Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

How To Create Chord Arrangements Using The Major Scale – EP237

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson I’ll show you how to use the major scale to create chord arrangements. If you’ve ever wanted to write your own songs but aren’t sure which chords work together, this is the lesson you need. In addition to chord theory, I’ll also give you a fun rhythm that you can play over a jam track that includes 3 different levels of difficulty.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walk-Through Level 3

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walk-Through Level 2

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walk-Through Level 1

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Video Tablature Breakdown

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Curious about the benefits of
Premium Membership?
Try it for FREE!
arrow_downYou need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets. Learn More

Add to "My Favorites"

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.

Comments

  1. John V says

    December 29, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    I’ve really have become to enjoy my new ES-335 with lesson’s like these, very cool for the last of 2017!

    Hope you and your family have a Happy New! See you next Year.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Jim M says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    Nice lesson Brian !!!

    Log in to Reply
  3. madams says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Another great lesson that is perfectly timed.

    I actually wrote down on my New Year’s resolutions to learn how to write songs.

    Thank you,
    Michael

    Log in to Reply
  4. Philip B says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    Brian-you have a lot of really good stuff on this website- really good. This is one of your best. Love your versatility – from Fogarty to Cale to Clapton to classic Rock, Souther Rock to R and B to Jazz to Bluegrass and to this cool Jazzy thing- well that’s really hard to do and very hard to do well. I’m in awe.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Michael Allen says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    Beautiful! Thanks Brian

    Log in to Reply
  6. JoLa says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    Brian,
    It’s like you read my mind . . . I’ve been wanting to learn something smooth and jazzy lately. How did you know?
    You are a never-ending inspiration, I can’t thank you enough!

    Log in to Reply
    • wrightclick says

      January 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      Try a very early lesson EP006 part 3 rhythm Jazz you can have that under your fingers in 20mins tops with similar chords and easy to remember

      Log in to Reply
  7. Christopher S says

    December 29, 2017 at 9:28 pm

    I realise I don’t say “Thank you” often enough but seriously, thank you for these lessons. This is easily my favourite so far, it has really helped things fall into place for me in terms of progressions and chord substitutions.

    More like this would be awesome, especially in a minor key and/ or with a bluesy feel. I use a looper a lot so these lessons are invaluable for helping to learn more about cool progressions. Anyway, thanks again! Chris.

    Log in to Reply
  8. Micky51.(Paul) says

    December 30, 2017 at 6:16 am

    Brian, this is really useful and I can feel a major “lightbulb” moment coming! Very best wishes to you, your family and all the Activemelody community. Happy New Year.🎸🎸🍺🍺🍷🍷

    Log in to Reply
  9. sunburst says

    December 30, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Nice light jazz touch Brian,, will check it out this winters New Years eve!

    Log in to Reply
  10. doctim says

    December 30, 2017 at 9:48 am

    Brian; great stuff. Just wanted to say thank you. I look forward to fridays now. Learned more from you than in last 40 years combined. Happy New Year and look forward to 2018.
    Doc Tim

    Log in to Reply
  11. stephen a says

    December 30, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Well, Brian, that was lesson where the light bulb went on. My fumble fingers may never be able to do all of that stuff, but I know enough to modify the chord shapes and number of strings I try to play and make it work for me. Thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  12. benny l says

    December 30, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    BRIAN THIS IS AN AWESOME LESSON I LOVE IT. I KNOW I WILL BE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THIS CAUSE I LOVE PLAYING RYTHYMN USING A LOT OF MINOR CHORDS!

    THANKS A LOT AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND FAMILY

    Log in to Reply
  13. JohnStrat says

    December 30, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Hi Brian.
    This is clearly a very fundamental lesson which will hopefully turn on the flood lights.

    Wishing you and your family
    and all at AM
    A very Happy New Year for 2018.
    JohnStrat

    Log in to Reply
  14. DJG says

    December 30, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    Brian, i’m confused in the video when you show the 2nd and 3rd barre chords (Bm and C#m) which looks to me like you are only fingering the 5th string. I thought you should finger both the 5th and 6th strings (like an Em shape), am I messed up?
    Doug

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      December 31, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      I was playing strings 6, 4, 3 and 2 – it’s all in the tablature.

      Log in to Reply
      • wrightclick says

        January 3, 2018 at 1:41 am

        You can play them chords with one finger because although he may hold the the 5th string with the 3rd ring finger he is not playing that string .see lesson EP006 part 3 rhythm the 3rd chord in the progression is the same type of chord but played with two fingers not using the 5th string again . I maybe wrong but omitting the 5th string gives it a more Jazzy colour.
        Also further on in the passage unlike myself Brian does not adjust his Barre finger by dropping it down one string when he switches from an E form (6th string root) Bar chord to an A form (5th string root ) chord . When i play it i drop the bar one string but there really is no need to adjust just don’t play that string . Sometimes it may look like he is playing a E form bar when in fact it’s an A form . Holding the full chord can be easier sometimes even if you are not using it all . Sorry to stick my nose in hope it helps .

        Log in to Reply
  15. Ian C says

    December 31, 2017 at 9:58 am

    Terrific. Thank you Brian another wonderful sounding and useful lesson.
    I subscribed to Active Melody earlier this year and have learned more in 2017 going through the bespoke music you write, with your patient teaching style, than in many many years of other methods trying to improve on the guitar. I want to thank you for that and wish you a great 2018.

    Log in to Reply
  16. Hans N says

    December 31, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Great!
    Is it possible to add the tabular for the solo at this site?
    happy new year

    Log in to Reply
    • sweeney679 says

      January 2, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      I agree It would make a good stand alone lesson.

      Log in to Reply
  17. cuvy says

    December 31, 2017 at 12:55 pm

    Brian,

    Thank you for another awesome lesson. Any chance you could create a lesson showing us how you played lead over the A major jam track including things like how to transition between A major scale shapes and add double stop slides to improv? Thank you so much. Wishing you peace, health, and happiness in the New Year.

    Gregoruy

    Log in to Reply
  18. wrightclick says

    January 1, 2018 at 11:48 am

    1 year ago i would have said ah crap its fingerstyle this week lol . What a Fantastic massive lesson a great follow up on EP221 , i was determined not just to be a pick only player and am glad i made that decision and stayed the course and not chucked it in when things got tough it would have always bugged me taking the lazy way out . Its not been east to say the least but you only get out what you put in and have made massive leaps and my Pick ,Hybrid , fingerstyle and a bit of slide styles are all coming along nicely . Best tuition site on the planet bar none and great value too.

    Log in to Reply
  19. sunjamr says

    January 1, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    Amazing! This was just the lesson I needed this week. I’m trying to help a couple of kids learn to write a song, but I don’t really know what I’m doing. This will be a big help. Many thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  20. scattercreek says

    January 2, 2018 at 2:17 am

    Brian,

    Fantastic lesson. Everyone else has pretty much said how great it is. I totally agree. Thanks for this one Brian. It ties Theory and fun, easy music together in an easy to play and easy to understand lesson.

    Gene

    Log in to Reply
  21. adam-quin says

    January 2, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    Excellent lesson. I need one of those T-Sirts Brian?

    Log in to Reply
  22. Ron N says

    January 2, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Thanks Brian! Great lesson (as always) and practical levels of difficulty to work up to.. or exceed with! Hope 2018 brings more of these!!!

    Log in to Reply
  23. Rev Bob says

    January 2, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    Awesome Lesson. Thank you for the simplicity of it.

    Log in to Reply
  24. Richard C says

    January 2, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    Love this lesson….now, if only I can get my fingers to do it…Great Lesson

    Log in to Reply
  25. Albert T says

    January 2, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Thanks for the lesson but I’m looking forward to the solo layering in a later lesson.

    Log in to Reply
  26. JerryA says

    January 2, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    I love this lesson. The tempo is great, and that laid back feel is so soon.

    Log in to Reply
  27. Ray G says

    January 3, 2018 at 7:27 am

    Brian,
    Happy New Year!! You’ve taught me so much in the past year. I like the way you throw in music theory and give us a cool tune to practice and learn. Really like this lesson on chord progression and creating music. You’ve inspired me to buy my first electric guitar since 1970 🙂

    Log in to Reply
  28. Dom Demenna says

    January 3, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Great lesson! I would like ask if you could do another lesson on the lead that you threw into this lesson.

    Log in to Reply
  29. Scott M says

    January 3, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Is there a similar formula for chord arrangements in a minor key?

    Log in to Reply
  30. Darrell B says

    January 5, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Love this a lot! Your noodling is not like my noodling, I’ve got a ways to go. Thanks Brian.

    Log in to Reply
  31. freddie h says

    January 6, 2018 at 7:40 am

    This may be my favorite lesson yet. I can’t believe how much you were able to cover and it makes perfect sense. I love the percussive element with these 7th chords. Sounds sooo cool. Can’t wait to whip drop this on my two sons who also play guitar. Thanks a million.

    Log in to Reply
  32. Khoon C says

    January 6, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    I am a relatively new premium user, and have a general question. I would like to import the tablature files I get from from ActiveMelody into guitar pro, so that I can play in other tunings (e.g. from standard to open D). Can anyone tell me the best way of doing that?
    Thanks
    Khoon C

    Log in to Reply
  33. Caymandiverjj says

    January 7, 2018 at 10:35 am

    Excellent fundamental lesson being one reason I returned to the site. Hopefully I am not stealing Brian’s thunder, but I wanted to add something. It is important to know all 12 keys and how to transpose any music to them. The guitar has limitations in comparison to a piano. in A capo is required to avoid playing so many, mostly bar chords. This is more common in flat keys, but can be applied to all. Hotel California is a shining example of blending capo parts for a layered sound. That might be a great theory lesson on the use of a capo. One more. Any major key has a formula for the pentatonic major or minor scales. For a major pentatonic omit the 4th and 7th notes leaving five. The minor key omits the 2nd and 6th of the do rey mi sequence. Brian’s weekly compositions are highly original and a pleasure to learn.

    Log in to Reply
  34. Narong K says

    January 29, 2018 at 12:50 am

    i am still on and off practise, it’s seemed there are lick notes in my print out ep237 major scale chord structure – level 2, please advise, thanks

    Log in to Reply
  35. Maraker says

    May 8, 2019 at 7:01 am

    I little confuse that 7th chord, you play 11-12-11-12 strings 5-4-3-2 , You say “Abdim” chord, but it is not, if I look at that chord. 11-12-13-12 is Abdim. Can you explain that to me ?

    Log in to Reply
    • Maraker says

      May 8, 2019 at 7:06 am

      Maybe you mean that G#m7b5, that is 11-12-11-12
      I ii iii IV V vi vii
      Amaj Bmin C#min Dmaj Emaj F#min G#dim
      Amaj7 Bmin7 C#min7 Dmaj7 E7 F#min7 G#m7b5

      Log in to Reply
  36. Jacob M says

    May 15, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    where is the jam track?

    Log in to Reply
    • Jacob M says

      May 15, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      nevermind lol

      Log in to Reply
  37. Terrence Wong c says

    March 1, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    Brian,
    Great info, especially on A major chords. I am in awe..
    It open up a reservoir of knowledge.

    Log in to Reply
  38. Charles S says

    June 22, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    ditto the positivity !

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Don’t have an ActiveMelody account? Sign Up.

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

Improvise a Ragtime Blues lead PLUS a fingerstyle rhythm – Guitar Lesson – EP613

Classic Blues by yourself (on acoustic or electric guitar) – Full of Blues lick ideas – Guitar Lesson EP612

Funky Dorian Groove + Swing rhythm strum pattern for your right hand – Guitar Lesson – EP611

Contact

For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.