Chord Families (HELP)

I am trying to put together some practice sheets for learning chords and I want to arrange them by chord familes (Key). I understand how to get seven of them by doing the maj, min, min, maj, maj, min , dim , maj thing. Where I am getting confused is how I work out additional chords. For instance, In Key of C, I get " C, D min, E min, F, G, A min, B dim and C. I often see G7 subbed for B dim and other chords added as well. How do I determine which additional chords to add for each key? Here is a sample of what I'm trying to do but it needs more chords. I think it helps me to learn the chords better by work out these sheets. By the way I'm a lefty so the sample will look backwards to most of you.

Thanks

Mike K

This might help: http://www.thecipher.com/speller.html#top

I was checking this site out today and it's an interesting take on music theory.

Actually I just realized that chart doesn't offer any other chords, but it might be a helpful resource anyway.

heymak said:

I understand how to get seven of them by doing the maj, min, min, maj, maj, min , dim , maj thing. Where I am getting confused is how I work out additional chords. For instance, In Key of C, I get " C, D min, E min, F, G, A min, B dim and C. I often see G7 subbed for B dim and other chords added as well. How do I determine which additional chords to add for each key?

Click to expand...

I think you're on the right track. In any key there is a pattern to the triads (three-note chords) that corresponds to the note from the scale, or the "degree":

1 = major
2 = minor
3 = minor
4 = major
5 = major
6 = minor
7 = diminished

The next step is to go beyond three-note chords and get into the world of four-note chords. That's where G7 comes from... it's a four-note chord. You get them by tacking on an extra note on the end of the usual triad.

And, like triads, there's a pattern:

1 = major 7th
2 = minor 7th
3 = minor 7th
4 = major 7th
5 = dominant 7th
6 = minor 7th
7 = half-diminished 7th (also called a "minor 7th, flat 5")


So, in the key of C, you've got your C chord. But you also have a Cmaj7 if you want it. Likewise, your Dm can be extended to a Dm7, your F can be an Fmaj7, etc. The tricky part is the "5" chord, which is G in your example. That one doesn't get extended to a Gmaj7 like all the other major triads. Instead, it's a G7 (no "maj" involved), which is also called a "dominant 7" chord.

Hope that helps a bit and didn't just confuse the heck out of you.

JJ

Thanks guys. Ukulele JJ that's the kind of thing I was looking for. I am a complete music novice except for a year of grade school band 4 decades ago. This site has already help me a ton. Does this look alright?

Heymak, what software are you using to make those slick chord sheets? I've been looking for something like that. Thanks in advance,

kayakdiver said:

Heymak, what software are you using to make those slick chord sheets? I've been looking for something like that. Thanks in advance,

Click to expand...

It's a free program called Paint.net with the fonts combinumerals added and a blank chords sheet. Found them all using google.

here's a couple of links (under my signature), one of which is composed of practice sheets in designated keys
to help you gain familiarity and dexterity in learning and changing chords.

Enjoy,

Uncle Rod Higuchi said:

here's a couple of links (under my signature), one of which is composed of practice sheets in designated keys
to help you gain familiarity and dexterity in learning and changing chords.

Enjoy,

Click to expand...

Thanks and I have seen and am using them. Part of this is an exercise in learning about chord theory and also for me to have something made for a lefty. I didn't want to just transpose your chords to lefty and not know why they go together. Again thanks. Your ukulele boot camp was the first thing I printed out to use.

Mike K

Thanks Mike, I'm going to check it out now.