As we observed when using formulas to build major scales, the pitches in a major key have a mathematical relationship to each other.  Each scale degree is a certain number of half steps away from another scale degree and we call this distance an interval.  This relationship remains constant regardless of what pitch we base

The basis of harmony in Western music is the triadic chord, a three-note harmony performed to be heard simultaneously.  While endless other chord tones, extensions and alterations can be incorporated into a triad, ultimately, their defining structure is the triad from which any more complex chord is derived.  The two most common triads, major and

Putting the Altered Fifth Chords Together

Jazz Comping Lesson 5: Altered Fifths on the A String In a move that should be familiar by now, we will be using the altered fifth chords from the previous lessons, but using drop-2 voicings rooted on the A string.  We will maintain the rhythm pattern from the previous lesson.