Music Lessons in Intervals and Chords

Music Lessons in intervals and chords help musicians recognize, the different intervals and intervals that are used to build chords. An interval is the distance between two notes e.g. C to C# is one fret apart and is called an interval of a minor 2nd.

A Major 2nd has a distance of being two frets apart, C to D and has an interval of a Major second.

Intervals

Intervals Chart

In this lesson on intervals the 1st measure shows a minor 2nd, C to C#, 1fret apart.

The 2nd measure has a Major 2nd, 2 frets apart.

Measure 3 is a Major 3rd, 4 frets apart.

Measures 4, 5, 6, are all minor 3rd, 3 frets apart.

Measures 7, 8, 9 are Major and minor 3rds

Measure 10 has a Perfect4 (6frets apart) and a diminished5th (6 frets apart)any perfect interval that is flattened or made smaller by a half step becomes a diminished interval

Measure 11 has a Per5th(7frets apart) and a min6 (8frets apart)

Measure 12 has a Maj6 (9frets apart) and a min7th (10frets apart)

Measure 13 has a Maj7th, (11 frets apart) and Perfect otaves (12 frets apart)

Music Lessons on Building Major Chords

Building Major Chords.

Intervals are very important and useful in chord construction. A triad consists of three notes.

The intervals that are used are a Maj 3rd an a minor 3rd.ref Finale Building maj and min Chords

In Measure 1 we form a Cmaj triad by stacking Maj and min 3rd intervals together. The 1st two notes (C to E) forms a Maj 3rd intervals, then we form the min 3rd intervals (E to G) for the second part. When the two intervals areput together a C triad is formed.

Measure 2 has an F chord, the F and an A notes form the Maj3rd interval and the A and C notes form the min 3rd interval.

Measure 3 has a G chord, the G and B notes form the Maj 3rd intervals and the B and D notes form the min 3rd intervals

When we need to form any Maj triad we will use the Maj3rd + the min3rd to form the basic Major triad.

Music Lesson on Building min Chords:

Building min Chords

In building the C minor chord note that a min3rd and a Maj 3rd intervals are used.

In measure 1 the Cmin triad is formed by stacking the C and Eb notes to form the min3rd intervals, then for the 2nd part,the Eb and G are stacked to form the Maj 3rd intervals.

In measure 2 the F min triad is formed by stacking the F and Ab notes to form the min 3rd intervals, then the Ab and C notesform the Maj 3rd for the 2nd part.

In measure 3 the G and Bb form the min3rd intervals and the Bb and D form the Maj 3rd intervals to form the Gmin chord.

Whenever we need to form the minor chord, think! min3rd + Maj 3rd and we have our basic minor triad.

Music Lesson on Arpeggios

Arpeggios

Arpeggios or broken chords assist musicians to practice their chords and scales.

This practice of arpeggios drills helps in building your skills.Ref Finale Arpeggios

In the 1st measure there is a GMaj triad and the G arpeggios are written out for you.

Measure 2 has a Gmi triad and the Gmi arpeggios are written out.

Measure 3 has a CMaj and its respective arpeggios.

Measure 4 Mas a Cmin triad and its arpeggios.

Measure 5 has an FMaj triad and its arpeggios.

Measure 6 has an Fmin triad and its arpeggios.

Summary of Music Lessons

Review the Maj, minor, Diminished and Perfect intervals. Remember a Maj3rd(C to E) + a min 3rd(E to G)= CMaj chorda minor 3rd(C to Eb) + a Maj 3rd(Eb to G) = Cmin triad. Go through this lesson and grasp the jist of what is being said here.

Time to go to our next music lesson on: The Diminished 7th Chord

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