Scales: The D Major Scale Harmonized 3rd and 5th degrees

This lesson is almost identical to the A Major Scale Harmonized 3rd and 5th degree. I have added it in order to show how once one pattern is learned, it can often be used on a different set of strings.

These are highly recognizable sounds often heard in rock and country playing but used also in all forms of music.

The block below consists of chords moving up the fretboard. The first chord has a red line through it to highlight its pattern. The second is in blue, the third in red and so on. These are the chords that are the result of harmonizing the A Major scale 3rd and 5th notes. The theory behind scale harmonization is covered in theory lesson 7.

If you thought of each set of 2 notes as chords, their names (in keeping with the harmonized scale)  would be as follows.

DMaj7 Em7 F#m7 GMaj7 A7 Bm7 C#min7b5 DMaj7


( Please not that the C#min7b5 chord is also known as the C# half diminished chord )

In the MP3 example below, I have played the progression twice. The first time, I have plucked the 2 notes in each chord together. The second time each note is played individually.

Click on the diagram for an MP3 audio example.

Click here if you’re not sure how to read the scale blocks.

Here are some practice ideas. They are aimed at getting you more familiar with these shapes as well as getting your ear to hear some things you may have heard many other players doing in their playing. It is also a great technique exercise.

1) Pluck the chords in the following order. Think in groups of three.

(1 2 3)  (2 3 4)  (3 4 5)  (4 5 6)  (5 6 7)  (6 7 8)

2) Pluck the chords in the exact opposite of example 1. Think in groups of three.

(8 7 6)  (7 6 5)  (6 5 4)  (5 4 3)  (4 3 2)  (3 2 1)

3) Play the exact same order as the 1st example but this time play the notes individually.

4) Play the exact same order as the 2nd example but this time play the notes individually.


Remember that this pattern can be played anywhere on the neck. In the case of this one, if you were to start the same shape (pattern) one fret higher (3rd fret) you would be harmonizing the Eb Major scale. One fret lower and you are harmonizing the Db Major scale.

Like all lessons on this site,  the more you work the patterns and the more you allow yourself to be creative with them, the more you will get from each one.

© Synaptic Systems Inc., 2001

Comments

  1. great examples of harmonizing. Another tip or maybe a challenge, is to find some one as musically talented as yourselves, to harmonize with you, once you do, you can pull off heaps of harmonizing melodies.

  2. Hey Shane… checked out your site, cool ideas!

    Yes! You’re talking about playing in harmony. Two guitarists playing together on a melody line or solo. Its great to hear a guitar playing in harmony with another instrument as well.

    Another excellent tool, which this lesson describes, is harmonizing a scale. You can do this with full chords or various intervals. In this case we using major and minor 6th intervals. Try playing through different scales with other intervals as well. This technique sounds great and can be very unique.

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