Description
After we harmonize the scale we wind up with a chord built or rooted on every note of the scale. We label each chord with the number of the scale degree it is buit on. This scale and it's chords are called a key signature.
We use the numbers of the scale degrees to label the chords in a chord progression. We also useRoman Numerals to number the chords: upper case for Major chords, lower case for Minor (and diminished). We also refer to the chords by these names which relate to their function in a chord progression:
Therefore, a Tonic chord is a chord built on the 1st note of the scale. Therefore, a Dominant chord is a chord built on the 5th note of a scale. Remember that anywhere you can find the three notes that make a C major chord (c, e, g) is a I Tonic chord. Likewise, anywhere on the guitar you can find to play the notes (d, f, a) is a D minor chord and therefore the ii chord in the key of C major. And so on for all the chords we built from the C major scale.
Here are some tutorials that can help you visualize these chords all over the fretboard:
Lesson Info
