Before we go any further, let’s lay the foundation of this study by taking a look at what fourth voicings are.<\/p>\n
“What Are Fourth Voicings?”<\/em><\/h2>\nWe’ll be defining the term fourth voicing<\/em> by breaking it down into two words – fourth<\/em> and voicing.<\/em><\/p>\n“What Is A Fourth?”<\/em><\/h3>\nThe term ‘fourth’ is used by music scholars to describe the size, width<\/a> or height of interval or a chord that encompasses four tones of any given scale or four letter names.<\/p>\nThe interval C-F:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,F,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…is considered as a fourth because it encompasses four degrees of the C major scale:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…from C to F:![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,D,E,F,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…and also because it encompasses four letter names from C to F (C-D-E-F.)<\/p>\n
“Let Me Repeat…”<\/em><\/p>\nThe term fourth is used to describe an interval or chord that encompasses four scale tones\/letter names.<\/p>\n
“Just Before We’ll Talk About Voicing…”<\/em><\/p>\nThere are various classes of fourth intervals.<\/p>\n
Although most fourth intervals on the keyboard, like…<\/p>\n
A-D:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=A,D,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\nB-E:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=B,E,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\nC-F:
\n
\nD-G:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,D,G,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\nE-A:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,E,A,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…are perfect intervals, there are other qualities of fourth intervals like the augmented fourth and the diminished fourth intervals. For example, the distance between C and F#:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,Fs,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…is an augmented fourth because it is larger than C-F:
\n
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n
Also, the distance between C and Fb:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,Fb,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…is a diminished fourth interval, and is smaller than C-F:
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n
In this lesson, we’ll be focusing on the augmented fourth and perfect fourth intervals and how they can be used in chord formation.<\/p>\n
But before that, let’s take a look at the second key word ‘voicing’ <\/em>in the term fourth voicing. <\/em><\/p>\n“What Is Voicing?”<\/em><\/h3>\nVoicing is a concept in music that has to do with the consideration of the notes of a chord as voices or voice parts (like soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), and also the re-arrangement of these voice parts.<\/p>\n
“Fourth Voicing Concept In A Nutshell…”<\/em><\/h3>\nThe fourth voicing concept focuses on the re-arrangement of the notes of a chord in such a way that the distance (aka – “interval”) between successive chord tones are fourth intervals and you’ll be learning witty, intelligent, and mind-blowing ways of changing the structure of chords from third to fourth intervals.<\/p>\n
The Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
The pentatonic scale is basically a five-tone scale.<\/p>\n
In the word pentatonic, penta<\/em> means five, while tonic<\/em> means notes. Although there are various pentatonic scales, we’ll be focusing on the major pentatonic scale in this lesson.<\/p>\nSuggested reading:<\/strong> Scale-Formation: Casting Out The Devil In Music<\/a>.<\/p>\nOne of the easiest known ways to form the major pentatonic scale is by removing the fourth and seventh tones of the natural major scale.<\/p>\n
The C major pentatonic scale can be formed by removing the fourth (F):
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,F,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…and seventh (B):
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,B,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…tones of the C natural major scale:
\n
\nCheck out the C major pentatonic scale:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,D,E,G,A,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
<\/p>\n
One of the characteristics of the major pentatonic scale is that it is a gapped<\/em> scale. The gap here is caused by the absence of the fourth:
\n
\n…and seventh tones:
\n
\n…of the major scale:
\n
\nIn between the third and the fifth tones:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,E,G,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…of the major pentatonic scale:
\n
\n…is a gap of three half steps (aka – “sesquitone<\/a>“), which is also between the sixth and the first tones (which are A:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,A,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…and C:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,,C&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…respectively.)<\/p>\nChord Formation Using The Major Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
Using the natural major scale<\/a> or any other traditional scale,<\/a> chords can be formed using the pick-skip technique<\/strong>.<\/p>\n“Here’s How It Works…”<\/em><\/p>\nUsing the C natural major scale:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…we can form a chord on C by picking C:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…skipping D and picking E:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,E,,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…skipping F and picking G:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,E,G,,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\n…skipping A and picking B:
\n![](\"https:\/\/hearandplay.cc\/dynamic_image\/pianokeys.php?notes=,,C,E,G,B,,&color=CCFF33&size=2\")
\nAltogether, that’s the C major seventh chord:<\/p>\n
“What Is A Fourth?”<\/em><\/h3>\nThe term ‘fourth’ is used by music scholars to describe the size, width<\/a> or height of interval or a chord that encompasses four tones of any given scale or four letter names.<\/p>\nThe interval C-F:
\n
\n…is considered as a fourth because it encompasses four degrees of the C major scale:
\n
\n…from C to F:
\n…and also because it encompasses four letter names from C to F (C-D-E-F.)<\/p>\n
“Let Me Repeat…”<\/em><\/p>\nThe term fourth is used to describe an interval or chord that encompasses four scale tones\/letter names.<\/p>\n
“Just Before We’ll Talk About Voicing…”<\/em><\/p>\nThere are various classes of fourth intervals.<\/p>\n
Although most fourth intervals on the keyboard, like…<\/p>\n
A-D:
\n
\nB-E:
\n
\nC-F:
\n
\nD-G:
\n
\nE-A:
\n
\n…are perfect intervals, there are other qualities of fourth intervals like the augmented fourth and the diminished fourth intervals. For example, the distance between C and F#:
\n
\n…is an augmented fourth because it is larger than C-F:
\n
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n
Also, the distance between C and Fb:
\n
\n…is a diminished fourth interval, and is smaller than C-F:
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n
In this lesson, we’ll be focusing on the augmented fourth and perfect fourth intervals and how they can be used in chord formation.<\/p>\n
But before that, let’s take a look at the second key word ‘voicing’ <\/em>in the term fourth voicing. <\/em><\/p>\n“What Is Voicing?”<\/em><\/h3>\nVoicing is a concept in music that has to do with the consideration of the notes of a chord as voices or voice parts (like soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), and also the re-arrangement of these voice parts.<\/p>\n
“Fourth Voicing Concept In A Nutshell…”<\/em><\/h3>\nThe fourth voicing concept focuses on the re-arrangement of the notes of a chord in such a way that the distance (aka – “interval”) between successive chord tones are fourth intervals and you’ll be learning witty, intelligent, and mind-blowing ways of changing the structure of chords from third to fourth intervals.<\/p>\n
The Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
The pentatonic scale is basically a five-tone scale.<\/p>\n
In the word pentatonic, penta<\/em> means five, while tonic<\/em> means notes. Although there are various pentatonic scales, we’ll be focusing on the major pentatonic scale in this lesson.<\/p>\nSuggested reading:<\/strong> Scale-Formation: Casting Out The Devil In Music<\/a>.<\/p>\nOne of the easiest known ways to form the major pentatonic scale is by removing the fourth and seventh tones of the natural major scale.<\/p>\n
The C major pentatonic scale can be formed by removing the fourth (F):
\n
\n…and seventh (B):
\n
\n…tones of the C natural major scale:
\n
\nCheck out the C major pentatonic scale:
\n<\/p>\n
One of the characteristics of the major pentatonic scale is that it is a gapped<\/em> scale. The gap here is caused by the absence of the fourth:
\n
\n…and seventh tones:
\n
\n…of the major scale:
\n
\nIn between the third and the fifth tones:
\n
\n…of the major pentatonic scale:
\n
\n…is a gap of three half steps (aka – “sesquitone<\/a>“), which is also between the sixth and the first tones (which are A:
\n
\n…and C:
\n
\n…respectively.)<\/p>\nChord Formation Using The Major Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
Using the natural major scale<\/a> or any other traditional scale,<\/a> chords can be formed using the pick-skip technique<\/strong>.<\/p>\n“Here’s How It Works…”<\/em><\/p>\nUsing the C natural major scale:
\n
\n…we can form a chord on C by picking C:
\n
\n…skipping D and picking E:
\n
\n…skipping F and picking G:
\n
\n…skipping A and picking B:
\n
\nAltogether, that’s the C major seventh chord:<\/p>\n
The interval C-F:
\n
\n…is considered as a fourth because it encompasses four degrees of the C major scale:
\n
\n…from C to F:
\n…and also because it encompasses four letter names from C to F (C-D-E-F.)<\/p>\n
“Let Me Repeat…”<\/em><\/p>\n The term fourth is used to describe an interval or chord that encompasses four scale tones\/letter names.<\/p>\n “Just Before We’ll Talk About Voicing…”<\/em><\/p>\n There are various classes of fourth intervals.<\/p>\n Although most fourth intervals on the keyboard, like…<\/p>\n A-D: Also, the distance between C and Fb: In this lesson, we’ll be focusing on the augmented fourth and perfect fourth intervals and how they can be used in chord formation.<\/p>\n But before that, let’s take a look at the second key word ‘voicing’ <\/em>in the term fourth voicing. <\/em><\/p>\n Voicing is a concept in music that has to do with the consideration of the notes of a chord as voices or voice parts (like soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), and also the re-arrangement of these voice parts.<\/p>\n The fourth voicing concept focuses on the re-arrangement of the notes of a chord in such a way that the distance (aka – “interval”) between successive chord tones are fourth intervals and you’ll be learning witty, intelligent, and mind-blowing ways of changing the structure of chords from third to fourth intervals.<\/p>\n The pentatonic scale is basically a five-tone scale.<\/p>\n In the word pentatonic, penta<\/em> means five, while tonic<\/em> means notes. Although there are various pentatonic scales, we’ll be focusing on the major pentatonic scale in this lesson.<\/p>\n Suggested reading:<\/strong> Scale-Formation: Casting Out The Devil In Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the easiest known ways to form the major pentatonic scale is by removing the fourth and seventh tones of the natural major scale.<\/p>\n The C major pentatonic scale can be formed by removing the fourth (F): One of the characteristics of the major pentatonic scale is that it is a gapped<\/em> scale. The gap here is caused by the absence of the fourth: Using the natural major scale<\/a> or any other traditional scale,<\/a> chords can be formed using the pick-skip technique<\/strong>.<\/p>\n “Here’s How It Works…”<\/em><\/p>\n Using the C natural major scale:
\n
\nB-E:
\n
\nC-F:
\n
\nD-G:
\n
\nE-A:
\n
\n…are perfect intervals, there are other qualities of fourth intervals like the augmented fourth and the diminished fourth intervals. For example, the distance between C and F#:
\n
\n…is an augmented fourth because it is larger than C-F:
\n
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n
\n
\n…is a diminished fourth interval, and is smaller than C-F:
\n…a perfect fourth interval.<\/p>\n“What Is Voicing?”<\/em><\/h3>\n
“Fourth Voicing Concept In A Nutshell…”<\/em><\/h3>\n
The Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
\n
\n…and seventh (B):
\n
\n…tones of the C natural major scale:
\n
\nCheck out the C major pentatonic scale:
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n…and seventh tones:
\n
\n…of the major scale:
\n
\nIn between the third and the fifth tones:
\n
\n…of the major pentatonic scale:
\n
\n…is a gap of three half steps (aka – “sesquitone<\/a>“), which is also between the sixth and the first tones (which are A:
\n
\n…and C:
\n
\n…respectively.)<\/p>\nChord Formation Using The Major Pentatonic Scale<\/h2>\n
\n
\n…we can form a chord on C by picking C:
\n
\n…skipping D and picking E:
\n
\n…skipping F and picking G:
\n
\n…skipping A and picking B:
\n
\nAltogether, that’s the C major seventh chord:<\/p>\n