File talk:New Standard Tuning - C major scale harmonized in sevenths and triads, arpeggios.pdf

Vector graphics

The old version was produced with GNU Lilypond, which can be easily exported to a vector graphics format (SVG). I thank editor Hyacinth for having placed a SVG tag on the old version.

The new version was written in Guitar Pro 6, which does not have a simple method for exporting svg images.

To convert the pdf or png files to svg would require extra effort, which could call for an appropriate tag asking for help. On the other hand, it might be faster to program images of each harmonization in GNU Lilypond and export each to svg format.

 Kiefer.Wolfowitz  (Discussion) 07:55, 4 August 2014 (UTC) The latest version provides chord progressions for the primary chords of the key of C major---of major triads (C, C/G; F, F/C, F/A; G, G/B) and dominant sevenths (G7, G7(no5), G7(no5)/B).

The chords are written for conventional rhythm guitar, which provides harmony to accompany the melody of the lead guitar or singer. Thus, the harmony of the progressions and the norms of voice leading guide the voicings. For example, the treble G-major triad (x-x-x-2-1-0) omits the fifth (D) and doubles the root (G) with the highest string, so sharing the bass B & high G with the G7(no5) triad (x-x-x-2-1-0) and so also sharing the high G with the C-major triad (x-x-x-3-0-0)).

As usual, the numbering of fingerings offers advice rather than delivers commandments.

The intermediate guitarist should consult the first version of this file, which contains the following information (no longer in this pdf file):

Notes: C-major diatonic scale

• The C-major scale in second position (with one index-finger stretching to fret 1 for F) and eighth position (with index finger stretching to fret 7 and pinky stretching to fret 12).
• See old version (first upload) for: Open notes C-G-D-A-E-G and the overtone series C-C-G-C-E-G, which overlap.

Chords based on third intervals

The chords may be freely moved among the lower five strings (which have a greater range than the 6 strings of Spanish tuning and all perfect-fourths tuning), because NST's regular intervals between successive strings are perfect fifths. The lowest chord is shown (with the bass note on the C or G string); for triads, the same note-configuration can be played with the bass note on G or D string. For 4-note seventh chords, the same configuration can be played with the bass note on the G string.

The chords are written in quarter notes to conserve space. Beginners should learn them with arpeggios and whole notes, of course.

Harmonized chords

Harmonizing the major scale on C produces the seven chords of C major (and its natural minor, A minor):

• Tertian harmonization of C-major scale: For triads and seventh chords, the harmonizations are remarkably consistent, much more so than the harmonizations available in Spanish (old standard) tuning. NST triads have spread voicings rather than the closed voicings of Spanish triads. A further advantage is that the range of the chords is similar for all inversions, both for triads and seventh chords respectively; thus, for all the inversions, the voicings' bass-notes and highest-notes blend well—facilitating the "smooth" bass-line of conventional accompaniment (jazz "comping") and guitar harmony.
  • Triads:

    Shown in root-bass position (R-5-3, e.g. Cmaj C-G-E) and in first & second inversions (5-3-R and 3-R-5, e.g. G-E-C and E-C-G). Closed position triads appear on the treble (A--E--G) strings.

  • Sevenths:

    R-5-3-7-X-X and X-R-5-3-7-X. For the second inversion, the major and dominant seventh-chords lack roots, to allow smooth bass and soprano lines (c.f., voice leading); a couple inconsistencies among diagrams and ledger chords shall be fixed in the next upload. For seventh chords, abbreviated 3-string selections also appear.

Unsystematic chords

Many of these chords cannot be moved among the lower five strings.

• Other triads and seventh chords:
  • Open ("cowboy") chords for strumming on 5--6 strings. Such chords are common in rock and folk music.

    With a capo, the open chords can be used for other keys besides C major; obviously, the open chords can be used for key of G major with only trivial modification (e.g., playing a single G, rather than a doubled G).

  • NST substitutes for Spanish-tuning chords:

    A selection of Spanish-tuning ("Spanish") chords from Mel Bay's guitar method (volume 1). For all but one Mel Bay chords, all note cannot be simultaneously played in new standard tuning, and a formal tablature has been used to generate the notes of the Spanish chord (but cannot be played); the Spanish chords lack the consistency of NST chords. After each Spanish chord, a substitute NST chord appears (usually omitting the fifth but sometimes the root of the chord), demonstrating NST's capacity for simulating Spanish tuning. I advise beginners to learn the NST chords and avoid being distracted by the simulations of the ad-hoc Spanish chords.

Other chords

These harmonized chords suffice for a foundation for conventional guitar, particularly for playing rhythm and for supplying harmony.

Other chords are needed for the advanced guitarist, for example, for contrast and tension, which are need for lead guitar.

Associated files: Sound (wav and midi) and image (png) and text (pdf)

New Standard Tuning - C major scale harmonized in sevenths and triads, arpeggios.midi