Chords In Keys - For Jamming

In this lesson, we'll learn about Scale Chord Theory. You must understand that a group of chords come from the same major scale. It is why you can use one scale over many different chords!

We won't go too deep into music theory in this module. I cover much more in my Practical Music Theory course. I’m sure you'll enjoy checking that out too! Now, let's get started.

A Review on Basic Chords

Basic chords consist of 3rds, which means a scale tone separates the notes. For example, the C Major Chord notes are C, E and G and the first, third, and fifth notes of the C Major Scale. C (D) E (F) G.

When we apply this pattern starting from each scale degree, we get a sequence of chords. We call it the Diatonic Chord Sequence. It's this collection of chords that we will use for this entire course!

We name the scale degrees in roman numerals when we build chords from them. We won’t be dealing with Chord VII much. We don't really use it other than in jazz, and to get into it, you'll need a higher understanding of music theory. 

The C Major Scale

I C E G = C Major (MAJOR)

II D F A = D Minor (MINOR)

III E G B = E Minor (MINOR)

IV F A C = F Major (MAJOR)

V G B D = G Major (MAJOR)

VI A C E = A Minor (MINOR)

VII B D F = B Dim (let’s not worry about this one!)

The Chord Order

The order of the chord types will always be the same. It applies to every Major Scale and Major Key.

• Chords I, IV, and V will be Major.

• Chords II, III, and VI will be Minor.

Learn more about the notes in the Major Scale in my Practical Music Theory course.

The G Major Scale

If you look at the G Major Scale, you'll see its notes are G A B C D E F#.

• The I, IV, and V will be G, C, and D. 

• The II, III, and VI will be Am, Bm, and Em.

So, the chords in the key of G are G, C, D, Am, Bm, and Em. It makes sense, right? :) And yes, I could have written them as G, Am, Bm, C, D, and Em. I just think it’s helpful to see the major and minor separated too.

How do you jam over scales?

Now you understand how to find the chords in a key. But how can you jam with your buddy in the key of G, for example? That's easy! 

He plays the G Major Scale, and you play any of the chords in the key of G in any order. You don’t have to use them all. In fact, you might try just using one at a time for a while. We call this vamping - more on that later!

Do you want to try jamming in C, too? Play The C Major Scale, and your buddy will use the chords in the key of C. They are C, F, G, Dm, Em, and Am. Remember: you can play any of them, in any order you want!

Always ensure that you stick with the right chords and the right scale notes, or it might all go wrong.

HAVE FUN! :)

Unit 1 Practice Schedule

Homework

Your homework this week needs 10 minutes a day of practice. Here's what you'll have to do:

5 minutes - Scale Practice

• Play the scale up and down, slowly and carefully. Get every note correct, and make sure you memorize the pattern. Hopefully, after a few days, you will be able to do it slowly with a metronome.

• Watch my lesson on practicing with a metronome! Start playing one note per click at 60 BPM. If that’s too fast, then don’t work with a metronome yet.

• Gradually, work it up to 120 BPM. Then, cut back to 60 BPM but playing two notes per click (8th notes). Target between 80 and 120 BPM if you can. But speed is not your goal!

5 minutes - Improvisation

• Use the available backing tracks to explore playing over the tracks. Start working with just the G Major one for at least five practice sessions. 

• Then, have a go at the one in C Major. Alternate between them so you don’t get stuck in G.

• If you have a jam buddy, they can use the chords shown in the Major Scale Chord Theory lesson (coming next) in any order. It’s great fun to jam with friends and learn together. It was how I learned all this stuff!

• Start using only the thinnest two strings! Add in one or two more strings over the first few practice sessions as you feel you are getting the hang of it. 

Using fewer notes will help you learn some of the essential lessons we're exploring, but you are likely to struggle and get bored doing it. Try to push through that! Important things are coming on the other side. ;)

Feedback & Support

I would love to see a video of your early attempts at playing with the backing track! It's also a valuable thing for yourself to look back on too! Please, film yourself, pop it up on YouTube and post a link in the website comments. 

I will check out as many as I can and give you some feedback. I’m sure you will also enjoy sharing constructive feedback with your fellow students! We can all learn from each other. 

Student Resources (Downloads)

1. PDF - Major Scale 5 Pattern System Diagrams

2. MP3 - Backing Track in G Major "Wishful"

3. GuitarPro - G Major Scale in 8th notes and 16th notes for practice (if needed)