Find chords and scales in any tuning.To find notes for a chord or scale in a particular tuning is all about knowing the right intervals to apply. The circle of notes gives the order of notes on the fret-board of a guitar. This order will stay consistent though the position on the fret-board may move depending on the tuning.
How to use the Circle of Notes
By firstly applying the right interval relationship, for a particular chord or scale, and counting round the circle of notes (where 0, represents the root note). A chord or scales notes can be identified and then found on the guitar neck.
Ever been looking for that tone that expresses the sound emotion you are after?
“Easy to use”
With a bit of logic, this system will help find notes or chords in any tuning!
Chord Intervals
| Chord | Abreviation | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Major | (Maj) | 0,4,7 |
| Minor | (Min) | 0,3,7 |
| Major Seventh | (Maj7) | 0,4,7,11 |
| Dominant Seventh | (7th) | 0,4,7,10 |
| Minor Seventh | (min7) | 0,3,7,10 |
| Major Sixth | (maj6) | 0,4,7,9 |
| Major Ninth | (maj9) | 0,4,7,11,14 |
| Dominant Ninth | (9) | 0,4,7,10,14 |
| Sixth add ninth | (6+9) | 0,4,7,9,14 |
| Minor Sixth | (min6) | 0,3,7,9 |
| Minor Ninth | (Min9) | 0,3,7,10,14 |
| Minor 7 Flat Five | (m7b5) | 0,3,6,10 |
| Seven Flat Nine | (7b9) | 0,4,7,10,13 |
| Seven Sharp Nine | (7#9) | 0,4,7,10,15 |
| Diminished | (dim) | 0,3,6 |
| Diminished Seventh | (dim7) | 0,3,6,9 |
| Augmented | (aug) | 0,4,8 |
| Augmented Seventh | (aug7) | 0,4,8,10 |
| Suspended Forth | (sus4) | 0,5,7 |
| 7 Suspended Forth | (7sus4) | 0,5,7,10 |
| Suspended Second | (sus2) | 0,2,7 |
Scale Intervals
| Scale | Interval |
|---|---|
| Major | 0,2,4,5,7,9,11 |
| Minor | 0,2,3,5,7,8,10 |
| Harmonic Minor | 0,2,3,5,7,8,11 |
| Pentatonic Major | 0,2,4,7,9 |
| Pentatonic Minor | 0,3,5,7,10 |
Each chord type (major, minor, 7th, etc.) is identified by a collection of intervals. In the Chord Intervals chart, the most regular chord types and respective intervals are listed. Like chords, scales are defined by their collective intervals, in the Scales Intervals chart some of the more regular scales intervals are shown.
Many great guitarists’ have looked at open or alternate tunings to get a fresh sound. Different tunings can stimulate different tonal characteristics and expressions.
Find new tunings and create new chord shapes on the fret-board. Sometimes you’ll be rewarded when you hit that magic set of notes creating a completely new sounding chord. Who knows where that might take your creativity? There are endless soundscapes waiting to be explored.
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