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LESSON 1
SCALE
CONSTRUCTION
UNDERSTANDING SCALES
There are many types of scales in the world of music having different
number of notes. The most commonly used scales are the major scales
and the minor scales both of which have seven notes (Otherwise known
as scale degrees.)
Intervals
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8/1
The octave is the repeated prime note but on the higher side of the
scale. i.e. from the lower “do” to the higher “do”.
The notes in a scale can be described as either being a half step apart
or a whole step apart;
Chromatic half step: Refers to a half step that is written using the
same letter but with different accidentals. For example, G – G# (G
sharp)
Diatonic half step: A half step that has two different note names For
example,
G#- A
N/B
Two notes that are a half step apart form a minor second interval while
two notes that are two half steps apart form a major second interval.
When we move up the scale chromatically by half steps, we will have
the minor third, major third, the perfect fourth, tritone, perfect
fifth, minor sixth, major sixth, minor seventh, major seventh, octave.
Enharmonic notes
These are notes that can be given two alternative names. For example,
a C# can also be called a Db
MAJOR SCALES
A major scale is a scale that has half steps (H) between the third and
fourth degrees (between mi and fa) and also between the seventh and
eighth degrees of the scale (between ti and do). All the other notes
have whole step (W) intervals.
C D E F G A B C
W W H W W W H
W-whole step
H-half step
There are twelve major scales in music. Apply the same concept of half
steps between the 3rd and the 4th and between the 7th and the 8th
degree to find the major scale of any key.
A major scale:
From the diagram above, there is a semitone between the 3rd and the
4th -tone between the 7th and 8th notes of
the scale. The rest of the intervals are whole steps or tones.
Fingering
When playing the scale, there is a specific finger that should be used
when playing each note. By adhering to the correct fingering, you will
The thumb is finger number 1 while the small finger is finger number 5.
As you practice the major scales, try using the correct fingering for
both the right hand and the left hand. The left hand plays the bass
notes while the right hand plays the notes to the right side of the
piano.
Practice the right hand and left hand scales separately at first. After
you are comfortable with that, play them simultaneously.
I recommend that you start with the key of C major before you
venture into the other keys. With time you will realize that the thumb
is hardly used when playing the black notes.
Listed below are all the major scales and the suggested fingering.
Kindly note that the fingering runs through two octaves of the scale.
C Major Scale
Notes: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
C# Major scale
Notes: C#-D#-F-F#-Ab-Bb-C-C#
D Major Scale
Notes: D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D
D# Major scale
Notes: D#-F-G-Ab-Bb-C-D-D#
E Major scale
Notes: E-F#-G#-A-B-C#-D#-E
F Major Scale
Notes: F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F
F# Major scale
Notes: F#-G#-A#-B-C#-D#-F-F#
G Major Scale
Notes: G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G
G# Major scale
Notes: G#-A#-C-C#-D#-F-G-G#
A Major scale
Notes: A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A
A# Major scale
Notes: A#-C-D-Eb-F-G-A-A#
B Major Scale
Notes: B-C#-D#-E-F#-G#-A#-B
LESSON 2
CHORD
CONSTRUCTION
CHORD
CONSTRUCTION
CHORD CONSTRUCTON
There are many types of chords on the piano depending on the interval
between the notes and the number of notes that have been used to
form that chord.
Three note chords are called triads while chords with more than three
notes are called extended chords, which will be covered in a later
chapter.
Major Chords
A major chord is formed by playing the 1st, 3rd and 5th note of the
major scale of any key. For example, a C major chord, has the notes C E
and G.
To play the G# major chord, play the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the G#
major scale together. By mastering the intervals you can play any major
chord in any key.
Here are all the 12 major chords on the piano. When playing major
chords, the most appropriate fingering is 1, 2 and 4.
C major
Notes: C E G
C# major or Db major
Notes: C# F G#
D major
Notes: D F# A
D# major or Eb major
Notes: D# G A#
E major
Notes: E G# B
F major
Notes: F A C
F# major or Gb major
Notes: F# A# C#
G major
Notes: G B D
G# major or Ab major
Notes: G# C Eb
A major
Notes: A C# E
A# major or Bb major
Notes: A# D F
B major
Notes: B D# F#
Minor chords
Minor chords are formed by playing the 1st, the flattened 3rd and the
5th notes of a scale (1, b3, 5). Just to recap, flattening a note, means
lowering that note by a semitone or a half step.
Illustration:
At this point you realize that a minor chord is formed by first playing
the major chord and then lowering the second note of the major chord
by a half step.
F# minor chord- First hold the F# major chord which has the notes,
F#, A# and C# then lower the A# by a half step to make it an A. There
you have the F# minor chord made up of the notes; F#, A and C#.
C minor
Notes: C D# G
C# minor or Db minor
Notes: C D# G
D minor
Notes: D F A
D# minor or Eb minor
Notes: D# F# A#
E minor
Notes: E G B
F minor
Notes: F G# C
F# minor or Gb minor
Notes: F# A C#
G minor
Notes: G A# D
G# minor or Ab minor
Notes: G# B D#
A minor
Notes: A C E
A# minor or Bb minor
Notes: A# C# F
B minor
Notes: B D F#
In any major scale, the sixth note of the scale is the relative minor.
Taking an example of the key of C major, the sixth scale degree is A.
Therefore, A minor is the relative minor in the key of C major.
In the key of F major, the sixth note of the scale is D. Therefore the
relative minor in the key of F major is D minor.
Here are all the major keys together with their relative minors:
KEY RELATIVE
MINOR
C Am
#
C A# m
D Bm
#
D Cm
E C# m
F Dm
#
F D# m
G Em
#
G Fm
A F# m
A# Gm
B G# m
Diminished Chords
The easiest way to form a diminished chord is by first holding the
major chord then lowering the 3rd and the 5th by a semitone (half step).
So the formula for a diminished chord is:
1, b3, b5.
C diminished
Notes: C Eb Gb
C# diminished
Notes: C# E G
D diminished
Notes: D F G#
D# diminished
Notes: D# F# A
E diminished
Notes: E G Bb
F diminished
Notes: F G# B
F# diminished
Notes: F# A C
G diminished
Notes: G Bb C#
G# diminished
Notes: G# B D
A diminished
Notes: A C Eb
A# diminished
Notes: A# C# E
B diminished
Notes: B D F
Inverted Chords
Play the same notes of the chord but change the order in which the
notes are played. Both major and minor chords can be inverted. The
essence of inverting a chord is to get a different voicing of the same
chord.
Original position:
First inversion:
Second inversion:
Each of these inversions has a unique sound. Take time and master
them in all the keys as they will come in handy when playing songs. Try
inverting minor chords and diminished chords while taking note of the
different sounds produced.
LESSON 3
CHORD PROGRESSION
BASED ON PRIMARY
CHORDS
On any major scale, there are seven notes/ scale degrees. There is a
specific chord applied on each scale degree.
For example, in the key of C Major, these are the chords that will be
applied at each scale degree:
When playing a song, the first thing to identify is the key in which the
song will be played. Then, find out the most appropriate chord
progression that can be used over the lyrics of the song.
The old hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” can take the following
progression in the key of C Major. I have also indicated the numbers so
that you can easily transfer the chords to another key.
C(1) F(4)
C(1) G(5)
C(1) F(4)
G(5) C(1)
C(1) F(4)
The identification of chord positions by numbers will help you play the
song in any key. This is called the Nashville Number System.
On any major scale, there are seven notes/ scale degrees. There is a
specific chord applied on each scale degree.
For example, in the key of C Major, these are the chords that will be
applied at each scale degree:
When playing a song, the first thing to identify is the key in which the
song will be played. Then, find out the most appropriate chord
progression that can be used over the lyrics of the song.
The old hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” can take the following
progression in the key of C Major. I have also indicated the numbers so
that you can easily transfer the chords to another key.
C(1) F(4)
C(1) G(5)
C(1) F(4)
G(5) C(1)
C(1) F(4)
The identification of chord positions by numbers will help you play the
song in any key. This is called the Nashville Number System.
LESSON 4
Incorporating Minor
Triads in Songs
C(1) F(4)
C(1) G(5)
Am(6) F(4)
G(5) Am(6)
C(1) F(4)
Here is an arrangement for the chorus of the hymn “At the cross at
the cross where I first saw the light” in the key of C Major:
Dm G C
F Dm
C Am
I received my sight
Dm G C
N/B: While playing, try using different inversions of the chords to add
variety to your music.
After mastering the flow of chords on your right hand, you can now
begin incorporating your left hand while playing. The left hand adds the
bass note to the chord that is being played in the right hand.
Play the “root” or the first note of the chord that is being played on
right hand to get the accompanying bass note.
Slash chords
This is a special application of bass notes where the note played on the
left hand is not the root of the chord that is being played in the right
hand.
will be denoted as
Where no slash chords are indicated on the lead sheet, play the root
of the chord to get the bass note on the left hand.
Try playing this arrangement while incorporating the bass notes in your
left hand.
C C/E F
C G
Am C/E F Dm
C/G G C
G Am
F C/E G G/B
C C/E F Dm
C/G G C
LESSON 5
TONS OF CHORDS !
Notes: C E G B
C# major seventh(C#M7)
Notes: C# F G# C
Notes: D F# A C#
Notes: D# G A# D
Notes: E G# B D#
Notes: F A C E
Notes: F# A# C# F
Notes: G B D F#
Notes: G# C Eb G
Notes: A C# E G#
Notes: Bb D F A
Notes: B D# F# A#
A minor seventh chord is formed by first holding the minor chord then
adding the flattened 7th note of the scale. “Flattening” means lowering
the 7th scale degree by a half step.
For example, a Cm7(C minor 7th) chord will be formed by the following
notes:
C, Eb, G, Bb
Notes: C D# G Bb
C# minor seventh(C#m7)
Notes: C# E G# B
Notes: D F A C
Notes: D# F# A# C#
Notes: E G B D
Notes: F G# C Eb
Notes: F# A C# E
Notes: G A# D F
Notes: G# B D# F#
Notes: A C E G
Notes: Bb C# F Ab
Notes: B D F# A
To form a diminished 7th chord, first hold the diminished chord then
add the sixth note in the scale.
C dim 7th
Notes: C Eb Gb A
C# dim 7th
Notes: C# E G Bb
D dim7th
Notes: D F G# A
D# dim7th
Notes: D# F# A C
E dim7th
Notes: E G Bb Db
F dim7th
Notes: F G# B D
F# dim7th
Notes: F# A C Eb
G dim7th
Notes: G Bb C# E
G# dim7th
Notes: G# B D F
A dim7th
Notes: A C Eb Gb
Bb dim7th
Notes: Bb C# E G
B dim7th
Notes: B D F Ab
Augmented Chords
C, E, G#
Formula: 1, 3, 5#
C augmented
Notes: C E G#
C# augmented
Notes: C# F G
D augmented
Notes: D F# A#
D# augmented
Notes: D# G B
E augmented
Notes: E G# C
F augmented
Notes: F A C#
F# augmented
Notes: F# A# D
G augmented
Notes: G B D#
G# augmented
Notes: G# C E
A augmented
Notes: A C# F
Bb augmented
Notes: Bb D F#
B augmented
Notes: B D# G
First hold the augmented chord then add the flattened 7th note to
form the augmented 7th chord.
Formula: 1, 3, 5#, 7b
C augmented 7th
Notes: C E G# Bb
C# augmented 7th
Notes: C# F G B
D augmented 7th
Notes: D F# A# C
D# augmented 7th
Notes: D# G B Db
E augmented 7th
Notes: E G# C D
F augmented 7th
Notes: F A C# Eb
F# augmented 7th
Notes: F# A# D E
G augmented 7th
Notes: G B D# F
G# augmented 7th
Notes: G# C E F#
A augmented 7th
Notes: A C# F G
Bb augmented 7th
Notes: Bb D F# G#
B augmented 7th
Notes: B D# G A
Dominant 7th chords (popularly known as 7th chords e.g. C7, G7, A7
etc.)
The dominant 7th chord is formed by first holding the major chord
then adding the flattened 7th note.
For example, to form a C dominant 7th (C7), first hold the C major then
add the Bb: C, E, G, Bb
Formula: 1, 3, 5, 7b
C dominant 7th
Notes: C E G Bb
C# dominant 7th
Notes: C# F G# B
D dominant 7th
Notes: D F# A C
D# dominant 7th
Notes: D# G A# Db
E dominant 7th
Notes: E G# B D
F dominant 7th
Notes: F A C Eb
F# dominant 7th
Notes: F# A# C# E
G dominant 7th
Notes: G B D F
G# dominant 7th
Notes: G# C Eb F#
A dominant 7th
Notes: A C# E G
Bb dominant 7th
Notes: Bb D F Ab
B dominant 7th
Notes: B D# F# A
SUSPENDED CHORDS
The concept behind the suspended chord is to eliminate the 3rd from
the chord. This gives us a more open voicing.
Suspended 2 Chords
To play a sus2 chord, replace the 3rd in the chord with a 2nd while
maintaining the 1st and the 5th.
Formula: 1, 2, 5
C sus2
Notes: C D G
C# sus2
Notes: C# Eb G#
D sus2
Notes: D E A
D# sus2
Notes: D# F A#
E sus2
Notes: E Gb B
F sus2
Notes: F G C
F# sus2
Notes: F# Ab C#
G sus2
Notes: G A D
G# sus2
Notes: G# Bb Eb
Asus2
Notes: A B E
Bb sus2
Notes: Bb C F
B sus2
Notes: B Db F#
Suspended 4 chords
In this case, play the 4th instead of the 3rd of the major chord, so that
we now have the 1st, the 4th and the 5th note forming the sus4 chord.
C, F, G.
Formula: 1, 4, 5
C sus4
Notes: C F G
C# sus4
Notes: C# F# G#
D sus4
Notes: D G A
D# sus4
Notes: D# G# A#
E sus4
Notes: E G B
F sus4
Notes: F Bb C
F# sus4
Notes: F# B C#
G sus4
Notes: G C D
G# sus4
Notes: G# C# Eb
A sus4
Notes: A G E
Bb sus4
Notes: Bb Eb F
B sus4
Notes: B E F#
These are extended chords formed by adding notes beyond one octave
of the scale.
N/B:
Extended chords can also be inverted such that they are played in one
octave.
The 9th is therefore the same as the 2nd , the 11th is the same as the
4th and the 13th is the same as the 6th .
A major 9th chord is formed by adding the 7th and the 9th notes to the
major chord.
Alternatively, first hold the major 7th chord then add the 9th note of
the scale to form the major 9th chord.
Formula: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
C Maj9
Notes: C E G B D
C# Maj9th
Notes: C# F G# C Eb
D Maj9th
Notes: D F# A C# E
D# Maj9th
Notes: D# G A# D F
E Maj9th
Notes: E G# B D# F#
FMaj9th
Notes: F A C E G
F# Maj9th
Notes: F# A# C# F Ab
G Maj9th
Notes: G B D F# A
G# Maj9th
Notes: G# C Eb G Bb
A Maj9th
Notes: A C# E G# B
Bb Maj9th
Notes: Bb D F A C
B Maj9th
Notes: B D# F# A# C#
Simply put; first hold the minor 7th chord then add the ninth note of
the major scale.
For example, to play an Am 9th chord, add the B note to the Am 7th
chord.
Cm9th
Notes: C D# G Bb D
C#m9
Notes: C# E G# B Eb
Dm9
Notes: D F A C E
D# m9
Notes: D# F# A# C# F
Em9
Notes: E G B D F#
Fm9
Notes: F G# C Eb G
F#m9
Notes: F# A C# E Ab
Gm9
Notes: G A# D F A
G #m9
Notes: G# B D# F# Bb
Am9
Notes: A C E G B
Bbm9
Notes: Bb C# F Ab C
Bm9
Notes: B D F# A C#
Dominant 9th Chords (Popularly known as 9th chords e.g. C9, F9, B9
etc.)
To form a dominant 9th chord, first hold the dominant 7th chord and
then add the 9th note of the scale.
Formula: 1, 3, 5, b7, 9
C9
Notes: C E G Bb D
C#9
Notes: C# F G# B Eb
D9
Notes: D F# A C E
D# 9
Notes: D# G A# Db F
E9
Notes: E G# B D Gb
F9
Notes: F A C Eb G
F# 9
Notes: F# A# C# E G#
G9
Notes: G B D F A
G# 9
Notes: G# C Eb F# Bb
A9
Notes: A C# E G B
Bb 9
Notes: Bb D F Ab C
B9
Notes: B D# F# A C#
(2) Add the 11th note to the major 7th chord and omit the 9th note .The
formula will therefore be: 1, 3, 5, 7, 11.
The 9th note is therefore optional because 6 note chords are rarely
used in practice.
in the chord.
C Major 11th
Notes: C E F G B
C# Major 11th
Notes: C# F F# G# C
D Major 11th
Notes: D F# G A C#
D# Major 11th
Notes: D# G G# A# D
E Major 11th
Notes: E G# A B D#
F Major 11th
Notes: F A Bb C E
F# Major 11th
Notes: F# A# B C# F
G Major 11th
Notes: G B C D F#
G# Major 11th
Notes: G# C C# Eb G
A Major 11th
Notes: A C# D E G#
Bb Major 11th
Notes: Bb D Eb F A
B Major 11th
Notes: B D# E F# A#
First hold the minor 9th then add the 11th note of the scale.
For example, a C minor 11th chord will have the notes: C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F.
chords, you can improvise by playing the D note after the C and the F
note after the Eb .In this way, the chord can be re arranged as: C, D,
Eb, F, G, Bb.
Remember, the 9th can be omitted, which in this case is a “D”, such that all the five notes are played
by one hand.
Cm 11th
Notes: C Eb F G Bb
C # m 11th
Notes: C# E F# G# B
Dm 11th
Notes: D F G A C
D# m 11th
Notes: D# F# G# A# C#
Em 11th
Notes: E G A B D
Fm 11th
Notes: F G# Bb C Eb
F# m 11th
Notes: F# A B C# E
Gm 11th
Notes: G A# C D F
G# m 11th
Notes: G# B C# D# F#
Am 11th
Notes: A C D E G
Bb m 11th
Notes: Bb C# Eb F Ab
Bm 11th
Notes: B D E F# A
To form a Major 13th chord, first hold a major 11th chord and add a
note that is an interval of a major 13th from the root of the chord.
For example, to play a C Major 13th, first hold the C Major 11th then
add the A note at the end, which is the 13th note on the C Major scale.
CM 13th
Notes: C E F G A B
C# M 13th
Notes: C# F F# G# Bb C
DM 13th
Notes: D F# G A B C#
D# M 13th
Notes: D# G G# A# C D
EM 13th
Notes: E G# A B C# D#
FM 13th
Notes: F A Bb C D E
F# M 13th
Notes: F# A# B C# Eb F
GM 13th
Notes: G B C D E F#
G# M 13th
Notes: G# C C# Eb F G
AM 13th
Notes: A C# D E F# G#
Bb M 13th
Notes: Bb D Eb F G A
BM 13th
Notes: B D# E F# G# A#
To form a minor 13th chord, first hold the minor 11th chord then add
the 13th note of the scale.
For example, to form the C minor 13th chord, first play the minor 11th
which has the notes:
Cm 13th
Notes: C Eb F G A Bb
C# m 13th
Notes: C# E F# G# A# B
Dm 13th
Notes: D F G A B C
D# m 13th
Notes: D# F# G# A# C C#
Em 13th
Notes: E G A B C# D
Fm 13th
Notes: F G# Bb C D Eb
F# m 13th
Notes: F# A B C# D# E
Gm 13th
Notes: G A# C D E F
G# m 13th
Notes: G# B C# D# F F#
Am 13th
Notes: A C D E F# G
Bb m 13th
Notes: Bb C# Eb F G Ab
Bm 13th
Notes: B D E F# G# A
Try playing the arrangement below of the hymn “what a friend we have
in Jesus” while incorporating the extended chords as indicated.
C Bb dim7th /E FM7
C G
C/G G C
G Am7
C Bb dim7th /E F Dm7
C/G Dm7 C
LESSON 6
CHORD PROGRESSION
WITH
In many musical arrangements, you will come across chords that are
not necessarily in the major scale of the key in which the song has
been played.
This cements the reason why you have to master playing songs in all the
12 keys of the keyboard.
C Bb/G C/E F
C Am7 D/F# G
Am7 Bb dim7th /E F Dm
C/G G C
G E/G# Am7
F C/E G G/B
C C/E FM7 D
C/G G C