Lesson 15 - Friday 18th November 2016

Diatonic Harmony

In any particular key, if we use notes belonging to that key to build chords, then we call in diatonic harmony. If we use notes that don't belong to the key, we call it chromatic harmony.

eg. In C Major, the chord Eminor7 (E, G, B and D) would be diatonic as it only uses notes from C Major, whereas E7 (E, G#, B and D) would be chromatic as it includes a note from outside the key of C.

Primary and Secondary Chords in Major Keys

The Primary Chords are chords I, IV and V and are major
(ie. those built on the 1st, 4th and 5th scale degree in a particular key).

The Secondary Chords are chords ii, iii and vi and are minor

You will need to know at least 1 to 7 in roman numerals:
I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII (upper case)
i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii (lower case)


A triad is a three-note chord in a closed position with the root at the bottom.

Remember: a triad goes line, line, line or space, space, space.

Lesson 8 - 7th October 2016

We listened to this:




Then:

By the end of the lesson, make sure you can play Major triads of:
C, D, E, F, G, A and B Major

If you have time, try the minors as well (the same as major but the middle note is one semitone lower).

Those of you who are used to playing chords and are finding it quite easy, try playing the chords with your left hand as well. Also, try using different spacings of the chords (eg. you could play C Major with a C in the left hand and an E and G in the right). Also, you could try different inversions of the chords (ie. with an E or G in the bass instead of a C).

Chords:



This is the C Major triad. (Triad means three-note chord)


Here are a load more major triads.





(Notice how in each case the notes go line-line-line or space-space-space.)



A way of working out any major or minor triad:

To play a Major triad: play a note, the note 4 semitones above and then 3 semitones above that.

To play a minor triad: play a note, the note 3 semitones above and then 4 semitones above that.