3. Major Scale ➜ The 7 Key Chords ➜ Key

C Major Scale

These are the seven notes in the C major scale, displayed below on a piano keyboard.

Major Scale ➜ 7 Key Chords

Each of these seven notes serves as a root note for a key chord (also known as diatonic chords).

Building Chords in the C Major Scale

The 1 Chord – C Major

A major chord consists of three notes: the root note, a major third, and a fifth.

• The root note is C.
• The major third is E (4 notes from C).
• The fifth is G (7 notes from C).

The 2 Chord – D Minor

A minor chord consists of three notes: the root note, a minor third, and a fifth.

• The root note is D.
• The minor third is F (3 notes from D).
• The fifth is A (7 notes from D).

The 3 Chord – E Minor

The 4 Chord – F Major

The 5 Chord – G Major

The 6 Chord – A Minor

The 7 Chord – B Diminished

A diminished chord consists of three notes: the root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth.

• The root note is B.
• The minor third is D (3 notes from B).
• The diminished fifth is F (6 notes from B).

The 7 Key Chords on the Circle of Fifths

The seven key chords of the C major scale are labeled on the Circle of Fifths below.

To remember the chord numbers, use a star pattern:

1. Start on the 1 chord.
2. Move to 2, then 3, then 4, then 5, then 6.
3. The 7 chord is not part of this pattern; it is simply added at the end.

The Concept of Key in Music

The lesson I want to convey is that the 7 notes in the C major scale serve as the root notes for 7 key chords. Together, these 7 notes and their corresponding 7 key chords form the key of C major.

Every song is composed in at least one key. A key is a tonal home base, determining the notes and chords used in a song. Sometimes, songs change keys during progression to:

• Shift the mood (happiness or sadness)
• Create contrast and keep the listener engaged
• Highlight different sections of the song
• Tell a musical story (e.g., from despair to hope)

Later in this course, I will teach you how to transition between keys effectively.

Context

12 NOTES ➜ CIRCLE OF FIFTHS ➜ PENTATONIC SCALE ➜ MAJOR SCALE ➜ 7 KEY CHORDS ➜ KEY

Summary

• The major scale consists of 7 notes.
• The 7 notes in the C major scale serve as the root notes for 7 key chords.
• These 7 notes and their 7 key chords collectively form a key.
  • Every song is written in a specific key, meaning it follows the notes and chords within that key.
• The Circle of Fifths can help identify notes in a major scale and their corresponding seven key chords, using the star pattern.

Goal Achieved: You now understand what a Key is and that every song is written in a Key.