord 0-3-4
Therefore, based on the above formula, if you wanted to play the C Major Chord, the ROOT would be C, the next note of the chord would be two steps or 4 half steps up from C, which would be E, and the third note of the chord would be a whole step and a half, or 3 half steps up from E, which would be G. C Major would then be C-E-G. E is 4 half steps (or two whole steps) above C, and G is 3 half steps (or one step and a half step) above E.
__________________________
OTHER CHORDS with examples of C
as the ROOT or 0 note:
Diminished 0-3-3 C-Eb-Gb
Diminished 7th 0-3-3-3 C-Eb-Gb-A
Half diminished 0-3-3-4 C-Eb-Gb-Bb
Dominant 7th 0-4-3-3 C-E-G-Bb
Minor 7th 0-3-4-3 C-Eb-G-Bb
Major 7th 0-4-3-4 C-E-G-B
4th Sustained 0-5-2 C-F-G
2nd Sustained 0-2-5 C-D-G
Major 6th 0-4-3-2 C-E-G-A
Minor 6th 0-3-4-2 C-Eb-G-A
4th chord 0-5-5 C-F-Bb
7th sustained 0-5-2-3 C-F-G-Bb
9th 0-4-3-3-4 C-E-G-Bb-D
Major 9th 0-4-3-4-3 C-E-G-B-D
INTERVALS are most important when learning the relationship of notes to the ROOT or starting point. For instance, if C is our starting point, there are 12 half steps to the next C up the keyboard. Each half step represents a certain interval, which we will identify further below.
First, let's identify each number of half steps up the keyboard.
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
At first glance, you might think that each interval is simply represented by its number above, but such is not the case. The intervals are named in a different manner than just their half step number from the root. They are named in relation to what will be called their Major Scale Position
Here are the half and whole steps that make up any major scale:
Major Scale 0-2-2-1-2-2-2-1
With C as the starting point(ROOT) or 0, the scale would then run as follows:
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Here's why:
With C as zero, the formula above has 2 next, which is a whole step up from C. That becomes D. Next we have another 2, which is another whole step, and becomes E. Then a 1 for a half step which becomes F, and so on through the formula.
One way that a person can recognize a Major Scale is that when played in succession it present that DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-LA-TI-DO scale. This happens no matter what note you start on as the ROOT, or 0 position.
Here are some other examples:
A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A
G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G
F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F
No matter what note you start on as 0, if you follow the given formula, it will always present the DO-RE-MI scale. It will simply vary by presenting it as a lower or higher pitched scale than the one in C.
Now, As can be seen, the MAJOR SCALE only employs 8 notes from the ROOT. There are therefore 8 positions in a MAJOR SCALE. (Later we will learn about intervals higher than the first eight, but only eight intervals are needed to establish the DO-RE-MI scale, or as it is most commonly referred to, the MAJOR SCALE)
This feature will become very important for later reference, so learn well the MAJOR SCALES starting on different notes and see how no matter where you start, if you follow the formula, it will sound like the DO_RE_MI scale.
Initially, some of the more common MAJOR SCALES that we will encounter are the G MAJOR SCALE, the F MAJOR SCALE and the C MAJOR SCALE. So familiarize yourself with these three scales to start with.
So again, here are the intervals from the ROOT C, but this time, the actual intervals that present the true C MAJOR SCALE will be highlighted. You will see that some intervals are skipped when creating a DO_RE_MI scale.
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
Then, if we remove the unused intervals, we have the pure C MAJOR SCALE:
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Most all musicians will refer to INTERVALS in their relationship to the MAJOR SCALE. Therefore the the intervals are named as follows.
C of course is the ROOT, or the first position of the C MAJOR SCALE.
D is called the interval of the 2cnd, since it is the second note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
E is called the interval of the 3rd, since it is the third note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
F is called the interval of the 4rth, since it is the fourth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
G is called the interval of the 5th, since it is the fifth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
A is called the interval of the 6th, since it is the sixth note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
B is called the interval of the 7th, since it is the seventh note of the C MAJOR SCALE.
The C (next C above the ROOT) is called the OCTAVE, since it is the eighth note above the ROOT and has the same letter name as the ROOT
Do not confuse these positions of the major scale with counting steps and half steps. They are not the same thing as steps and half steps. They are SCALE POSITIONS based upon the DO-RE-MI scale. Although they can be figured out by counting half steps, as in the above formula, their corresponding number to the SCALE POSITION will not match the half step formula for the scale.
For instance:
4 half steps is not a 4rth it is 3rd, because 4 half steps takes us to E in the CMAJOR SCALE, and E is the THIRD POSITION of that scale, not the FOURTH.
Be sure to be able to distinguish between the two counting systems or you can become confused.
As far as the unused notes between the SCALE POSITIONS, they also have names, but are again named in relation to the steps of the MAJOR SCALE, not in relation to their half steps.
Let's look at this again:
C(0) C#(1) D(2) D#(3) E(4) F(5) F#(6) G(7) G#(8) A(9) A#(10) B(11) C(12)
AS mentioned, the highlighted positions make up the MAJOR SCALE, and have the following names to their intervals.
ROOT or 1st=C
2cnd= D
3rd = E
4th= F
5th= G
6th= A
7th= B
OCTAVE=C
However, all 12 intervals are called as follows. (Again the MAJOR SCALE intervals will be highligjhted since they determine the DO-RE-MI scale or the "KEY' of music that you are playing in.)-- (more on that later)
C= ROOT
C#= minor 2cnd
D= 2cnd-also called major 2cnd
D#= minor 3rd
E= 3rd-also called major third
F=4rth
F#=diminished 5th-or flatted 5th
G= 5th
G#= minor 6th
A= 6th-or major 6th
A#=minor 7th (also called the dominant seventh)
B=7th-often called major 7th to distinguish it from the dominant 7th
C= OCTAVE
It will be important to continue to practice and understand the intervals as they will be of grteat assistance when learning CHORDS and other SCALES besides the MAJOR SCALE.
MEMO: Notes create Scales, Scales create Intervals and identify what KEY you are plaing in. Intervals create chords.
What is a KEY of music?
A KEY of music is the MAJOR SCALE that you are highlighting in the song that is being played.
For instance, the C MAJOR SCALE is called the KEY of C.
The F MAJOR SCALE is called the key of F
The G MAJOR SCALE is called the KEY of G
and so on.
So the MAJOR SCALE that you are using establishes the KEY in which you are playing.
Note: Don't confuse the key of a piano with the KEY OF MUSIC you are in. In realtion to the piano, the thing that you push down is called a key, but has nothing to do with the KEY OF MUSIC you are playing in. It's simply the name of the lever that you use to strike the note. It is better to refer to those "keys" on the piano as "notes" rather than "keys" to prevent any more confusion than necessary.
More to come,
Dan
