The Secret Power of I, IV, V (and beyond!)

Description

In this lesson, we begin to look at how a 'key' is constructed, as regards the chords that will likely be used to accompany music played in that key.

We start with the key of C.

In the key of C, the 'One Chord' is C.

Make a numbered list, 1 through six. Starting with C in position number 1, fill in the letters in alphabetical order.

Find the Three Major Chords
in the Key of C

1 = C

2 = D

3 = E

4 = F

5 = G

6 = A

These letter names will correspond with the first six tones of the major scale in the key of C.

Circle number 1, number 4, and number 5. You'll end up with C, F and G.

That's your 'One, Four, Five', or in other words, those are the three major chords that work together to accompany the vast majority of basic songs in the key of C.

In this lesson, we see these 3 chord go to work with the simple song, Twinkle Twinkle.

But don't stop there. Try applying these 3 chords to any number of basic songs you can think of. Oh Susannah, You Are My Sunshine, This Land is Your Land, Happy Birthday, the list goes on virtually forever!

(C) Twinkle (C) Twinkle (F) little (C) star

(F) How I (C) wonder (G) what you (C) are

(C) Up a..(F)..bove the (C) world so (G) high

(C) Like a (F) diamond (C) in the (G) sky

(C) Twinkle (C) twinkle (F) little (C) star

(F) How I (C) wonder (G) what you (C) are

*************

Note: This is lesson #2 in a series of 11 lessons on Basic Chord Theory for guitar.
If you happened to join us partway through, feel free to go back to Lesson 1 to catch up! (click)