JOHN LEE MUSIC INSTRUCTION

The Major Scale is constructed from the Chromatic Scale based on the Major Scale Formula of 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1. The Diagram above shows the C Chromatic and Major Scales. Play the Major Scale on 1 String on your Instrument beginning with a C note near or at Open Position. Sing the Solfege and the Pitches of the Scale as you ascend and descend the Fingerboard. Notice that the Major Scale has a happy and positive sound. This scale is used in many genres of Music ranging from Nursery Rhymes to Modern Pop and Rock.

The C Major Scale is a widely used Scale. Songs using the C Major Scale in the Key of C include “Let It Be” by The Beatles, “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “With Arms Wide Open” by Creed, “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum, “ S omewhere Over The Rainbow” by I srael Kamakawiwo’ole, “Superman” by Five for Fighting, and “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon.  Practise playing the Scale over these Songs and observe how the Scale harmonizes with the Songs.

The G Major Scale is another widely used Scale. Songs using the G Major Scale in the Key of G include “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, “More Than A Feeling” by Boston, “Silent Lucidity” by Queensryche, “Let Her Cry” by Hootie and the Blowfish, “Creep” by Radiohead and “Let It Go” by Demi Lovato. Practise playing the Scale over these Songs and observe how the Scale harmonizes with the Songs.

Every Note of the Major Scale relates to a Chord in a given Key. The C Major Scale spells the Notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B. In the Key of C, the Diatonic Chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdim. Note that the I, IV and V Chords are always Major; and the II, III and VI always Minor. The VII is a Diminished Chord. A Triad is a 3-Note Chord, constructed with the Triad Formula of 1, 3 and 5. Play these Chords in the Key of C, and notice how well they relate to the Pitches of the C Major Scale; thus the reference to them as Diatonic.

The Major Scale is the cornerstone of Modern Popular Music. Also known as the Ionian Mode, it is behind our Nursery Rhymes. Like many Musical Scales, it is made up of 7 notes. The Major Scale has a bright, positive and happy sound. The picture shows the G Major Scale showing the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E & F#. These pitches are formed from Root note G with the Major Scale Formula 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 & 1. Or with intervals of Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole and Half steps. We obtain the Relative Minor from the Major Scale by locating the 6 th  Scale degree. In the picture, the Relative Minor Scale of G Major is E Minor. Beginning from E, the Minor Scale has the pitches E, F#, G, A, B, C & D. The Formula for the Minor Scale is 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 & 2. Or Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole and Whole steps. The Natural Minor Scale or Aeolian Mode has a dark and sad sound in contrast with the Major Scale. Because the Major Scale and its Relative Minor Scale share th...

The 12 Bar Blues as we know it today originated in the 1800s from the Deep South region of the United States. The 12 Bar Blues is one of the most prominent Chord Progression in Popular Music. This Blues Progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure and duration. It is predominantly based on the I, IV and V chords of a Key and utilizes the Call and Response technique. As the name implies, the 12 Bar Blues has 12 Bars. The first 4 Bars can be termed the Call, the next 4 Bars repeats the Call, and the last 4 Bars is the Response with a slight variation. In the Chord diagram of a 12 Bar Blues in A, the chord progression begins with 4 Bars of A. This is followed by 2 Bars of D, then 2 Bars of A again. The last 4 Bars is the Turnaround consisting of E, D, A and E, going back to A.

  The 12-Bar Blues are the roots of Modern Music. The I, IV, V Chord Progression is used in countless Songs till today. This Progression has evolved in present day to include the VIm Chord, giving it more Color. The Progression may be played in any order. Common forms include I, V, VIm & IV and I, VIm, IV & V. The Diagram above shows the Chords in the Progression in the Key of G on Guitar in Voice-led form. Play the four Diatonic Chords G, C, D & Em in any order, and notice how familiar the Progressions sound to you.