Theory Help Please

[klp2332]

I need help with the construction of these chord types

All Diatonic Chords
Dominant 9ths

I have no idea about chord construction. Someone save me please.

[jemboyee]

I'll try to keep this brief:

Diatonic means "within the scale." So, for sake of ease we'll use the C Major scale:

C D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Chords are built by stacking 3rds. For example, Cmaj = C + E + G. E is a 3rd above C, and G is a 3rd above E (within the scale of C). You would then repeat this with starting on D, which would give you Dm: D + F + A.

C to E is a major 3rd, whcih is why the chord is C major. D to F is a minor 3rd, which is why it is D minor..... It just occurred to me that this will take a while to effectively get the point across.

Go to this link:

http://www.musiclearning.com/lessonc...ingchords.html

That should assist you with the dirt basics.

[eclecticmage]

As for Dominant 9th chords, It just mean you are playing a dominant chord under the 9th. So in essence, 1 3 5 b7 9 or you can omit the 5th, 1 3 b7 9. In other words play a dominant 7th chord(b7) with the 9th added.

[kennydoe]

I'll chime in with one thing that wasn't explained here...

jemboyeee explained...

C D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

but didn't go further. When it comes to 9, 11 & 13, look at it like the numbers keep going....

C D E F G A B D F A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 11 13
(the rest of the numebrs are never used in chord symbols).

A 9th chord implies that there's also a dominant 7 (or b7 for short)
So a C9 would be 1,3,5 (C, E, G triad) plus b7 & 9 (Bb & D)

if you see the chord symbol says (add 9), you can leave out the b7

(keep in mind that my lower case 'b's are flat signs)

Hope that helps.

~K

[kennydoe]

One more thing, if you see multiple 'tensions' (that's what 9/11/13s are referred to) you can figure out what chord goes with them...

i.e. it's very tough to look at C(add 9, #11, 13), but it's very easy to look at D/C...but it's the same chord. If you have a bass player holding down the bottom, you can do some of your chording up higher on the neck by just playing the top half of the chord.

i hope that's not too confusing.

~K

[Chud]

A phrase i keep in my head:
Major, minor, major, major, minor, major, diminished

It's changes when you get onto modes, but with that you just move along in the list

[Mike7771]

You might also try my site at http:www.guitarknowledgemet.com

[markg5150]

Originally Posted by Mike7771

You might also try my site at http:www.guitarknowledgemet.com

Mike

Don't you mean www.guitarknowledgeNET.com

Mike's site is really useful, make sure you check it out

[kennydoe]

Originally Posted by Chud

A phrase i keep in my head:
Major, minor, major, major, minor, major, diminished

It's changes when you get onto modes, but with that you just move along in the list

what's this?

[vette6600]

^ +1 ........ do you mean M, m, m, M, M, m, dim? im lost lol

[Mike7771]

Originally Posted by markg5150

Mike

Don't you mean www.guitarknowledgeNET.com

Mike's site is really useful, make sure you check it out

Hey you're right Mark thanks for the catch.

Mike

[klp2332]

ahh ive been browsing through some sites recently and iam still confused. Been reading through this topic over and over again. Sort of get it but dont really.

Major Minor, Major, Major, Minor, Major, Diminished. - Whats this? I think i heard this somewhere.
But what vette said. I understand
Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished and back to Major
C D E F G A B D F A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 11 13
So If i wanted to create a C Minor chord
I can go D + F + A?
wait that doesnt make sense i thought it made Dm?
so then whats this "M, m, m, M, M, m, dim" for?
I always thought 1 3 5 = Major Chord
1 3m 5 = Minor
But I never really used this.
See? I really suck at this.
Really confused.
Help Me please.

[klp2332]

Also one thing I cant get my head around to.
Is what exactly does Dominant 9ths mean?
I thought Dominant = V = 5th
5th 9ths????

[klp2332]

One more question. What do I do if I have to construct a chord in a diffrent key. I forgot all my keys right after I finished my theory exam. So I have to take account of the sharps or flats of the key when constructing a chord? Can someone give me an example please.

Thanks

[andy7jem]

Shouldn't that be half diminished (diminished being double flatted 7th) ?
The M m m M M m dim means if you were playing the chords of the scale of C Major you would play;
C Major,D minor,E minor,F Major,G Major(dominant),A minor,B half diminished.
This keeps it all diatonic. Then it gets complex coz this is where the modes rear their ugly head coz each of the chords has its own scale (which become your modes)