Music Theory for the Gospel Musician

Understanding Chord names and Symbols - Part 1

Many of the world’s greatest gospel musicians have never had any formal piano or music training. These are the gospel musicians that we call “gifted.” Even though they never took piano lessons or studied with a great music teacher, they have one thing in common. As they discovered the many different “elements of gospel music,” they developed their own system for naming and identifying chords.

Having a limited knowledge of music theory makes it difficult to communicate with others what you are doing. I often wonder if musicians are being selfish by not showing you the secrets of gospel music. Perhaps because he or she never studied music theory, they don’t have a clue of how to explain what they’re doing. 

In this article I will teach you the correct approach for understanding chord names and symbols. The more fluent you are at understanding music theory the more accomplished you will be as a musician. The world’s greatest gospel musicians, studio and session players can all read lead sheets and charts. They can quickly name every chord and scale they play. They can analyze chord progressions and apply chord substitutions and re-harmonization’s.

Understanding music theory will open your mind to endless possibilities for harmonic and melodic creation. Great Jazz musicians discovered this a long time ago. This is also true for today’s great gospel musicians.

Let’s begin by examining the C major scale below:

Notice there are eight notes in the major scale. Let’s take it a step

further and number each scale tone:

Note that each scale tone has a numeric placement within the scale itself.

For example: C is called the 1^st note, D is the 2nd note and E is the 3^rd note etc.

Memorizing the numeric position of each scale tone is one of the biggest secrets

gospel musicians use to quickly transpose songs.

Start memorizing all the scale tones and their numbers in

all the keys. This will become one of the greatest tools used to transpose.

The Major Triad

Formula = 1  3  5

For this exercise we will construct our chords using the C major scale.  A triad is a chord containing 3 notes. Every chord has a specific formula. If you know the formula used to create the chord, you will be able to name the chord. Stay with me I will give you all the formulas later in this lesson.

Let’s examine the C major triad.

The C major triad consists of the 1^st, 3rd and 5^th note of the major scale.

Therefore the formula for a C major triad is as follows. C major = 1, 3, 5

Based on the C major scale the notes would be C, E, and G. See the example below:

C Major = C E G

There are many Chord symbols used to represent the C major chord. They are

C, Cmaj, and C∆. You will often see these symbols used in lead sheet and charts or written over measures in sheet music indicating the type of chord being played in that measure.  

The Sharp (#) and the Flat (b)                 

In order to proceed farther we will need to understand the sharp and the flat sign.

The Sharp sign (#) before a note means to play the note one half-step higher. On the piano you will play the next key to the right of the note.

The Flat sign (b) before a note means to play the note one half-step lower. On the piano you will play the next key to the right of the note.

The Minor Triad

Formula = 1  b3  5

In constructing any type of triad we can always used the major scale as our reference point.

Now that we understand Sharps and Flats let's construct a C minor triad.

Note: In order to construct our C minor triad, we must first apply the formula for a minor triad to our C scale by lowering the 3rd a half-step.  Therefore we play the Eb instead of the E Natural.

C Minor Triad = C  Eb  G 

Commonly used Symbols:  Cm,  Cmin,  C-

The Diminish Triad

Formula = 1  b3  b5

Another popular quality of chord that gospel musicians need to be familiar with is the diminish Triad. This chord type is very popular in gospel music.

In the illustration below we applied our diminish chord formula to the C major scale by lowering the 3^rd and the 5^th a half-step:

C Diminish Triad = C  Eb  Gb 

Commonly used symbols = Cdim,  C^o

The Augmented Triad

Formula = 1  3  #5

Traditional gospel songs used the augmented chord a lot. Mostly on the V Chord….

In the illustration below we applied our augmented chord formula to the C major scale by raising the 5^th a half-step:

C Augmented Triad = C  E  G# 

Commonly used symbols = Caug,  C+

Other Chords Built from the Major Scale

Below is a table of diatonic triads using the C major scale. Familiarize yourself with these chords. They will become very handy when we discuss understanding chord progressions.

There are many other chords constructed for the major scale. Gospel musicians if you want to understand music theory listen carefully. Memorize the chords and their numbers.

For example in the key of C major:

C is the 1 chord

D is the 2 chord

E is the 3 chord

F is the 4 Chord

G is the 5 chord etc.

Ever heard of the famous 1, 4, 5 Chord progression (I  IV  V). This is where it comes from.

We have just scratched the surface for understanding music theory. Here’s what’s coming:

Music Theory for the Gospel Musician

All About Seventh Chords - Part 2

Music Theory for the Gospel Musician 

Chord Extensions:  9^ths   11^ths and 13^ths - Part 3

Music Theory for the Gospel Musician

The 2-5-1 Chord Progression in Major and Minor Keys - Part 4

Music Theory for the Gospel Musician 

Commonly Used Chord Voicing In Gospel - Part 5