harmonizing in 3rds

The illustration below shows how to play two notes together in the key of C major and in Am. The two notes will be played as 3rds. The key of C major has 7 notes, C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. The chords of C major are, C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B diminished. Recall that all triads are built upward in thirds. For example, the C chord uses the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes in the scale. C, E and G. So you have 3 major chords in the key of C and 3 minor chords. The diminished chord has the notes B, D, and F. You will be using the minor third for this note as well.

It is possible to harmonize each note together as illustrated or you can play each separately, on top of each other. If you played one note of each scale on tape, you could play the other part over it and you would be harmonizing. You would be harmonizing in 3rds. For example, in the illustration below the first note 8th fret is the C note. Directly below the C note, you will find the E note. Playing these together would be harmonizing the 1st and 3rd note in the C chord.

Once again the notes and chords in the key of C major are: C Dm Em F G Am and B diminished. The second note in the illustration below, is the D note, 10th fret low E string. Directly below that D note, is the F note. The notes in the Dm chord are: D F and A. So, you are now harmonizing the 1st and 3rd notes of the Dm chord.

Each note below, uses the 1st and 3rd of each chord. So you can harmonize these two notes of each chord.

You can also harmonize the same way in Am. The notes of Am are. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. 

Don't let this illustration fool you. It is very easy and highly recommended to practice. As you practice, you will begin to hear familiar songs. You will also begin to come up with great songs of your own and build up your scale and chord knowledge.

To simplify things, the notes illustrated are minor and major thirds. We all know that the major diatonic triads  (major chords) are constructed using the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes. And the minor diatonic triads are constructed using 1 b3 and 5 notes.

Good Luck,

From the Jam Room