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harmonising scales

Harmonising scales

To harmonise a scale is to build chords on each note of the scale, using only the notes found in this scale.

Usually a piece or section of music is derived from one scale. This means that all melodies and chords will only use the notes found in the chosen scale.

Frequently the scale that is chosen is a major one. However, any scale could be used.

To write a melody you would use the notes of a scale individually.

To build chords from the notes of your chosen scale you should harmonise the scale at third intervals using only the notes found in your chosen scale.



HARMONISING THE MAJOR SCALE
Chords are built using third intervals.

So, to build a chord on the first note of the C major scale ‘C’, you would add the note that is a third higher than ‘C’. This is ‘E’.

C : D : E

 1 : 2 : 3

Next, add the note which is a third higher than ‘E’.

This is ‘G’ and results in a chord built on the first note of the scale containing the notes C:E:G.

When you continue this process on each note of the C major scale you get the following combinations of notes.
G     A    B    C    D    E      F    G
E     F    G    A     B    C     D    E
C     D    E    F     G    A     B    C

These combinations of notes have the following chord names:
C   Dm   Em   F   G   Am   Bo   C

m = minor chord

o = diminished chord (1:b3:b5)

This results in the  formula:  M m m M M m 0 M

M = Major chord

m = minor chord

o = diminished chord
This formula can be applied to any major scale. It will tell you the type of chord that is built on each of its notes. For example the chord built on the third note of any major scale will always be a minor (m).


When you add another note, once again a third up from the previous one, you get a series of chords each built of four notes. Below is the formula to name these chords in the major scale:

Maj7   m7   m7   Maj7   7   m7   Screen Shot 2014-03-24 at 08.18.47   Maj7

Screen Shot 2014-03-24 at 08.18.47 = m7b5

The table below shows all the three and four note chords in all major scales.

harmonised


HARMONISING the ‘A Harmonic Minor’ scale
If your chosen scale was ‘A’ Harmonic Minor the notes of the scale would be:

A B C D E F G# A
Chords are built using third intervals. So, to build a chord on the first note of the scale ‘A’, you would add the note which is a third higher. This is ‘C’.

Next you would add the note which is a third higher than ‘C’. This is ‘E’ and results in a chord built on the first note of the scale containing the notes A:C:E.

When you continue this process on each note of the scale you get the following combinations of notes.

These combinations of notes have the following chord names:

+ = augmented chord (1:3:#5)
This results in the following formula:

m o + m M M o m

+ = augmented chord (1:3:#5)

M = major chord (1:3:5)

m = minor chord(1:b3:5)

o = diminished chord (1:b3:b5)

This formula can be applied to any harmonic minor scale. It will tell you the type of chord that is built on each of its notes.

For example the chord built on the third note of any harmonic minor scale will always be an augmented (+).
NOTE – All scales can be harmonised by using the same method.

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© Carlos Thrale 2014 / 2020

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Guitar & Bass Lessons by Carlos Thrale
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Sean Montgomery
Sean Montgomery
21:56 05 Sep 20
I decided to use the lockdown period to learn to play the electric guitar - something that I have always wanted to do and certainly a skill that I felt would benefit me in my role as leader of the Product Management team at Roland Europe. Having had a traditional music education, I was unsure how effective online lessons would be. I needn't have worried. Carlos has a great set up which enables him to clearly see and hear everything that I am doing 150 miles away! Carlos is a truly great player with the ability to inspire - I always look forward to putting into practice what I have learnt in our lessons together.
Adam Larke
Adam Larke
11:21 13 Jun 20
Carlos is an amazing guitar teacher and player - I’ve learnt more over the past 6 months with Carlos than I have for years & years of learning songs and teaching things to myself. Also switched to skype lessons during corona virus lockdown and they are brilliant!Thanks Carlos ✌️🎸
David Weston
David Weston
17:09 11 Jun 20
Carlos is very good at sharing his vast wealth of knowledge and skills on the guitar. After years of self study I finally decided to get some one to one lessons. I feel I have learnt more in the last 2 months than I did in the previous 10 years trying to teach myself guitar. Always patient and encouraging during the lessons. I would recommend Carlos equally to a beginner as to someone who has been playing for years if you really want to start or greatly improve your guitar playing.
Henri Allen
Henri Allen
08:26 13 Feb 20
I have been with Carlos for many years and he has taken me through many grades, whilst always providing interesting and fun lessons. He is patient and will help you through, no matter how hard you find it! A great tutor for anyone!
Floribus Luxury Flowers
Floribus Luxury Flowers
12:38 04 Feb 20
Our Son has been having electric guitar lessons with Carlos for a couple of years now. He started off playing and learning for fun but has more recently being going through his grades achieving distinctions in his exams with Carlos’s expert tuition. My Son absolutely loves his lessons and his face often lights up in awe of Carlos’s musical talents during their ‘playing for fun’ sessions. Carlos is extraordinarily patient and will go over the same thing as many times as necessary when my son hits a stumbling block. My son finds his lessons both fun and informative and always leaves full of excitement and a bit more confident each time. As a parent I have found Carlos an absolute pleasure to deal with, his musical talent and knowledge is second to none and I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone. In fact I have recommended to a couple of friends already whose children are now also enjoying their lessons.
Simon Brenchley
Simon Brenchley
22:34 26 Jan 20
excellent tuition with endless patience and charmlook forward to each lesson every weekthe guidance and support is fabulous with noticeable progress from a complete novice
shaun monk
shaun monk
11:27 26 Jan 20
Patient and encouraging. Each lesson is well structured and supports student development week-by-week. Enables Grades to be achieved alongside fun sessions. Lucky to have him in the locality.
Andrew Denison
Andrew Denison
17:48 13 Jan 20
Carlos kept me on my toes but in a kind and helpful way. He also made superb cheese and tomato sandwiches...
Rose Smith
Rose Smith
11:40 31 Dec 19
Carlos has taught me to play electric and acoustic guitar. He is very is very patient and his passion for guitar has inspired me to keep improving. I always really enjoy my lessons.
Kate Frith
Kate Frith
12:08 28 Nov 19
Amazing Electric guitar teacher.My daughter has always loved her lessons with Carlos. His relaxed approach has resulted in fantastic exam grades together with imparting an all round musical education and understanding that has extended beyond the guitar in to her GCSE music and improv Jazz piano playing.
Nicola Meller
Nicola Meller
20:56 20 Nov 19
Structured lessons, great tuition and guidance. A very knowledgable teacher to learn from. Thank you Carlos

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