Learning Outcome:
The successful student will be able to build the natural major scale from the chromatic scale and harmonise it with triads. The natural major scale, also know as Ionian, is the basis of all western music.
The natural major scale is made up of 7 notes of the 12 note chromatic scale. To build the natural major scale from the chromatic scale we use a formula that goes as follows:
Now if we take a look at the notes the formula is pointing out it points out the natural major scale!
Conveniently, the C natural major scale is all of the white keys on a piano!
When it comes to harmonising the natural major scale we build in thirds. This is where you count up in threes across the scale to build a chord.
For example to harmonise the first note C you will count up from C, so: C1 D2 E3.
So you now have C and E creating a C major diad. You continue until you have the chord you want so next you would count: E1 F2 G3. You can now add the G on top of the C and E you already to have with will give you CEG which is a C major triad.
You will continue to do this across the scale to each note until you have harmonized the entire scale in triads.
For example you will now count: D1 E2 F3 and F1 G2 A3. This will give you the next triad DFA which is a minor triad. Here is what it looks like written out:
This formula is what we relate to the chords of the major scale. You can see in the diagram above how this is applied and displayed in the chord symbols above the stave.
Now we’re done, let’s have a quick recap on what we covered: First we looked at how to build the natural major scale from the chromatic scale using TTSTTTS. We then learnt to harmonise the scale in triads building in thirds and finally from this we learnt that the chords of the natural major scale follows the formula Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished.
By Sam F, private tutor in London
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