Month 6, Lesson 4: Triad Scales in the Keys of C and G Major
Source: Guitar Lessons
Triad Scales in the Keys of C and G Major
Another old time song that just about everyone knows. It is believed to have been written by a gold miner during the California Gold Rush in 1849.
About This Lesson:
When you play a triad, you will very often play the lead or melody note on top of the note stem, or the highest note in pitch. The lower 2 notes are accompaniment notes and add to the fullness in sound of the triad.
Learning Points:
Triads (3-Note Chords):
The Triads are always played as 3 note chords. Most of the time the highest note or the top note on the stem is the lead note, melody note or the note you would sing. The other 2 lower noes on the stem are notes in harmony that fill in the sound of the chord.
In this exercise the rule is that the top note on the stem carries the melody. This will not be true for every song though and this rule is often broken.
Chords Diagrams:
Look carefully at the chord diagrams that are located directly above each Triad. It graphically shows the notes located on the fingerboard where the fingers are placed and what strings are played open.
The Scale of C Major:
The first bar (the top line of notation) contains the C Major scale which starts with the C note on the second string, first fret and ends on the first string eighth fret with a high “C” that is one octave higher than were we started.
The next bar or second line of notation is where you play this same C Major scale, only this time as triads. Notice how the top note of each triad is the same as the corresponding note on the staff located directly above it.
The Scale of G Major:
The third bar (the third line of notation) contains the G Major scale which starts with the G note on the third string, open and ends on the first string third fret with a high “G” that is one octave higher than were we started.
The next bar or fourth line of notation is where you play this same G Major scale, only this time as triads. Notice how the top note of each triad is the same as the corresponding note on the staff located directly above it.
About the Tab Notes:
Nothing to add for this lesson.
Articles You Should Read:
Using down ups is the only way to play them fast enough.
Chords in the Key of C Major
Notes in the C Major Scale
Chords in the Key of G Major
Notes in the G Major Scale
Triads Chords: Be familiar with how they are formed and why.
Moving Your Left Hand Efficiently:
Music Theory You Should Know:
Time Signature
Rest
TAB
TAB Staff
Goals:
Goal #1:
Memorize the triad scales for the keys of C and G Major. Be able to play them smoothly and slowly. Prepare you fingers to make smooth transitions between each triad.
Goal #2:
As you play each triad, say the chord name out loud as you play. The chord name is located above each chord diagram and the chord name is different from the scale note name – they are not the same. Look at the C Scale and the C Scale Triads beneath. Notice the first note the “C” is the same in both staffs, but that quickly changes on the second note. Also note that the 4th note matches the triad, the fifth note does and the 8th note or C matches.
Goal #3:
One you have the triads mastered, play them backwards or in reverse order, then play them forward and immediately backwards without missing a beat.
What You Should Practice This Week:
Basically just memorize each of these triad scales and be able to play them smoothly.
Help Us Out:
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Songs in Downloadable Format:
If you have difficulty reading this score information, we have this score information available free of charge for you with an instant electronic download. Just click on the song title below and you will be taken to our secure server site. You will get a PDF file of the above score complete with the Tab Notes. Be sure to download Adobe Acrobat Reader v6.0 or above. This version will allow you to turn the Tab Layer on or off.
Also you will get the Guitar Pro file. You can download Guitar Pro and get a free trial so you can play along with this song in real time on your computer. If you upgrade to the full version of the song you will have a lot more features available to you, such as the RSE modules which give you realistic guitar files – they sound just like an Acoustic Guitar.
Guitar Pro File – Triad Scales in the Keys of C and G Major
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PDF File – Triad Scales in the Keys of C and G Major
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