Keys, Scales, Chords, and Circle of Fifths
Chords for Songs
A song gets its pitches from the scale of its key and rearranges the pitches to make its melody, or tune, and its harmonies. The seven pitches of the scale may be arranged in many different orders. The scale has a tonal center, or tonic, that becomes the key of the scale and of the song.
Guitarists use chords from the scale to accompany the song. Hundreds of songs can be played using only one chord, two chords, or three chords.
1. The most important chord in a song is the I chord, built on the tonic or first pitch of the scale.
2. The second most important chord in a song is the V7 chord, built on the dominant or fifth pitch of the scale.
3. The third most important chord in a song is the IV chord, built on the subdominant or fourth pitch of the scale.
Other chords are used when the songs needs different chords for the correct sound and style of the song.
Guitarists use chords from the scale to accompany the song. Hundreds of songs can be played using only one chord, two chords, or three chords.
1. The most important chord in a song is the I chord, built on the tonic or first pitch of the scale.
2. The second most important chord in a song is the V7 chord, built on the dominant or fifth pitch of the scale.
3. The third most important chord in a song is the IV chord, built on the subdominant or fourth pitch of the scale.
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 the I, IV, and V7 chords from one key to the I, IV, and V7 chords of another key. When the key and chords change, the scale and melody pitches of the song also change. Many guitar players change the key and chords in a song to a different key and chords to fit the comfortable singing range of the singers or to use the guitarist’s favorite chords.
Keys and Circle of Fifths
As you play more and more songs, you will encounter many different keys. In the Circle of Fifths chart (below), 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. |