The process of harmonizing a scale involves building chords on each degree (note) of the scale, using only notes from that scale.
This post will:
- Show how a harmonized minor scale relates to its harmonized relative major scale.
- Analyze the chords in a harmonized minor scale, along with the Roman numerals assigned to each chord.
- Show the relationship between the chords in a harmonized minor scale and the scale itself.
- Provide instruction on how that relationship relates to soloing on a guitar.
Diatonic Chords: Triads
A harmonized minor scale contains the same chords as its harmonized relative major scale, but with the chords in a different order and with different Roman numerals assigned to each chord.
Chords
For example, the triads diatonic to a C major scale are the same as those diatonic to an A minor scale but the chords are in a different order (fig.1).
Fig.1
Roman Numerals
The Roman numerals assigned to the chords in a harmonized minor scale are also different than those assigned to the chords in its harmonized relative major scale.
The Roman numerals representing the triads diatonic to an A minor scale are shown in fig.2.
Fig.2
Please note that the Roman numerals representing the chords built on the flatted third, flatted sixth and flatted seventh degrees of a minor scale are preceded with flat symbols.
Sequence of Chords
Every harmonized minor scale has the same sequence of minor, major and diminished chords. As the sequence of chords is the same in every key, the sequence of Roman numerals representing the chords is also identical.
In any given minor scale or key, the diatonic chords are as follows:
- The i, iv and v chords are minor.
- The bIII, bVI and bVII chords are major.
- The ii° chord is diminished.
All 12 Harmonized Minor Scales: Triads
All 12 harmonized minor scales are shown in fig. 3.
Fig.3
Diatonic Chords: Seventh Chords
As with the triads, a harmonized minor scale contains the same seventh chords as its harmonized relative major scale, but with the chords in a different order and with different Roman numerals assigned to each chord.
Chords
For example, the seventh chords diatonic to a C major scale are the same as those diatonic to an A minor scale but the chords are in a different order.
Fig.4
Roman Numerals
The Roman numerals assigned to the seventh chords in a harmonized minor scale are also different than those assigned to the chords in its harmonized relative major scale.
The Roman numerals representing the seventh chords diatonic to an A minor scale are shown in fig.5.
Fig.5
Sequence of Chords
Every harmonized minor scale has the same sequence of seventh chords. As the sequence of chords is the same in every key, the sequence of Roman numerals representing the chords is also identical.
In any given minor scale or key, the seventh chords are as follows:
- The i, iv and v chords are minor seventh.
- The bIII and bVI chords are major seventh.
- The bVII chord is dominant seventh.
- The ii° chord is minor seventh, flat five (or half diminished).
All 12 Harmonized Minor Scales: Seventh Chords
All 12 harmonized minor scales are shown in fig. 6.
Fig.6
Soloing Application
You can use a minor scale to solo over any of the chords that are diatonic to it because the notes generally won’t clash with the chords.
And if all of the chords in a progression are diatonic to the same minor scale, you can use that scale to solo over the entire progression.
For example, if all of the chords in a progression are diatonic to an A minor scale, you can use an A minor scale to solo over the progression.
The progression in fig.7 contains three chords all diatonic to an A minor scale (Am, F and G). So you can use an A minor scale to solo over the progression.
In the key of A minor:
- Am is the i chord.
- F is the bVI chord.
- G is the bVII chord.
Fig.7
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