Diatonic Triads
Using G as the example key
Scale of G major must contain the scale notes of A B C D E F# G.
So as the chords are played to harmonize with the notes of the scale
the chord progression is modified thus:-
A chord has C# so it becomes C to give Amin
B major has an Eb which is altered to a D to make Bmin
C contains C E G so is unaltered
D contains D F# A so is unaltered
E chord has G# which is altered to G to give Emin
F# chord has F# Bb C# are modified to F# A C to give f#dim or C (Eb) F# A - f#dim7
G the root chord is G B D
illustrating this on the fingerboard:-
They workmost effectively as passing through chords to one of the main chords
The following moves should be practiced using the Bar shape, D shape and F shape
chord formation of the root chord.
the sequence in G major is:- G - Am - Bm - C - D - Em - F#dim - G
the sequence in C major is:- C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - Bdim - C
the sequence in D major is:- D - Em - Fm - G - A - Bm - Cdim - D
In a simple tune the melody will move from the G part to a C part to a D part
and resolve back to a G part. From the diatonic chords above differing routes
can be chosen according to taste and context
e.g. to get from G to C moving upward using G diatonic triads G - Am - Bm - C
illustrating this with a forward backward roll :-
e.g. to get from G to C moving downward using diatonic triads
G Fdim Em D C from the G diatonic triads
or
G F Em Dm C from the C diatonic triads
The latter route above is very common in Bluegrass music.
Working out the pattern from G F Em Dm C
- we have start major chord,
- down two frets(major form),
- down one fret change to minor form,
- down two frets (same minor form),
- down two frets change to Major.
So going from D back to G using this pattern (mj, 2fretsmj, 1fretmin, 2fretmin, 2fretmaj,)
is D C Bm Am G
Practice playing the sequence D - C - Bm - Am - G starting
with the F shape,
then the Bar shape
and finally the D shape chord the remembering the pattern above
or D up the board
For slower speed tunes try playing variations on this sequence
listen to the sound files to get the timing
Four beats on the bass string and a strum across the chord for four beats
