Colaborative Music Theory (Page 1 of 3)

interested

I think he was just messing with you. I wouldn't take offense. Some easy to follow theory lessons would be great.

I suppose that I would be interested

It's all good .  The only thing that I am looking to do is help some people with basic music theory. 

Once you understand the basics, you will then be able to construct melodies, chords, scales and FREE yourself to concentrate on performing.  This may seem very basic, but I like to teach from the ground up so there are no HOLES in learning this stuff.

Lesson 2

In lesson one you learned about the five natural notes which were A B D C E F and G.  Now it is time to learn about the sharp and flats.

A sharp symbol (#) placed after a natural note means to play the very next note higher.

A flat symbol (b) placed after a natural note means to play the very next note lower.

BASIC RULE:

B up to the very next note is C and not B#.
C down to the very next note is B and not Cb.

E up to the very next note is F and not E#.
C down to the very next note is B and not Cb.

This basic rule will be broken when learning about the 12 keys in music, but for now remember the basic rule.

Here are a few examples of sharps and flats.

C up to the very next note is C#.
D up the very next note is D#.
E down to the very next note is Eb.
A down to the very next note is Ab.

B up to the very next note is B# NOT.. Just checking to see if you are paying attention . 

That's all for this lesson

Keep Jammin

Steve

QUESTION:

So, if I'm playing something in the key of C sharp major, what is the next note up from B?

ANSWER:

Since the key of C# major has all sharps (C#,D#,E#,F#,G#,A#,B#) the very next note up from B would be B#.

B# is the seventh degree in C# major so B would be a flat 7.

Also, this is the main scale (C# major) that breaks the BASIC RULE mentioned in the last lessons.

This is one of those cases where theory complicates things more than it has to be . 

Steve

Bofore going on any further, I would like to let you know a little bit about myself.

I have been playing guitar for 27 years.  Started taking lessons for about a year and then stopped because my guitar teacher passed away.

I decided to be a self taught musician and studied everything I could get my hands on.

I played in a Rock band Massachussetts for 15 years as the lead guitar player along with some lead and backup vocals.

At this time I own my own home studio and teach guitar at home.  Enough about me (unless you have any questions).

Don't give up so easy just take Lessons 1 and 2 for what they are. 

Think about your goals as a musician.

If you just want to read and strum chords then do just that.

If you would like to become a well rounded musician that can understand and play other instruments like bass, drums, keys, etc.. then this BASIC THEORY is important.

Maybe there are some people who would like to learn to play multiple instruments in a home studio for recording purposes, again this BASIC theory is important.

Theory has helped me to the point I don't have to think about anymore.  The rewards are priceless for the time and effort spent learning theory.

I truly am here to help who ever wants it.

Keep Jamming

Steve

Hi canudigit/Steve
Welcome to Chordie
Thanks for taking the time posting your theory lessons...
I've got question sorry not of the theory type more about yourself if that's ok...
Do you have any websites like Myspace or soundclick where I could have a listen to some of your music. I'm always interested in other musicians music.
ark

Here is the definition of an expert

A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

I could have been so eloquent with the words like jerome.oneil. 

Eloquent

Characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse: an eloquent speaker; an eloquent sermon.

You can say what you want but I am an expert and that's that.  I bet I have been playing more years than you were born!

If this was an class on being an English major I might have used those COOL words, but I like to speak so others can understand.

The way you stated this previously is just another way of saying exactly what I said, just in a different way.

I am amazed at how you treat someone who is giving his time and efforts to HELP others out. 

Also I only wanted to let others get a feel for who I am as a musician and not brag.

I did not see the previous post on this subject so I wasn't aware.

I hope to get some more backup (thanks arkady) on this so I can keep this thread going.  At this point I feel like I am being bashed.

I think the "expert" in the title of the topic kind of ruffled a few feathers I dont call myself an expert even tho I have been playing for over 45 years there's always something new to learn, it comes down to levels of understanding and comprehension and execution mostly execution I always like to hear new artist so I kinda go along with Arkady on seeing and hearing so I can decide how much expertise anyone has or has not

I'm with you, wlbaye.  I'm just pickin an grinnin to my hearts content.  I even get a little better on ocassion.

Hi Canudigit, and WELCOME to Chordie!

  Like many others here I am self-taught and not as well educated in the theory side as I would like.  Constantly reading everything related and searching for the verbage that will result in the "Ah-Ha" moment when the flash-bulb of understanding ties all the little fragments of knowledge gained together.

  So to that end I am certainly not going to turn down any offers of assistance, and appreciate your interest in teaching us what you know from a different viewpoint.

  Everybody here on Chordie are willing to share and support those learners out there, and I'm sure that your contributions are heartfelt and will be appreciated.  Thanks for coming aboard and Welcome.

Take Care;
Doug

Well, no.

The measure of an expert is accuracy.  And the statement "B up to the very next note is C and not B#," fundamentally, is wrong.  It is *not* a basic rule.  It is an artifact of how scales are built and is only true for certain keys.  While in practical application on the fretboard (most of us will never use those keys where it is relevant)  that does not make it "true." 

Theory exists apart from any particular instrument.  And as a science of intervals, we should try to be as accurate as possible in the words we use, so as to avoid confusion.  This is particularly true when we risk propagating falsehoods learned by rote ("there is no B#") rather than understanding how scales are derived, and what that means for particular intervals. 

The notes that "exist" are entirely dependent on the key that you play in.  Sometimes B# is real.   There are at least seven different modal scales that contain it derived from C# major. 

If this were a class on theory, you would be marked wrong on your statement.