Dec 2025
Hearing Diatonic Chords: A Theory Exercise
Play the major scale on one string, then add a third above each note
Key Takeaways
- Play the major scale on one string, then add a third above each note
- This produces the sound of each diatonic chord in the key
- G + B = G major, A + C = A minor, B + D = B minor, etc.
- Great exercise for hearing harmony and understanding chords in a key
Transcription
I want to show you something that's been helpful for me in terms of hearing harmony and finding the chords within a key.
We're going to play the key of G. First, play a simple G major scale on the lowest string, all on one string.
Then, from each note of the G major scale, play up a third. This produces the sound of a chord.
G up a third to B makes a G major chord. A and C makes A minor. B and D makes B minor. C and E makes C major. D and F# makes D major. E and G makes E minor. F# and A suggests either a D major chord in first inversion or an F# diminished sound. Then you're up to G.
Playing the notes together instead of separately really helps you hear each chord in the key.
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