In Western music, the major scale is a diatonic scale that consists of seven different pitch classes, which are separated by whole and half steps. The pitch classes in a major scale are arranged in a specific pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
For example, the C major scale consists of the pitch classes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. The intervals between these pitch classes are:
- C to D: whole step (2 half steps)
- D to E: whole step
- E to F: half step (1 half step)
- F to G: whole step
- G to A: whole step
- A to B: whole step
- B to C: half step
In addition to the major scale, there are also minor scales, which have a different pattern of whole and half steps.
Harmonised chords
Harmonised chords are chords that are created by stacking thirds on top of each pitch class in a scale. For example, in the key of C major, the chords would be:
- C major: C, E, G
- D minor: D, F, A
- E minor: E, G, B
- F major: F, A, C
- G major: G, B, D
- A minor: A, C, E
- B diminished: B, D, F
These chords are known as the diatonic chords of the major scale, and they can be used to harmonize melodies written in the key of C major.
10 common chord progressions
Here are ten common chord progressions in Western popular music:
- I-IV-V: This progression uses the chords built on the first, fourth, and fifth scale degrees of a major scale. For example, in the key of C major, the chords would be C major, F major, and G major. This progression is common in blues and rock music.
- I-vi-IV-V: This progression starts with the tonic chord (I), moves to the relative minor chord (vi), then to the subdominant chord (IV), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be C major, A minor, F major, and G major. This progression is common in pop and rock music.
- ii-IV-V: This progression starts with the supertonic chord (ii), moves to the subdominant chord (IV), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be D minor, F major, and G major. This progression is common in blues and rock music.
- iii-vi-ii-V: This progression starts with the mediant chord (iii), moves to the relative minor chord (vi), then to the supertonic chord (ii), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be E minor, A minor, D minor, and G major. This progression is common in jazz and blues music.
- IV-I-V: This progression starts with the subdominant chord (IV), moves to the tonic chord (I), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be F major, C major, and G major. This progression is common in pop and rock music.
- vi-IV-I-V: This progression starts with the relative minor chord (vi), moves to the subdominant chord (IV), then to the tonic chord (I), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be A minor, F major, C major, and G major. This progression is common in pop and rock music.
- ii-IV-I-V: This progression starts with the supertonic chord (ii), moves to the subdominant chord (IV), then to the tonic chord (I), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be D minor, F major, C major, and G major. This progression is common in pop and rock music.
- iii-vi-IV-V: This progression starts with the mediant chord (iii), moves to the relative minor chord (vi), then to the subdominant chord (IV), and finally to the dominant chord (V). In the key of C major, the chords would be E minor, A minor, F major, and G major. This progression is common in jazz and blues music.
- IV-vi-iii-IV: This progression starts with the subdominant chord (IV), moves to the relative minor chord (vi), then to the mediant chord (iii), and finally back to the subdominant chord (IV). In the key of C major, the chords would be F major, A minor, E minor, and F major. This progression is common in pop and rock music.
- ii-IV-vi-iii-IV-V: This progression starts with the supertonic chord (ii), moves to the subdominant!
