Each key has a group of notes that sound good together. This group of notes is called the scale. Each key also has a group of chords that sound good together. These chords are called relative chords.
Each step of the major scale has a chord that is the same letter as that step. The 1, 4, and 5 steps are major. The 2, 3, and 6 steps are minor. The seldom-used 7th is diminished.
In the key of C major, the relative major chords are C, F, and G (1, 4, and 5). The relative minor chords are Dm, Em, and Am (2, 3 and 6). The B diminished chord is also a relative chord.
It is important to know what the relative chords are in the keys you most often play in. This makes it easier to figure songs out by ear and makes for a better player in almost every area of playing guita
| Key | 1 chord | 4 chord | 5 chord | 2 chord | 3 chord | 6 chord |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | F | G | Dm | Em | Am |
| G | G | C | D | Am | Bm | Em |
| D | D | G | A | Em | F#m | Bm |
| A | A | D | E | Bb | C#m | F#m |
| E | E | A | B | F#m | G#m | C#m |
| F | F | Bb | C | Gm | Am | Dm |
Any of the 1, 4 or 5 chords can be played as a 7th chord. The 5 chord is most often played as a 7th.
Folk and country music sometimes use the 2 chord as a major instead of a minor. The 2 chord would be used between the 1 and 5 chord. For example: C-D-G7.
Memorise the 1, 4, and 5 chord sounds. Once you can easily hear that, move onto adding the 2, 3, and 6 chords. It's a good idea to listen to music and try to figure out the chord progressions. The more you do it the easier it becomes.
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1, 4 & 5 Chords |
Soundfile is C, F, G repeated (1,4, 5)
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Explanation of Minor Key Chords |
The main minor keys a guitar player usually uses is Am, Dm, and Em. Most songs are in major keys but some are in minor.
The main relative chords in minor keys are 1, 4, and 5 like the majors are. The main difference is that the 1 and 4 are minor and the 5th is major.
Each relative minor scale has the same key signature as its relative major key. The relative minors also can use the chords of its relative major. C majors relative chords are: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and B diminished. The relative minor of C major is A minor. So, in the key of Am all of C majors relative chords can be used plus E, which is the 5 chord for Am.
| Key | 1 | 4 | 5 | chords in relative major key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Am | Am | Dm | E | C Dm Em F G Am |
| Em | Em | Am | B | G Am Bm C D Em |
| Dm | Dm | Gm | A | F Gm Am Bb C Dm |
| Bm | Bm | Em | F# | D Em F#m G A Bm |
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Minor Key 1, 4 & 5 Chords |
Soundfile is Am, Dm, E major repeated (1,4, 5)
Listen closely to the 1, 4, and 5 chords in minor keys. Memorise the sounds of the chord changes.
Often the 5 chord in minor keys is played as a dominant 7th. Example: Am, Dm, and E7 chords.
Sometimes other chords are put in a song that is not relative to that key. Sometimes songs change keys (modulate) in the middle of the song. Listen for this carefully.
There are many ways (inversions) to play chords. Listen for these inversions when you hear and play.
In some rock, blues, alternative and other types of music, power chords are sometimes used. Major and minor chords are built 1, 3, and 5. Power chords don't have the 3 so they aren't major or minor. Technically they are simply a perfect 5th interval. They are used so much in the rhythm sections in bands to replace chords, they are defined as chords.
Power chords are played on two or three strings, depending on if the octave note is played. The root of the power chord is played on the 6th, 5th, or 4th strings.
The index finger plays the root note (same name as the power chord) and usually it's the ring finger that plays the 5. The 5 is two frets higher up and one string down towards the floor. If you also play the next string down at the same fret you will have the octave of the root.
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Power Chords |
Soundfile is examples of power chords