Diatonic Functioning Chord Scales

Minor Keys & Blues

Learning Outcomes

By the end of today’s session, students will be able to: 1. Identify and construct chord scales for minor key chords and progressions 2. Identify and construct chord scales for blues chords and progressions 3. Revise chord scale construction considerations.

Minor Key Chord Scales

•  Because of the different configurations of tonic minor key scales there are more options for diatonic minor key chord scales

•  Diatonic chords in minor keys use diatonic chord scales

•  Avoid note criteria is the same (with the exception of Im7 dorian)

ACTIVITY:

•  Construct complete sets of diatonic chords for the following minor keys:

•  C natural minor •  C harmonic minor •  C melodic minor •  C dorian

C Natural Minor

C Harmonic Minor

C Melodic Minor

C Dorian

Chord Name Scale Im6 Dorian

Minor 1 T9 b3 T11 5 6 Sb7 1

Melodic Minor

1 T9 b3 T11 5 6 T7 1

Im7 Dorian Minor

1 T9 b3 T11 5 T13 b7 1

Natural Minor

1 T9 b3 T11 5 Sb6 b7 1

Im(maj7) Melodic Minor

1 T9 b3 T11 5 T13 7 1

Harmonic Minor

1 T9 b3 T11 5 Sb6 7 1

Chord Name Scale

IIm7 Phrygian 1 Sb2 b3 T11 5 Sb6 b7 1

IIm7(b5) Locrian 1 Sb2 b3 T11 b5 Tb13 b7 1

bIIImaj7 Lydian 1 T9 3 T#11 5 T13 7 1

IVm7 Dorian 1 T9 b3 T11 5 S6 b7 1

IV7 Lydian b7 1 T9 3 T#11 5 T13 b7 1

Mixolydian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

Chord Name Scale V7(b9) Mixolydian

b9,#9,b13 1 Tb9 T#9 3 S4 5 Tb13 b7 1

Vm7 Aeolian 1 T9 b3 T11 5 Sb6 b7 1

bVImaj7 Lydian 1 T9 3 T#11 5 T13 7 1

VIm7(b5) Locrian 1 Sb2 b3 T11 b5 Tb13 b7 1

bVII7 Mixolydian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

bVIImaj7 Ionian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 7 1

Observations

•  Chords with diatonic orientation use diatonic non-chord tones

•  Dominant chords with expected resolution down a perfect 5th use some form of mixolydian

•  Dominant chords with expected resolution other than down a P5th use a lydian b7 chord scale

•  Basically, if the root of a chord is diatonic, think diatonic for the chord scale construction

•  The diatonic pitches associated with minor keys/modes include the natural and raised 6th and 7th of the key.

Activity

•  Begin the minor key chord progression worksheet handout

Blues Chord Scales

•  The chord scales common to blues harmonies are constructed using chord tones and pitches from the blues melodic scale (the minor pentatonic scale)

Chord Name Scale

I7 Mixolydian #9

1 T#9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

Mixolydian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

Im7 Dorian 1 T9 b3 T11 5 T13 b7 1

Lydian b7 (#9)

1 T#9 3 T#11 5 T13 b7 1

IV7 Mixolydian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

Chord Name Scale

V7 Mixolydian 1 T9 3 S4 5 T13 b7 1

Mixo b9 (#9)

1 Tb9 T#9 3 S4 T13 b7 1

Mixo b13 1 T9 3 S4 (5 Tb13) b7 1

Altered 1 Tb9 T#9 3 b5 Tb13 b7 1

V7/II Mixo b9 (#9) b13

1 Tb9 T#9 3 S4 Tb13 b7 1

IIIm7(b5) Locrian 1 Sb2 b3 T11 b5 Tb13 b7 1