Pitch Axis involves using guitar chords that are not diatonic, (that is, they are not related or found in the same scale) but rather they share the same tonic note; basically this means that we can create music using scales & their melody, harmony & chords as long as they all start in the same pitch. I will be using the pitch of C.
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Click here if you want to learn how to create awesome sounding music using Pitch Axis!
So let's look at how to construct Pitch Axis chord progressions.
Our first example is going to use power chords.
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Click here if you want to learn more about power chords!
Power chords are two note chords that use the first & 5th notes.
The E power chord will have notes E and B.
The A power chord will have notes A and E.
Pitch Axis Chord Progressions
Using Power Chords
Pitch Axis chord progressions & power chords!
Power chords are used in many musical styles including: Rock, Metal, Indie, Punk, Pop & Country music. The power chord sound is created using either crunch or heavy distortion.
Here's what you need to know:
- Power chords can be played with both major & minor scales
- Power chord progressions can include chords from both major & minor scales
- Lead guitar riffs, solos & vocals are drawn from the scales the chords are drawn from
Exercise #1 - Learn All Power Chords
the first place to start is learning to play all of the power chords displayed below. Then you should move onto exercise #2 where you will be able to create your first power chord pitch axis chord progression.
Here are all power chords with the root on the 6th string.
E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E
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2--3--4-----5--6-----7--8-----9--10-11----12--13-----14-----
0--1--2-----3--4-----5--6-----7--8--9-----10--11-----12-----
Here are all power chords with the root on the 5th string.
A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A
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2--3-----4--5--6-----7--8-----9--10-11----12--13----14------
0--1-----2--3--4-----5--6-----7--8--9-----10--11----12------
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Here are all power chords with the root on the 4th string.
D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D
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2--3-----4--5--6-----7--8-----9--10---11--12--13----14------
0--1-----2--3--4-----5--6-----7--8----9---10--11----12------
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Constructing A Pitch Axis Chord Progression
Exercise #2 - Basic Power Chord Pich Axis Chord Progression
Let's look at forming our first pitch axis chord progression using only power chords. We are going to use 3 scales:- C Major Scale
- C Minor Scale
- C Phrygian Mode
Power chords available from the C major scale are:
C D E F G A B
Power chords available from the C minor scale are:
C D Eb F G Ab Bb
Power chords available from the C Phrygian Mode are:
C Db Eb F G Ab Bb
Okay, I suggest that you view the following pitch axis video for further help on getting to grips with Pitch Axis.
