Guitar Chords in the C Major Scale: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the harmony of the C Major Scale is crucial for any guitarist looking to enhance their musical skills. However, it is essential to clarify that there are no chords 'of the C Major Scale.' Instead, the focus should be on the C Major Key, which consists of seven notes. Let's explore the diatonic and non-diatonic chords related to the C Major Key.

Introduction to Chords in the C Major Key

Chords can be divided into two main categories: diatonic and non-diatonic. Diatonic chords are those that can be built from the notes of the C Major Scale or Key. Non-diatonic chords, on the other hand, are chords that cannot be built from these notes. There are numerous diatonic triads and many more diatonic chords to explore. Additionally, there can be multiple dozens, if not over 60 or 70, non-diatonic chords in the key of C and every other key.

Notes and Chords of the C Major Scale

The notes of the C Major Scale are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. From these notes, several chords can be built:

C Major triads: C - E - G C minor: C - E flattened - G C minor: C - E - G C major add 2: C - E - G - D C major 6: C - E - G - A C major 6 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - A C major 7: C - E - G - B C major 7 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - B C major 9: C - E - G - B - D C major 9 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - B - D C major 9 flat 13: C - E - G - B - D - A flattened C major 13: C - E - B - D - A (with a flat 13 or 6, often omitted the 11th for simplicity) C major 7/6: C - E - G - A - B (and its variations)

Key of C Major

The key of C Major has seven major chords: C, F, and G. The chords built from the notes of the C Major Scale can enhance your harmonic understanding and versatility as a guitarist. Here are the specific chords:

C major triads: C - E - G C minor triads: C - E flattened - G C augmented (add 2): C - E - G - D C major 6: C - E - G - A C major 6 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - A C major 7: C - E - G - B C major 7 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - B C major 9: C - E - G - B - D C major 9 flat 5: C - E - G flattened - B - D C major 9 flat 13: C - E - G - B - D - A flattened C major 13: C - E - B - D - A (with the 6/9 omitted for simplicity) C major 7/6: C - E - G - A - B (and its variations)

Exploring Non-Diatonic Chords

While diatonic chords are built from the seven notes of the C Major Scale, non-diatonic chords can add a rich harmonic palette. These include chords that can be added to the scale to create tension and resolution. Some of these include:

C major 9 b5 (C - E - G flattened - B - D) C major 13: (C - E - B - D - A, 11 omitted, with the option to omit the 5th as well) C major 13 11 b5 (C - E - G flattened - B - D - A, 11 omitted, with the option to omit the 5th as well) C major 7/6 (C - E - G - A - B or its variations)

In conclusion, exploring the harmonic possibilities of the C Major Scale can greatly enhance your musical expression as a guitarist. Whether you are playing diatonic or non-diatonic chords, understanding the notes and their functions in the scale will help you create harmonically rich and complex music.