SONGSEEDS - C major scale generated chords

So you want to write a chord progression on guitar but don't know which chords will go together?

Every major scale generates a predictable series of chords (built using a mixture of major and minor third intervals); with the simplest having 3 notes (triads) and the most complicated using all 7 notes of the major scale (thirteenths).

The simplest major scale, from a note naming point of view, is C major because it has ZERO sharp () or flat () notes.

INTERVAL NUMBER

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

NOTE NAMES

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

Harmonizing the C major scale in thirds i.e. start on each note in turn taking every other letter of the scale until 3 notes have been accumulated e.g. C, E, G – C major; D, F, A – D minor; E, G, B, - E minor;
F, A, C – F major; G, B, D – G major; A, C, E – A minor; B, D, F – B diminished.

C MAJOR SCALE HARMONY (Ionian mode)

I

IIm

IIIm

IV

V

VIm

VIIdim

C

Dm

Em

F

G

Am

Bdim

Below are the easiest shapes for the chords in the key of C major - these may not be the most inspiring but they will always go together - in any order. Try a few together and listen to what they sound like.

C major scale chords

The tab that follows shows the harmonised C major scale (using open chord shapes - apart from F major):-

C major scale chord tab

The C major scale chord pattern can also be generated for all seven SHARP major scales (as defined by the CYCLE OF FIFTHS); these are tabulated below:-

Sharp major scales

Similarly the table can be produced for the FLAT major scales (as defined by the CYCLE OF FOURTHS);
again these are tabulated below:-

Flat major scales

Sticking to the C major scale generated chords (staying in key) can get a little tiresome so below is a table of GAP CHORDS i.e. a series of major chords built on the notes that lie in-between the scale notes. Some sound good in combination with the scale chords - others are at best an acquired taste - again try out a few combinations and see how they sound together.

C major scale GAP chords

The C major scale GAP CHORD pattern can also be generated for all seven SHARP major scales
(as defined by the CYCLE OF FIFTHS); these are tabulated below:-

GAP chords sharp keys

Similarly the GAP CHORD table can be produced for the FLAT major scales
(as defined by the CYCLE OF FOURTHS); again these are tabulated below:-

GAP chords flat keys


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