Intermediate: March 2010 Archives

Look at the following flash cards (front side is left, back side is right): 

Many songs use the relative minor for the chorus or bridge sections:
i.e. verse C //// F //// G //// chorus  Am //// G //// F ////
So it is important to memorize the relative minor family of chords.
The relative minor is also called the natural or aeolian minor.

 

 

 

C major C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C 

A natural minor  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

same notes as C major except A is the root or key note.

 

A Natural Minor scale = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

A Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

A minor,  B diminished,  C major,  D minor, E minor, F major, G major   

i             iio                III            iv           v           VI            VII

 

A Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Am7,         Bm7b5,       Cmaj7,        Dm7,     Em7,    F maj7,      G dominant 7  

im7            iiØ7           IIImaj7         iv7        v7        VImaj7       VII7

 

 

F major F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F 

D natural minor  D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D  

same notes as F major except D is the root or key note.

 

D Natural Minor scale = D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D

D Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

D minor,   E diminished,   F major,   G minor, A minor, Bb major,  C major  

i              iio                   III             iv         v           VI             VII

 

D Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Dm7,         Em7b5,           Fmaj7,         Gm7,      Am7,      Bb maj7,      C dominant 7  

i                iiØ7               IIImaj7          iv7          v7         VImaj7         VII7

 

 

 

Bb major Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb 

G natural minor  G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G  

same notes as Bb major except G is the root or key note.

 

G Natural Minor scale = G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G

G Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

G minor,   A diminished,  Bb major,  C minor,  D minor,  Eb major,   F major  

i              iio                 III             iv            v            VI             VII

 

G Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Gm7,          Am7b5,        Bbmaj7,     Cm7,        Dm7,        Eb maj7,        F dominant 7  

Im7             iiØ7             IIImaj7       iv7            v7           VImaj7           VII7

 

 

 

Eb major Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb 

C natural minor  C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C  

same notes as Eb major except C is the root or key note.

 

C Natural Minor scale = C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C

C Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

C minor,     D diminished,    Eb major,  F minor,  G minor,   Ab major,  Bb major  

i                iio                   III             iv            v             VI             VII

C Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Cm7,        Dm7b5,            Ebmaj7,    Fm7,      Gm7,        Ab maj7,      Bb dominant 7  

Im7           iiØ7                 IIImaj7      iv7          v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

 

Ab major Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab 

F natural minor  F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F  

same notes as Ab major except F is the root or key note.

 

F Natural Minor scale = F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F

F Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

F minor,     G diminished,   Ab major,  Bb minor, C minor,  Db major,  Eb major  

i                iio                  III             iv             v            VI             VII

 

F Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Fm7,          Gm7b5,          Abmaj7,      Bbm7,      Cm7,      Db maj7,       Eb dominant 7  

im7             iiØ7              IIImaj7         iv7           v7         VImaj7          VII7

 

 

 

Db major Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db 

Bb natural minor  Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb  

same notes as Db major except Bb is the root or key note.

 

Bb Natural Minor scale = Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb

Bb Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

Bb minor,  C diminished, Db major, Eb minor, F minor,  Gb major,  Ab major  

i               iio                III            iv            v            VI             VII

 

Bb Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Bbm7,       Cm7b5,        Dbmaj7,     Ebm7,     Fm7,       Gb maj7,      Ab dominant 7  

im7           iiØ7             IIImaj7       iv7          v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

Gb major Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb 

Eb natural minor Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb  

same notes as Gb major except Eb is the root or key note.

 

Eb Natural Minor scale = Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb

Eb Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

Eb minor,  F diminished,  Gb major, Ab minor,  Bb minor,  Cb major, Db major  

i              iio                 III             iv             v              VI           VII

 

Eb Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Ebm7,         Fm7b5,       Gbmaj7,     Abm7,      Bbm7,      Cb maj7,      Db  dominant 7  

im7             iiØ7            IIImaj7       iv7           v7            VImaj7         VII7

 

 

Cb major Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb 

Ab natural minor  Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab

same notes as Cb major except Ab is the root or key note.

 

Ab Natural Minor scale = Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab

Ab Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

Ab minor,  Bb diminished,  Cb major,  Db minor, Eb minor, Fb major,  Gb major  

i               iio                  III             iv             v            VI             VII

Ab Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Abm7,       Bbm7b5,       Cbmaj7,        Dbm7,     Ebm7,    Fbmaj7,    Gb dominant 7  

im7           iiØ7              IIImaj7          iv7          v7         VImaj7      VII7

 

 

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fourths.

 

Now record (or have a friend play) these common relative minor chord progressions 5 to 10 minutes for each key.

Then live (or on another track) play the minor scale for each key. Do this for all of the seven keys.

Play the minor scales first using quarter then eighth notes. Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. i //// iv //// v ////  iv ////

 

2. iio //// v //// i ////

 

3. i //// iv //// VII //// III //// VI //// iio //// v //// i ////

 

4. I //// v //// vi //// IV ////                                                           

(also experiment substituting the four note chords for the three note chords) 

Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each major scale key.

 

 

C major scale = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C   (no sharps or flats)

 

C major (3 note) family of chords

C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major,  A minor, B diminished,

I             ii           iii          IV          V            vi          viio

 

C major (4 note) family of chords

C maj7,  Dm7,      Em7,     Fmaj7,      G7,       Am7,     Bm7b5,

Imaj7      ii7         iii7        IV maj7     V7         vi7        viiØ7

 

(the dominant seventh chord (G7 in the key of C major) is the chord

that defines the key were in - more on this later.)

 

F major scale = F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F   (one flat Bb)

F major (3 note) family of chords

F major, G minor, A minor, Bb major, C major,  D minor,  E diminished,

I             ii           iii          IV            V            vi            viio

 

F major (4 note) family of chords

F maj7,   Gm7,     Am7,      Bbmaj7,     C7,      Dm7,    Em7b5,

Imaj7      ii7         iii7         IV maj7      V7        vi7      viiØ7

 

 

 

Bb major scale = Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb    (two flats Bb, Eb)

Bb major (3 note) family of chords

Bb major,  C minor, D minor,  Eb major,  F major,  G minor,  A diminished,

I               ii           iii           IV             V            vi            viio

 

Bb major (4 note) family of chords

Bb maj7,  Cm7,      Dm7,       Ebmaj7,    F7,        Gm7,       Am7b5,

Imaj7       ii7          iii7          IV maj7    V7          vi7          viiØ7

 

 

 

Eb major scale = Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb   (three flats Bb, Eb, Ab)

Eb major (3 note) family of chords

Eb major, F minor, G minor, Ab major,  Bb major,  C minor,   D diminished,

I              ii           iii          IV             V              vi            viio

 

Eb major (4 note) family of chords

Eb maj7,  Fm7,      Gm7,     Abmaj7,      Bb7,      Cm7,       Dm7b5,

Imaj7       ii7          iii7        IV maj7       V7         vi7          viiØ7

 

 

Ab major scale = Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab   ( four flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Ab major (3 note) family of chords

Ab major, Bb minor, C minor, Db major, Eb major, F minor,  G diminished,

I              ii             iii          IV            V             vi           viio

 

Ab major (4 note) family of chords

Ab maj7,   Bbm7,    Cm7,      Dbmaj7,    Eb7,       Fm7,      Gm7b5,

Imaj7        ii7          iii7        IV maj7     V7          vi7         viiØ7

 

 

 

Db major scale = Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db   (five flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

Db major (3 note) family of chords

Db major, Eb minor, F minor,  Gb major, Ab major, Bb minor,  C diminished,

I              ii            iii            IV            V             vi             viio

 

Db major (4 note) family of chords

Dbmaj7,   Ebm7,     Fm7,      Gbmaj7,    Ab7,         Bbm7,      Cm7b5,

Imaj7       ii7          iii7         IV maj7      V7            vi7           viiØ7

 

 

 

Gb major scale = Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb  (six flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb)

Gb major (3 note) family of chords

Gb major, Ab minor, Bb minor, Cb major,  Db major, Eb minor,    F diminished,

I               ii            iii           IV              V             vi              viio

 

Gb major (4 note) family of chords

Gb maj7,  Abm7,     Bbm7,      Cbmaj7,      Db7,        Ebm7,        Fm7b5,

Imaj7        ii7          iii7          IV maj7       V7            vi7            viiØ7

 

 

 

Cb major scale = Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb  (seven flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb)

Cb major (3 note) family of chords

Cb major, Db minor, Eb minor,  Fb major, Gb major,  Ab minor, Bb diminished,

I               ii            iii             IV            V              vi            viio

 

Cb major (4 note) family of chords

Cb maj7,  Dbm7,     Ebm7,      Fbmaj7,     Gb7,       Abm7,       Bbm7b5,

Imaj7       ii7           iii7          IV maj7      V7          vi7            viiØ7

 

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fourths.

 

Also record (or have a friend play) these common major scale chord progressions 

5 to 10 minutes each for all seven flat keys then live (or on another track) play the major scale for each key using first quarter then eighth notes.

Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. I //// IV //// V ////  IV ////

 

2. ii //// V //// I ////

 

3. ii //// V //// I //// vi ////

 

4. I //// V //// vi //// IV ////

 

Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each key.

 

 

Many songs use the relative minor for the chorus or bridge sections:

i.e. verse C //// F //// G //// chorus  Am //// G //// F ////

So it is important to memorize the relative minor family of chords.

The relative minor is also called the natural or aeolian minor.

 

 

C major C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

A natural minor  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

same notes as C major except A is the root or key note.

 

A Natural Minor scale = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

A Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

A minor,  B diminished,  C major,  D minor, E minor, F major, G major

i                 iio                      III            iv              v             VI           VII

 

A Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Am7,         Bm7b5,       Cmaj7,           Dm7,     Em7,       F maj7,      G dominant 7

im7            iiØ7            IIImaj7           iv7          v7           VImaj7       VII7

_____________________________________ 

 

G major G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G

E natural minor  E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E

same notes as G major except E is the root or key note.

 

E Natural Minor scale = E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E

E Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

E minor,  F# diminished,  G major,  A minor, B minor, C major,  D major

i                iio                       III              iv            v               VI             VII

 

E Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Em7,         F#m7b5,       Gmaj7,         Am7,      Bm7,      C maj7,         D dominant 7

i                  iiØ7             IIImaj7         iv7          v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

_____________________________________ 

D major D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D

B natural minor  B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

same notes as D major except B is the root or key note.

 

B Natural Minor scale = B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

B Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

B minor,  C# diminished,  D major,  E minor,   F# minor,  G major,   A major

i                 iio                        III            iv              v                 VI              VII

 

B Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Bm7,         C#m7b5,       Dmaj7,        Em7,        F#m7,      G maj7,         A dominant 7

Im7           iiØ7               IIImaj7        iv7            v7           VImaj7          VII7

 ____________________________________

A major A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A

F# natural minor  F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

same notes as A major except F# is the root or key note.

 

F# Natural Minor scale = F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

F# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

F# minor,  G# diminished,  A major,  B minor, C# minor, D major,  E major

i                  iio                        III             iv             v                VI              VII

 

 

F# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

F#m7,         G#m7b5,        Amaj7,       Bm7,       C#m7,     D maj7,        E dominant 7

Im7              iiØ7               IIImaj7       iv7            v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

 ____________________________________

E major E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E

C# natural minor  C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#

same notes as E major except C# is the root or key note.

 

C# Natural Minor scale = C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#

C# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

C# minor,  D# diminished, E major,  F# minor, G# minor,  A major,  B major

i                   iio                       III            iv               v                 VI              VII

 

C# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

C#m7,          D#m7b5,         Emaj7,        F#m7,     G#m7,        A maj7,         B dominant 7

im7               iiØ7                 IIImaj7        iv7           v7             VImaj7          VII7

 

_____________________________________

B major B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B

G# natural minor  G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

same notes as B major except G# is the root or key note.

 

G# Natural Minor scale = G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

G# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

G# minor,  A# diminished,   B major,  C# minor, D# minor, E major,  F# major

i                   iio                         III             iv               v               VI              VII

 

G# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

G#m7,          A#m7b5,        Bmaj7,        C#m7,     D#m7,        E maj7,        F# dominant 7

im7               iiØ7                IIImaj7        iv7            v7              VImaj7         VII7

 

__________________________________

 

F# major F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F#

D# natural minor D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#

same notes as F# major except D# is the root or key note.

 

D# Natural Minor scale = D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#

D# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

D# minor,  E# diminished,  F# major, G# minor, A# minor, B major,  C# major

i                   iio                       III              iv               v                 VI              VII

 

D# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

D#m7,          E#m7b5,       F#maj7,       G#m7,      A#m7,        B maj7,         C# dominant 7

im7               iiØ7              IIImaj7          iv7             v7             VImaj7         VII7

 

_____________________________________

C# major C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#

A# natural minor  A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#

same notes as C# major except A# is the root or key note.

 

A# Natural Minor scale = A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#

A# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

A# minor,  B# diminished,  C# major,  D# minor, E# minor, F# major,  G# major

i                   iio                        III               iv               v               VI                VII

 

 

A# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

A#m7,         B#m7b5,       C#maj7,         D#m7,       E#m7,       F#maj7,       G# dominant 7

im7               iiØ7               IIImaj7           iv7             v7             VImaj7         VII7

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fifths.

 

Now record (or have a friend play) these common relative minor chord progressions 5 to 10 minutes for each key. Then live (or on another track) play the minor scale for each key. Do this for all of the seven keys. Play the minor scales first using quarter then eighth notes.

Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. i //// iv //// v ////  iv ////

 

2. iio //// v //// i ////

 

3. i //// iv //// VII //// III //// VI //// iio //// v //// i ////

 

4. I //// v //// vi //// IV ////                                                           

(also experiment substituting the four note chords for the three note chords) 

Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each major scale key.

 

 

Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

C major scale = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C     (no sharps or flats)

 

C major (3 note) family of chords

C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major,  A minor, B diminished,

I               ii            iii         IV             V           vi            viio

 

C major (4 note) family of chords

C maj7,   Dm7,      Em7,        Fmaj7,      G7,       Am7,     Bm7b5,

Imaj7      ii7           iii7          IV maj7      V7        vi7         viiØ7

 

(the dominant seventh chord (G7 in the key of C major) is the chord

that defines the key were in - more on this later.)

 

 

G major scale = G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G   (one sharp F#)

G major (3 note) family of chords

G major, A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F# diminished,

I               ii         iii           IV           V            vi             viio

 

G major (4 note) family of chords

G maj7,   Am7,      Bm7,       Cmaj7,      D7,       Em7,    F#m7b5,

Imaj7       ii7          iii7         IV maj7     V7         vi7        viiØ7

 

 

D major scale = D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D    (two sharps F#, C#)

D major (3 note) family of chords

D major, E minor, F# minor, G major, A major, B minor,  C# diminished,

I             ii           iii           IV          V           vi             viio

 

 

D major (4 note) family of chords

D maj7,  Em7,     F#m7,     Gmaj7,      A7,        Bm7,    C#m7b5,

Imaj7      ii7        iii7         IV maj7      V7          vi7        viiØ7

 

 

 

A major scale = A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A   (three sharps F#, C#, G#)

A major (3 note) family of chords

A major, B minor, C# minor, D major,  E major,  F# minor, G# diminished,

I            ii             iii          IV            V           vi               viio

 

A major (4 note) family of chords

A maj7,   Bm7,     C#m7,      Dmaj7,     E7,       F#m7,    G#m7b5,

Imaj7       ii7         iii7          IV maj7    V7         vi7          viiØ7

 

E major scale = E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E   ( four sharps F#, C#, G#, D#)

E major (3 note) family of chords

E major, F# minor, G# minor, A major, B major,  C# minor, D# diminished,

I            ii            iii            IV           V            vi              viio

 

E major (4 note) family of chords

E maj7,  F#m7,     G#m7,      Amaj7,      B7,       C#m7,    D#m7b5,

Imaj7      ii7          iii7         IV maj7      V7          vi7          viiØ7

 

 

B major scale = B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B   (five sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)

B major (3 note) family of chords

B major, C# minor, D# minor, E major, F# major, G# minor,  A# diminished,

I                ii           iii            IV           V              vi                viio

 

B major (4 note) family of chords

Bmaj7,  C#m7,     D#m7,      Emaj7,       F#7,        G#m7,         A#m7b5,

Imaj7     ii7          iii7          IV maj7       V7           vi7               viiØ7

 

 

F# major scale = F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F# (six sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

F# major (3 note) family of chords

F# major, G# minor, A# minor, B major, C# major, D# minor, E# diminished,

I              ii             iii            IV            V           vi            viio

 

F# major (4 note) family of chords

F# maj7,  G#m7,     A#m7,        Bmaj7,       C#7,       D#m7,    E#m7b5,

Imaj7         ii7          iii7           IV maj7       V7           vi7         viiØ7

 

 

 

 

C# major scale = C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#  (seven sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)

C# major (3 note) family of chords

C# major, D# minor, E# minor,  F# major, G# major,  A# minor, B# diminished,

I              ii              iii            IV           V              vi               viio

 

C# major (4 note) family of chords

C# maj7,  D#m7,     E#m7,      F#maj7,       G#7,         A#m7,     B#m7b5,

Imaj7        ii7         iii7           IV maj7         V7            vi7           viiØ7

 

 

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fifths.

 

Then record (or have a friend play) these common major scale chord progressions 5 to 10 minutes for each key. Then live (or on another track) play the major scale for each key. Do this for all of the seven keys. Play the major scales first using quarter then eighth notes.

Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. I //// IV //// V ////  IV ////

 

2. ii //// V //// I ////

 

3. ii //// V //// I //// vi ////

 

4. I //// V //// vi //// IV ////                                                           

(also experiment substituting the four note chords for the three note chords) 

 Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each major scale key.

 

 

Since our western hemisphere music is based on the major scale it is essential to memorize the major scale for all fifteen written keys. To do this you must understand the interval construction of the major scale and then apply it to all keys (circle of fifths and fourths)

Lets review the interval construction of the major scale.

Example using the C major scale (this interval formula is the exact same for all keys):

C to D = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)

D to E = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)

E to F = half step      (one fret distance or a minor second interval)

F to G = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)

G to A = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)

A to B = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)

B to C = half step      (one fret distance or a minor interval)

Memorize the major scale formula: WS,WS,HS - WS,WS,WS - HS 

By moving to the right four scale steps we produce the next key center or key signature. 

(the basis for the circle of fifths (and fourths) was first described and illustrated by Nikolai Diletskii in 1679)

C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Count from C (1st scale degree) to the right - four scale degrees - and you get 

F (4th scale degree) the next closes key. Only one note difference Bb.

F major = F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F                      one flat Bb

Notice how the Bb is needed to maintain the same interval relationship of:

WS,WS,HS,WS,WS,WS,HS.

In other words F to G = WS, G to A = WS, A to Bb = HS, 

Bb to C = WS, C to D = WS, D to E = WS, E to F = HS.

Bb major = Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb                    two flats = Bb and Eb

Eb major = Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb                  three flats = Bb, Eb, Ab 

(notice how the old flats are carried into the new key and the newest 

flat added is the fourth scale degree)

Ab major = Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab                four flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

Db major = Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db              five flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

Gb major = Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb             six flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#

Cb major = Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb        seven flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#, B#

C major uses no sharps or flats.

F major uses one flat            Bb

Bb major uses two flats         Bb, Eb

Eb major uses three flats       Bb, Eb, Ab

Ab major uses four flats        Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

Db major uses five flat          Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

Gb major uses six flats          Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb

Cb major uses seven flats      Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb 

Notice the stating note is the key or key center. So memorize the note names for each key and then later the major and natural minor family of chords for each key).

The circle of fourths covers seven of our keys - this combined with the circle of fifths creates fourteen keys, with the C major scale we now have our fifteen keys.

Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Since our western hemisphere music is based on the major scale it is essential to memorize the major scale for all fifteen written keys. To do this you must understand the interval construction of the major scale and then apply it to all keys (circle of fifths and fourths)

C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Count from C (1st scale degree) to the right - five scale degrees - and you get 

An interval is the distance between two notes. since there are twelve notes there are twelve intervals. Memorize the name, distance and sound of each interval.

Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

A Slash Chord tells you which one of the notes within the chord will be the lowest tone that is played in that chord.

In the first examples C major is the slash chord. C major = C - E - G

 

C/C  C  the C note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major chord with C as the lowest tone

This is usually not indicated because it is assumed to be the lowest tone. 

 

C/E   the E note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C major first inversion

 

C/G  the G note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major second inversion

 

C/B  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major seventh third inversion

 

C/D  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major ninth fourth inversion

 

 

Now look at this using the key of C# major:

 

C#/E#   the E# note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C# major first inversion

 

C#/G#  the G# note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major second inversion

 

C#/B#  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major seventh third inversion

C#/D#  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major ninth fourth inversion

(Now do this for all other thirteen keys -

G, D, A, E, B, F# - Circle of Fifth's

F, Bb, E, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb - Circle of Fourths).

 

 

Now look at this using the key of C minor.

In the following examples C minor is the chord above the lowest tone. C minor = C -Eb- G

 

Cm/Eb   the Eb note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C minor first inversion

 

Cm/G  the G note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor second inversion

 

Cm maj7/B  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor major seventh third inversion

 

Cm/D  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor ninth fourth inversion

 

 

You can pick any note in a chord to be a slash chord. Many times this technique is used to move scale wise or chromaticly in the lowest tone:

 

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin:

Am/A - Am maj 7/G# - Am7/G - Bm7/F# - F maj 7 /F. This is a chromatic scale descending from A, G#, G, F#, F.

 

A is the root of A minor, G# is the major seventh of A minor, G is the flat seventh of A minor, F# is the fifth of Bm7, F is the root of Fmaj7.

 

 

"In Waltz For Debby" by Bill Evans & Gene Lees

A7/G - D7/F# - G7/F - C7/E - F7/Eb - Bb6/D - Gm7b5/Db - C7/C - C7/Bb - Am7/A.

Again a chromatic scale descending from G to A.

G is the flat seventh of A7, F# is the third of D7, F is the flat seventh of G7, E is the third of C7, Eb is the flat seventh of F7, D is the third of Bb6, Db is the flat fifth of Gm7b5, C is the root of C7, Br is the flat seventh of C7, A is the root of Am7.

 

 

Any chord can be made into a slash chord by simply adding whatever note after the slash sign.  

Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.

All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.