Share this Image On Your Site
Food and music always go well together, here's my attempt to bring them even closer: chord burgers, freshly flame grilled and ready to eat right now!
There's many more chord burgers than displayed on Today's Menu but you get the idea.
Starting with a burger pattie (Root o) and a bun (5th), you've got yourself a power chord: basic and without a distinctive flavour.
This is because it's missing the ketchup (3rd) or mustard (flat 3rd). Thirds are one of the tones that give the chord its flavour: major or minor.
So a power chord is neither major or minor. Rock guitarists love power chords because of this. They play any licks over the top (major or minor) and it works, there's no clash.
Next, if you've got a burger pattie, a bun and ketchup (1, 3, 5) you've got a basic chord with a particular flavour - a major flavour.
Swap out the ketchup for mustard and you've got a basic minor chord (1, b3, 5). Hmm, that tastes good!
After you've devoured those move on to 7th chords. On the grill today is your choice ofMajor 7ths, Minor 7ths or Dominant 7ths (we just call these Seventh chords - leave out the word dominant.)
7ths are another tone which give the chord it's flavour.
- Chef builds Major 7 chords (1, 3, 5, 7) the burger pattie, the bun, ketchup and pickle
- Dominant 7th chords (1, b3, 5, b7) the pattie, the bun, ketchup and onions
- Minor 7 chords (1, b3, 5, b7) the pattie, the bun, mustard and onions
So now when adding your lead lines you can be more mindful of these flavours and try making these your "target notes" as you play over the chord progressions.