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Gospel Instruments => General Music Hangout => Topic started by: T-Block on March 11, 2008, 11:31:40 AM

Title: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: T-Block on March 11, 2008, 11:31:40 AM
Another member brought up a good idea about 7th chords built off the scale degrees.  So, I guess I'll tackle that as well:

Scale Degree 7th Chords

Once you are able to form 3-note chords on each scale degree, the next step is to form 4-note chords.  To be more specific, we're gonna talk about 7th chords.  What we're gonna do is add one more note to the 3-note chords we already formed.  Let's recap those:

1-3-5 = major 1 chord
2-4-6 = minor 2 chord
3-5-7 = minor 3 chord
4-6-1 = major 4 chord
5-7-2 = major 5 chord
6-1-3 = minor 6 chord
7-2-4 = diminished 7 chord

O.K., now using the same process as we did for those chords, we are gonna form 7th chords off each scale degree.  Here's an illustration:

1  (skip 2)  3  (skip 4)  5  (skip 6)  7

2  (skip 3)  4  (skip 5)  6  (skip 7)  1

3  (skip 4)  5  (skip 6)  7  (skip 1)  2

4  (skip 5)  6  (skip 7)  1  (skip 2)  3

5  (skip 6)  7  (skip 1)  2  (skip 3)  4

6  (skip 7)  1  (skip 2)  3  (skip 4)  5

7  (skip 1)  2  (skip 3)  4  (skip 6)  6

Now, I'm gonna put them altogether:

1-3-5-7 = major 7th 1 chord
2-4-6-1 = minor 7th 2 chord
3-5-7-2 = minor 7th 3 chord
4-6-1-3 = major 7th 4 chord
5-7-2-4 = dominant 7th 5 chord
6-1-3-5 = minor 7th 6 chord
7-2-4-6 = half-diminished 7th 7 chord

Notice the chord qualities of each of the 7th chords above.  A couple of them are different from the 3-note chord qualities.  Take the 5 chord, when the 7th is added it becomes a dominant 7th chord.  Then, look at the 7 chord, when the 7th is added it becomes a half-diminished 7th chord.

We still only use the notes of the major scale for these chords as well.  So, using the scale degree formula above, here are all the chords in C:

C major scale:  C=1  D=2  E=3  F=4  G= 5  A=6  B=7

1-3-5  =  C-E-G-B
2-4-6  =  D-F-A-C
3-5-7  =  E-G-B-D
4-6-1  =  F-A-C-E
5-7-2  =  G-B-D-F
6-1-3  =  A-C-E-G
7-2-4  =  B-D-F-A

Again, the notes of these chords can also be altered to form more chords.  This marks the end of the basic chords u can play with one hand.  Anything larger than that and you will need to use 2 hands to play them, namely your 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, and various altered chords.
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: SisterCM on March 12, 2008, 07:26:15 AM
Thank you! :)
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: chevonee on March 14, 2008, 06:34:09 PM
T-block please allow me to say this in the most humble way that I know how......








DUDE YOU ARE A MUSICAL GENIUS IN THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD DEGREES!!!!










We now return to our regularly scheduled thread ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: musallio on March 16, 2008, 06:28:44 PM
Nice 1 T...

So all U had to do there was just skip 1 more # with the sequence staying the same..

Cool stuff.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: darkwing on March 18, 2008, 03:58:19 PM
Here's my addition...

http://freegospelresource.com/music-theory/major-scale-harmony-and-chords.html (http://freegospelresource.com/music-theory/major-scale-harmony-and-chords.html)
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: T-Block on March 18, 2008, 04:12:39 PM
Nice 1 T...

So all U had to do there was just skip 1 more # with the sequence staying the same..

Cool stuff.
Thanks.

That's the general idea.  And you keep going for 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths.  The only difference is u gonna need two hands to play those chords.
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: divinemusician on March 20, 2008, 09:57:34 PM
so in music is it done in odds like the 1-3-5 etc. I know you have your 2-4 and 8 but when it comes to chord names do you mostly see odds. lawd i hope i am asking right
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: T-Block on March 21, 2008, 08:14:51 AM
so in music is it done in odds like the 1-3-5 etc. I know you have your 2-4 and 8 but when it comes to chord names do you mostly see odds. lawd i hope i am asking right

*odd scale degrees is more correct, lol*

Yup, that's basically it.  But, just like you said, there are exceptions though.  ;)  :D
Title: Re: Scale Degree Chords Part 2
Post by: Virtuenow on February 22, 2013, 10:38:51 PM
Why did you add 7ths to everything and when do you need it? Thanks!