How to Construct a Major Key in Jazz Guitar

Major and minor keys are used frequently in jazz guitar. Making a major key in jazz guitar is different from other types of music. To create a major key in jazz guitar you need to know how to create triads or chords made of three notes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Know the scale of the major you are going to play in. For example, the C Major scale is C-D-E-F-G-A-B.

2. Group the notes together in groups of three or triads with every other note. For a C major key, the first triad is C-E-G, then D-F-A and then B-D-F. These chords are C major, D minor and B diminished.

3. Understand the make up of a major, minor and diminished triad or chord. A major triad moves from a note to a major note and then to a minor note. A minor triad is made by starting on a note, moving to a minor and then to a major note. A diminished triad is a note moving to a minor and then to a second minor note.

4. Create the pattern of major and minor triads. The pattern for a major key is major, minor, minor, major, major, minor and diminished. An example of this in a C major key is C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor and B diminished.

5. Practice this process with all the major scales.