12 chromatic notes→ 2 whole-tone parents→ 3 diminished chords→ 4 dominants per diminished
Creation theory begins with twelve notes
In Barry Harris’s creation theory, the chromatic scale is the starting point. Its twelve notes divide into two whole-tone scales. These become the parents of three diminished seventh chords.
Take alternating notes around the chromatic circle to reveal the two whole-tone collections.
12 notes→ 2 whole-tone parents→ 3 diminished chords→ 4 dominants per diminished
Two whole-tone parents, three diminished chords
Each diminished seventh inherits two notes from each whole-tone parent. The highlighted pair in each circle is a tritone: two notes six semitones apart. Together, the pairs form one diminished seventh chord.
12 notes→ 2 whole-tone parents→ 3 diminished chords→ 4 dominants per diminished
Family of Dominants
The diminished chord now becomes a parent. Lower any one of its notes by a half step and hold the other three: the moved note becomes the root of a dominant seventh. Do this with each note to find its four children.
Starting Diminished Chords
Derived Chord Types
Major 6
Lower 2 adjacent notes
Minor 6
Raise 1 note
Dominant 7
Lower 1 note
Dominant 7♭5
Shift 2 non-adjacent notes
Chord Paths
A chord can be reached from two different diminished starting chords. Compare what each route moves and holds: both lead to the same result. These shared diminished sources are the family ties.