1 Reply by budda0000

(22 replies, posted in Music theory)

I have not read all the posts, but reading (and writing) music notation is a real asset if you want to work in a band with other (musical) instruments.  TAB is fine for guitarists, but a trumpet player or a piano player cannot be expected to read it!!!

Simply put: Don't be musically lazy!  Learn the LANGUAGE of music.  If you can at least speak the language of music ... you are in.  If you cant .............. :-(

As a guitar teacher, I hear this all the time: "Why do I have to learn music (theory/read)"?  The answer should be obvious!

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2 Reply by budda0000

(4 replies, posted in Music theory)

Sometimes, if you can find the chord that is played as a seventh (I.e., major or minor with a flatted 7th note in it), it is probably the dominant seventh.  That means it is the 5th chord of the key.  Once you know what the 5th Key chord is, just count up 5 HALF TONES (ie., 5 fretts) and the note that you come to (whatever it is) will be the ROOT NOTE or the main note of the key.  In Major scales, the chords run M, m, m, M, M(usually played as a seventh chord), m, diminished, and finally Major. (M = Major, m= minor).  E.g., the basic chords of the key of C major are: C Major, D minor, E minor, F Major, G Major (7th, or better known as the DOMINANT seventh), A minor, B diminished, and finally C Major again.  This is the FORMULA for ALL major scales.

Check it out! :-))

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3 Reply by budda0000

(13 replies, posted in Music theory)

I am a guitarist and teacher of many years.  To initially negate these very involved and confusing debates especially to the newbies, I simply instruct (those who are ready), to "Call any chord a Key.  Key implies scale.  Construct the chord (major or minor) from that major scale.  If a minor is needed, find the third and flatten it".  (Thus; the chord spelling)!  This also applies of course to any extended note(s), e.g., C7-9, G7#5b9, etc.  It works just fine for the *initial* introduction to chord construction.

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4 Reply by budda0000

(7 replies, posted in Music theory)

The help that you have already received is really good, and I really can't add to it much, with the exception of get a good basic chord chart and you will also NEED to learn the NATURAL notes of your guitar neck.  Once you learn these (notes) you will be able to form "chord shapes" and be able eventually to play anything!  It usually comes as a rather pleasant surprise to newbies that many standard chords have 'shapes'.  Basically, there are only about 6 shapes (notwithstanding extensions, which you may learn about later.  If you look carefully, you will notice several different chords 'look' sorta the same, but in different positions on the neck!  Anyway, best of luck.  Don't get scared of new chords; many 'big looking' ones are actually quite simple! :-))
A single lesson from a good guitar teacher will instantly solve stacks of mysteries!

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