i've been searching every post about chords and i still haven't found an answer to my question...more on the lines of music theory. i know there are many types of chords, like major, minor etc. My question is tho, when u use major chords does it require that u well be writing in a major scale ? or minor chords in a major scale? does it differ or even matter? hopefully someone well understand what iam trying to ask.

cheers =)

nope, each scale doesnt matter if major or minor, includes some major and some minor chords...also some diminished etc...

in MAJOR scales:
the first chord is major (named I)
Second and third chords are minor (named ii and iii)
fourth and fifth are major (IV and V)
sixth is minor (vi)
seventh is diminished (vii°)
and the last is repeat of first, so it's major (I)

in MINOR scales:
first is minor (i)
second is diminished (ii°)
third is major (III)
fourth and fifth are minor (iv and v)
sixth and seventh are major (VI and VII)
the last is a repeat of the first so it's minor (i)

here you can see that even writing in minor scale you can still use major chords and if you're ok to go with only two chords you can write in for example D Minor scale but use only major chords

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In laymen's terms:

If you play a B-minor triad with your left hand, then you play a G-major triad with your left hand (these are both being played as your right hand plays around a melody in the scale of B-minor), you are still in B-minor, since G-major -fits- into B-minor. Get it? G and B and D are all in B-minor, but since your tonic, or base note, is B, and your melody is in B-minor, the G-major triad is technically in B-minor.

This is obviously a simplification, but hopefully it'll clarify.

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wow, thanks alot guys...that really cleared up alot of questions

Let me jump on the bandwagon now...

I'm learning my scales and chords, big job it is.

I'm trying to understand the big picture.

When I use a certain scale, does this mean i should only use those particular keys, and chords that fit in the keys of that scale.

Is that why I learn scales, to know what notes/chords sound good together?

Do i need to know them, from what I've gathered it's quite important.

My favourite is the C major scale

quote:

Originally posted by ralpheeee When I use a certain scale, does this mean i should only use those particular keys, and chords that fit in the keys of that scale. Is that why I learn scales, to know what notes/chords sound good together?

yes, if you use other tones they'll simply sound off but with experiments you can (i think theoretically) add a note that would work with the rest of the scale...but I doubt it...

quote:

Originally posted by ralpheeee My favourite is the C major scale

one would think A minor is easier...
A minor = A B C D E F G
C Major = C D E F G A B

which is easier? :P

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There are definitely major chords to be had in pieces written in minor keys. The trick is that you have to resolve back to minor to maintain the sad/wistful sounds associated with trance.

quote:

When I use a certain scale, does this mean i should only use those particular keys, and chords that fit in the keys of that scale.

Not necessarily, sometimes a note that doesn't fit into the scale has to be written in to maintain coherency. This is called, at least in sheet music terms, an accidental, and is fairly common in music.

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quote:

Originally posted by BOOsTER yes, if you use other tones they'll simply sound off but with experiments you can (i think theoretically) add a note that would work with the rest of the scale...but I doubt it... one would think A minor is easier... A minor = A B C D E F G C Major = C D E F G A B which is easier? :P

Ha Ha thanks Booster, I just learned a new scale!!

So what scales do people use, are there certain ones which are better than others.

Last edited by ralpheeee on Feb-02-2006 at 00:22

Different scales and chords create different moods in the song.
Minor Scales/Chords sound not as happy as Majors

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So basicaly you are saying, try them all out and see for yourself.

Correct?

I was hoping for an easier answer

So basicaly you are saying, try them all out and see for yourself.

Correct?

I was hoping for an easier answer

an easier answer to how the sound of chords invoke feelings or moods ????

Booster gave you all the ammo you need above to get started. Not much more I can explain really.

Just play some 2 or 3 chord sequences and try to make them all blend together so they sound in harmony with each other. Then play a short melody using notes from the scale for each chord.

For trance music I would usually use an arpreggiator running on the chords which I would play using a pad/string type instrument.

What chords I use all depend on what type of mood I am in and what type of mood I want for the song. Happy Songs or Sad Songs or Crazy Songs

Most Chords are either 3 or 4 notes played together at the same time, so on a piano for instance you could just randomly pick 3 or 4 keys for a chord until you find the ones that sound in harmony or in tune. Repeat this until you have found 3 or 4 or 5 chords that build up or down when played in a sequence.

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Last edited by Bedlam-UK on Feb-02-2006 at 04:04