January 2012 Archives

In this next series of lessons I will demonstrate some of the most common techniques of combining melody with common chord progressions. 

Now using the C Double Harmonic Minor Scale.

This is created from the iv chord of the Double Harmonic Major Scale.

I am using this scale for some of the themes in my latest film project "Chills".

It's family of chords has wonderful altered chords!

The scale intervals are:

major 2^nd, minor 3^rd, sharp 4^th, perfect 5^th, minor 6^th and major 7^th.

The number formulas is:  R/1, 2, b3, #4, 5, b6, 7

Note names: F, G, Ab, B, C, Db, E, F

The three note family of chords in the key of C are:

F, Ab, C = F minor                          i chord

G, B, Db = G major flat five        IIb5 chord

Ab, C, E = A flat augmented       bIII+ chord

B, Db, F = B suspended flat five   bII7 chord

C, E, G, =    C major                      V chord

Db, F, Ab =  D flat major             bVI chord

E, G, B = E minor                          vii chord

The four note family of chords are:

F, Ab, C, E =      F minor major seventh                               imaj7 chord

G, B, Db, F =     G dominant seventh flat five                        II7b5 chord

Ab, C, E, G =      A flat major seventh augmented            IIImaj7+ chord

B, Db, F, Ab =    D flat dominant seventh-third inversion         bII7 chord

C, E, G, B =       C major seventh                                       Vmaj7 chord

Db, F, Ab, C =   D flat major seventh                               bVImaj7 chord

E, G, B, Db =     E minor sixth                                                vii6 chord

The following piece is created entirely from the notes of the Double Harmonic minor scale and its family of chords.

Figure out the chord progression and then write it in roman numerals. 

Observe the techniques and incorporate in your own compositions. 

Figure out all chords, their voicing's and the melody's interval 

relationship to the chords and itself. Also any counterpoint.

Remember the scale formula and created chord types are always the same for all keys.

(this is true of every scale and its created chord types).

Now using this same chord progression create three variations of your own.

Always transpose all examples and your own examples to each position 

(register) of your instrument (octave). Once your 

comfortable in one key transpose to all 15 keys.

Also get accustomed to writing out all your ideas on the musical staff. 

All materials for personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Copyright © 2012