Chords of the Major Scale Made Easy
Expert tips to fuel your inner musical genius
Find The Essential Piano Chords of Western Music
In this video tutorial below, Pianist/Composer Tom Donald reveals the seven essential chords from the major scale that form the foundation of Western music. He explains how these chords are structured and how you can use them to create simple yet powerful chord progressions, helping you understand your favorite songs and create your compositions with ease.
Understanding the 7 Chords of the Major Scale
This video offers a deep dive into the core of Western harmony by focusing on the seven essential piano chords. These chords are fundamental building blocks in music theory, used across all genres from classical and jazz to pop and rock. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, mastering these chords will revolutionize the way you think about music.
Starting your 7 chords journey in “easy” C major
At [0:36] in the video, Tom starts in the easier key of C major, easy in the sense that you can find the chords of the major scale without much muscle memory or training needed. It’s all on the white keys. The C major scale consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, and serves as the blueprint for creating the seven diatonic chords in Western music.
In Western music theory, scales are crucial because they determine the set of notes used to build chords. Each scale gives rise to a series of chords, each serving a unique function within a musical composition. The C major scale is a great place to start because it includes all white keys on the piano, making it visually and theoretically accessible.
The 7 Diatonic Chords of Western Music
The seven diatonic chords in the C major scale are classified as major, minor, or diminished. These chords are built by stacking intervals of thirds on each scale degree, and each plays a specific role in the harmonic structure of music.
The 7 Chords of the Major Scale
- C Major (I) – C E G: The tonic chord that provides a sense of resolution and stability in music.
- D Minor (ii) – D F A: A minor chord that introduces tension and a melancholic feel, commonly used in transitions.
- E Minor (iii) – E G B: A minor chord that often serves as a passing chord, adding depth to progressions.
- F Major (IV) – F A C: The subdominant chord, which creates a pull away from the tonic and sets up the dominant chord.
- G Major (V) – G B D: The dominant chord, is crucial for building anticipation and driving the music back to the tonic.
- A Minor (vi) – A C E: The relative minor of C major, often used to create emotional contrast and a reflective mood.
- B Diminished (vii°) – B D F: The leading-tone chord, known for its dissonant sound that naturally resolves to the tonic.
Chords of the Major Scale in different keys
| Key | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Major | C E G | D F A | E G B | F A C | G B D | A C E | B D F |
| D Major | D F# A | E G B | F# A C# | G B D | A C# E | B D F# | C# E G |
| E Major | E G# B | F# A C# | G# B D# | A C# E | B D# F# | C# E G# | D# F# A |
| F Major | F A C | G Bb D | A C E | Bb D F | C E G | D F A | E G Bb |
| G Major | G B D | A C E | B D F# | C E G | D F# A | E G B | F# A C |
| A Major | A C# E | B D F# | C# E G# | D F# A | E G# B | F# A C# | G# B D |
| B Major | B D# F# | C# E G# | D# F# A# | E G# B | F# A# C# | G# B D# | A# C# E |
Differentiating Between Major and Minor Piano Chords
Major chords (I, IV, V) are built from a root note, a major third, and a perfect fifth. These chords produce a bright, happy, and stable sound. They are used extensively in all genres of music to create uplifting and consonant harmonies.
Minor chords (ii, iii, vi) consist of a root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. These chords have a more melancholic and somber quality, adding emotional depth and complexity to your music. The interplay between major and minor chords is what gives music its dynamic range of feelings.
The Seventh Chord: The Diminished
The seventh chord, particularly the dominant seventh (G7 in the key of C), is essential for creating tension and resolution in music. This chord adds a fourth note to the triad, producing a richer, more layered sound.
Seventh chords are widely used in genres like jazz, blues, and classical music to add sophistication and colour to the chords of the major scale. They are also pivotal in film scores and theatrical compositions to evoke dramatic or suspenseful moods.
How to Use the 7 Chords of the Scale to make up your own music
Armed with the knowledge of these seven chords, you can start experimenting with creating your own music. Chord progressions like I-IV-V or ii-V-I are the backbone of countless songs across different genres. By understanding these chords, you can deconstruct the harmonic structure of your favorite songs and create your own compositions with confidence.
Example Chord Progressions
- I-IV-V (C-F-G): This progression is a classic used in many pop and rock songs for its simple yet powerful sound.
- ii-V-I (Dm-G-C): Common in jazz, this progression provides smooth transitions and natural resolution.
- vi-IV-I-V (Am-F-C-G): Often used in pop ballads, this progression creates a sentimental and expressive feel.
Mastering the chords of the major scale will lay the foundation for all your musical explorations. Whether you’re analyzing your favorite songs or creating original compositions, understanding these chords will give you the tools to unlock the full potential of music theory and harmony.
For more advanced insights, be sure to check out our post on 7th Dissonance and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more tutorials and inspiration.
