Essential Music Theory Every Guitar Player Should Know - Beginner Music Theory Lesson

Summary

This video introduces essential music theory for guitar players, focusing on understanding the 12-note system, intervals, scales, and chords. The tutorial covers the basics of major scales, how to form triads, and explains the relationship between major and minor keys. It also introduces concepts like the chromatic scale, diatonic vs. non-diatonic notes, and the importance of knowing chord numbers within a key. The goal is to provide a strong foundational understanding for improvisation, composition, and effective music communication, all in a quick and accessible format.

Takeaways

• 😀 Guitar players can learn a lot through tabs without understanding music theory, but knowing theory is crucial for songwriting, improvisation, and creating original parts.
• 🎵 Western music uses a 12-note system, based on the alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) with sharps and flats filling in between the notes (e.g., A# and Bb).
• 📏 A half step or semitone is the distance between adjacent notes, while a whole step (or whole tone) is the distance of two semitones.
• 🎸 Intervals refer to the distance between two notes and are foundational for understanding scales and chords.
• 🔢 The chromatic scale involves playing all 12 notes in sequence, but it doesn't sound musical unless we apply a scale formula, like the major scale.
• 🎶 The major scale consists of seven notes and follows a specific pattern of intervals (2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1).
• 📱 A simple way to remember the major scale formula is to think of it like a phone number: 2-2-1-2-2-2-1.
• 🎼 Chords are built by selecting notes from the major scale, with triads (3 notes) forming major or minor chords depending on the intervals between them.
• 🎹 In the key of C major, the corresponding chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim, following a major-minor formula.
• 🎶 Minor keys have a relative scale to their major counterpart, based on the sixth note of the major scale, allowing for flexible modulation between major and minor.
• 🔄 Diatonic notes and chords naturally occur within a key, while non-diatonic elements are borrowed from outside the key, adding variety and tension to music.

Q & A

Why do many guitar players avoid learning music theory?

Many guitar players avoid learning music theory because guitar tabs provide an easy way to play songs without understanding the theory behind the notes. As a result, players can learn a lot of songs without grasping how the music is constructed or how to apply that knowledge creatively.

What is the 12-note system in Western music?

The 12-note system in Western music includes the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, followed by sharps (#) and flats (b). After G, the cycle repeats starting at A. Between some notes, there are sharps and flats, but there are no sharps or flats between B and C, and E and F.

What is an octave?

An octave is the interval between one note and another note with the same name, but at a higher or lower pitch. For example, playing a G note and then playing a G note 12 semitones higher results in an octave.

What is the difference between a semitone and a whole tone?

A semitone (or half-step) is the smallest interval between two notes, such as moving one fret on the guitar. A whole tone (or whole step) consists of two semitones, which is equivalent to moving two frets on the guitar.

How do intervals relate to music theory?

Intervals refer to the distance between two notes. Intervals are fundamental in music theory because they define the relationship between notes in scales and chords. Each interval has a name, such as a major third or perfect fifth, and they help in creating melodies, harmonies, and chords.

What is the formula for constructing a major scale?

The formula for constructing a major scale is: Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). This pattern of whole and half steps is used to derive the seven notes in a major scale, which can be started from any note.

What makes up a basic major chord (triad)?

A basic major chord, or triad, consists of three notes: the root note, the major third, and the perfect fifth. For example, in the key of C major, the C chord is made up of the notes C, E, and G.

What is the relationship between a key and its chords?

The chords in a key are derived from the notes in that key's scale. For example, in the key of C major, the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) is used to create chords such as C major, D minor, E minor, and so on, based on the notes of the scale.

What is the 'relative minor' and how is it related to the major key?

The 'relative minor' is the minor scale that shares the same notes as its relative major scale, but starts on the 6th note of the major scale. For example, the relative minor of C major is A minor, as both share the same notes but emphasize different starting points.

What is the difference between diatonic and non-diatonic notes or chords?

Diatonic notes and chords naturally occur within a given key, following the notes in the scale. Non-diatonic notes or chords are borrowed from outside the key and can create tension or variation. Non-diatonic chords are less common in popular music but can add unique flavor to compositions.

How does the number system help musicians with chord progressions?

The number system assigns a number to each chord in a key, based on its position in the scale (I, II, III, IV, etc.). This allows musicians to play chord progressions in any key by referring to the chord's number, making it easier to transpose and communicate musical ideas across different keys.

Why is understanding the major scale important for all guitar players?

The major scale is the foundation for most music in Western styles, including scales, chords, and keys. Understanding how the major scale works helps guitar players build chords, understand song structures, and improvise solos. It is essential for creating music and communicating with other musicians.