Scales and Keys
In most music, the melody or main tune of a song uses two to seven pitches, tones or sounds, and arranges them to make the melody. The pitches may then be rearranged in many ways for different melodies. These same pitches may combine to make harmony that sounds good with the melody.
Pitches used in a song make up the scale of the song. If a song only uses two pitches, the scale might be bi-tonic. If the scale has five pitches, it is probably pentatonic. Most songs in American music are based on seven pitches of either a major scale or a minor scale. Occasionally, other pitches are added to songs, but they are not in the typical scale of the song.
The most important pitch, tone or sound, in the song is called the tonic or tonal center. The tonic becomes name of the key for a song and its scale.
Pitches used in a song make up the scale of the song. If a song only uses two pitches, the scale might be bi-tonic. If the scale has five pitches, it is probably pentatonic. Most songs in American music are based on seven pitches of either a major scale or a minor scale. Occasionally, other pitches are added to songs, but they are not in the typical scale of the song.
The most important pitch, tone or sound, in the song is called the tonic or tonal center. The tonic becomes name of the key for a song and its scale.
Chords
Guitarists build chords from a song’s scale to accompany the song. Hundreds of songs can be played using only one chord, two chords, or three chords.
One-chord songs are played by using only the I chord.
When you learn both the I chord and V7 chord, you can play dozens of 2-chord songs with the guitar.
3-chord songs are usually built using the I chord, IV chord, and V7 chord.
Songs may be played in different keys by changing chords from one key to the chords of another key. When the key and chords change, the scale and melody pitches of the song also change:
For example, if the song is written in the key of C, but you feel it is a little too low to sing, you simply change the chords to the higher key of D.
- The most important chord in a song is the I chord, built on the tonic or first pitch of the scale.
One-chord songs are played by using only the I chord.
- The second most important chord in a song is the V7 chord, built on the dominant or fifth pitch of the scale.
When you learn both the I chord and V7 chord, you can play dozens of 2-chord songs with the guitar.
- The third most important chord in a song is the IV chord, built on the subdominant or fourth pitch of the scale.
3-chord songs are usually built using the I chord, IV chord, and V7 chord.
- Other chords are used when the songs needs different chords for the correct sound and style of the song.
Songs may be played in different keys by changing chords from one key to the chords of another key. When the key and chords change, the scale and melody pitches of the song also change:
- to fit the comfortable singing range of the singers, or
- to use the guitarist’s favorite chords.
For example, if the song is written in the key of C, but you feel it is a little too low to sing, you simply change the chords to the higher key of D.
- In C, the I chord is C, the IV chord is F, and the V7 chord is G7.
- In D, the I chord is D, the IV chord is G, and the V7 chord is A7.
Keys and Circle of Fifths
As you play more and more songs, you will encounter many different keys. In the Circle of Fifths chart, the nine keys in the top of the chart are more frequently used. The keys that are in the yellow area are less used and more difficult to play. Many guitarists prefer playing songs in keys that use sharps (#) instead of flats (b). The fingerings of the tablatures seem to fit your fingers better.
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"Melody Street: Story and Illustrations" by Betty M Reeves © Copyright 2000
"Melody Street: Playing Guitar" by Betty M Reeves © Copyright 2007 This site © copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Published in the USA by Betty’s Music. |