Description
In this next part we'll be looking at a D minor chord and how notes can be added to it from the C scale. Hopefully part 1 made some sense and you're ready to move on. If you haven't looked at part 1, I strongly suggest you do before checking out part 2.
Previously we had the notes in the C scale ( C D E F G A B ) run a race with C coming first. Now imagine, if you would, another race is run with all of the same notes but this time D comes 1st. Here's the results of that one: D is 1st, E came 2nd, followed by F in 3rd, G is 4th, A is 5th, B is 6th, and now C is 7th.
Wow, C is now 7th??? This is only because we've ordered the notes in the C scale with D coming first (yes! it always remains alphabetical). It will make more sense as we start making some chords out of it. Ready?
OK, all of the notes of the C scale will be used here. First, let's see what becomes of the TRIAD (we'll look into triads properly later on). This is the 1st, 3rd, & 5th. In this case, the race was won by D so it gets the honor of being 1st. Our D minor chord will look like this: D - 1st, F - 3rd, & A - 5th. The most popular D minor chord shape has the notes in this arrangement: D A D F. As you can see it includes a different arrangement than the C major chord but the 1, 3, 5 is there nevertheless. Let's start making some chords.
We'll start by adding a G or 4th to our D minor chord. This becomes a Dmin with a 4th. Next, let's add a B or 6th; now it's a Dmin with a 6th. Try the same with a C or 7th; Dmin with a 7th. Now for the 2nd, I thought it would be easier to add this one elsewhere. Let me explain: the 2nd is an E note. Well, we can add this note by playing the E string open (the thin E string not the thick E string). Also, there's a 4th (G) handy on the same string on the third fret. These are all in the tab notation so don't fret (excuse the pun).
You may have noticed that we're not playing the F note on the D string. This is because it's a difficult voicing to play. We can get by without it and it's not really needed at this stage.
The sound example is as follows: D minor, Dmin with 4 (on G string), Dmin with 6, Dmin with 7, Dmin with 2, and at no extra cost Dmin with 4 (on E string).
Lesson Info
