Recap on chord tones

Recap on Finding Chord Tones

Finding Chord Tones in C Major

Okay, so let's have a little recap on finding chord tones. First, we'll demonstrate how we found the chord tones for the C major chord.

C Major Scale

1. Start with the C major scale.

2. Play through the scale and count the numbers until we reach C again. We should get seven different notes before reaching C.

   • Counting the Notes:
     • 1
     • 2
     • 3
     • 4
     • 5
     • 6
     • 7
   • And there's our C again.

Constructing the C Major Chord

To create a C major chord, we need to take:

• Note number 1: C
• Note number 3: E
• Note number 5: G

Playing the Chord

Let's walk through the scale again, noting the relevant tones:

• 1 (C)
• 2
• 3 (E)
• 4
• 5 (G)

Thus, the C major chord consists of the notes C, E, and G. Play these notes simultaneously to form a C major chord.

"A C major chord doesn't have to look like this. I could play a C, E, and a G here or here, or here. There are loads of different places to play a C major chord, not just down here."

Finding Chord Tones in G Major

Now, let's look at a different example to cover another key: the G major chord.

G Major Scale

1. Strum all six strings, although that doesn't necessarily mean we're playing six different notes.

2. We'll play through the G major scale.

   • Counting the Notes:
     • 1
     • 2
     • 3
     • 4
     • 5
     • 6
     • 7
   • And there's our G again.

Constructing the G Major Chord

To make our G major chord, we will take:

• Note number 1: G
• Note number 3: B
• Note number 5: D

Playing the Chord

Play those three notes at the same time, and you have a G major chord.

"That combination of notes anywhere on the guitar, and you're playing a G major chord."

Modifying Chords to Minor

To make either of those chords minor, follow these steps:

• Take the third note (the middle one) and flatten it by one semitone (one fret).

For the G major chord we had (G, B, D):

1. Identify B as note number three.
2. Move it back one fret to get Bb.

Now we have G minor.

"You can hear how the tone of that chord has massively changed. G major, G minor."

Practice Exercise

Now, go and try this in a few different keys!

Steps to Follow:

1. Find the scale of the root note of your chosen chord.
2. Count through the notes of the scale.
3. Make a note of:
   • Note number 1
   • Note number 3
   • Note number 5

These notes will be your chord tones for that major chord.

"These are the good notes that we want to find, and they're the ones you'll want to target to start off with in your improvisation."

Good luck with that, and let's have a look at the next technique!