Likewise, the interval between notes E and F is also a semitone apart. This is because the interval between notes B and C is only a semitone apart. Notice that the A Major scale uses notes C#, F# and G#. To create the A major scale, we again use our major scale interval pattern of semitones and tones. With that in mind, let’s now analyse another example.īelow is the A major scale. The method described above can be used to workout the chords of all other major keys. Note that in all major keys, chords ii, iii, and vi are minor chords.

If you use each of those scale degrees you create the following chords: The notes of the C major scale above are also referred to as scale degrees. Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – SemitoneĬ MAJOR SCALE The Chords in the key of C Major This major scale is based upon the following interval pattern of semitones and tones: Below are the notes of the C major scale. Improvising – If you know the scale tone chords of the key of the song, you can choose the appropriate scale to improvise with.īefore looking at the scale tone chords of all major keys, let’s first analyse what a major key consists of.Figuring out songs by ear – It simplifies the process as it is likely that many of the chords in the song are scale tone chords.Song writing – knowing what chords are in a key, makes it easier to create a chord progression for your song that works well.It is important for you to know these scale tone chords. This is because each key has a specific set of chords called the scale tone chords. Likewise, in a song in G major, you may have noticed chords G, C and D appearing regularly. You may have noticed that when you play a song in C major, chords C, F and G often appear.

All chords in c major