Scale Tone Chords in the Key of A Major
Using scale tone chord theory based upon the A major scale (see Appendix 2), the most common chords in the key of A major are:
You have learned all of these chord shapes except E and C#m, which are introduced next. Even though there are seven scale tone chords, the G#o chord is relatively uncommon. See the chord chart for this diminished chord shape.
The key of A contains three sharps - F#, C# and G#. The key signature for the key of A major is:
The C Sharp Minor (C#m) Chord
The C#m chord is constructed from the C# major scale (see Appendix 2). Using the minor chord formula on the C# major scale,it can be seen that the C#m chord contains the notes C#, E and G#. When the third note of the C# major scale (F) is flattened it becomes an E note. Play the C#m chord and its two inversions with both your left and right hands in various positions on the keyboard.
C# Minor - Root Position
The following exercise introduces the C#m chord. The right hand plays the chord while the left hand plays an octave accompaniment.
The E Major Chord
The E major chord is constructed from the E major scale (see Appendix 2). Using the major chord formula on the E major scale, gives the notes E, G# and B. Play the E chord and its two inversions with both your left and right hands in various positions on the keyboard.
E Major - Root Position
The following exercise is a turnaround in the of A major, using the I, IIIm, IV and V scale tone chords. The right hand plays the full chords while the left hand plays the chords in arpeggio style.
As discussed in Lesson 6, the chords contained in a 12 Bar Blues are the I, IV and V7 chords. If we wish to play a Blues in A we need to know a new chord - E7.
The E Seventh (E7) Chord
The E7 chord is constructed from the E major scale (See Appendix 2). Using the seventh chord formula on the E major scale, gives the notes E, G#, B and D. Play the four notes of the E7 chord and its three inversions with both your left and right hands, in various positions on the keyboard.
E Seventh - Root Position
The following exercise introduces the E7 chord. The right hand plays the full chords while the left hand plays the chords in arpeggio style.
The following 12 Bar Blues in A introduces 2 new sixth chords - the A sixth (A6) and E sixth (E6). These shapes can be found in the chord chart appendix. To form these sixth chords just add the sixth note to the major chord shape.
Practice improvising or making up your own riffs playing notes from the A Blues scale with your right hand against the left hand part in the previous Blues (or just play the full chord shapes with the left hand).
