The 10000 Dollars Formula for Major and Minor Chords

One small formula can already give you a lot of usable material.

• on major chords: 1 2 3 5
• on minor chords: 1 3 4 5

On a major chord

On Cmaj7, play:

C D E G

On a minor chord

On Cm7, play:

C Eb F G

Ascending

Start with the direct shape:

Descending

Now reverse the direction:

Switch the order

Keep the same notes, but change the order:

Use repetition

Repeat one note before moving on:

Add the octave

Move the pattern upward:

Try it on a progression

Use it on Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7:

Move it through the keys

The formula is small, so it moves easily.

Try it on:

• Cmaj7
• Fmaj7
• Bbmaj7
• Ebmaj7

Then do the same on:

• Cm7
• Fm7
• Bbm7
• Ebm7

One thing to remember

Do not rush to add more notes.

First make these four notes work in several ways:

• ascending
• descending
• different order
• repetition
• octave

That already gives you a lot of real material.