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| GUITAR: MUSIC THEORY - BEGINNER | |||
| The Guitar Music Theory course explains music theory using the guitar to illustrate the various subjects at the beginner level. These lessons are ideal for guitar players who want to learn about the theory behind what they're playing, knowledge that comes in handy when writing and arranging songs. The following subjects are covered in this course: Learning the notes on the guitar, rhythm and pitch notation, key signatures, major and minor scales, intervals, triads, chords and inversions. |
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| COURSE | LESSON | TEACHER | DESCRIPTION |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | The Major Scale | Tom Dempsey | Most of western music is organized by a system of scales and keys. A key is derived from the seven notes which are organized with a specific order of whole steps and half steps. In this lesson we are going to introduce the major scale beginning by discussing the construction of the scale. We will then begin to construct major scales off of specific tones. And we'll end up explaining the basic intervals associated with the major scale. The material in this lesson will act as a springboard for all of the information that will follow, so it's really important to really dig deeply into this subject and understand it thoroughly. Let's get started. |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Key Signatures | Tom Dempsey | In a previous lesson, we worked on understanding the construction of major scales and, in that lesson, we discovered that, in order to meet the intervallic requirements of a major scale, we had to add accidentals to maintain that consistant sound. In this lesson, we are going to go deeper into our understanding of key signatures. I will discuss the order of sharp keys as well as the order of flat keys and show you some ways to better understand this concept. I will also talk to you about a very important theoretical concept: the cycle of 4ths and the cycle of 5ths. This, too, will help you to understand key signatures better. There's a whole bunch of great stuff in this lesson, so let's dig in... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | The Relative Minor | Tom Dempsey | So far we have dealt with learning about major keys, but there are more than major keys out there, there are also minor keys. In this lesson we are going to introduce you to this concept of relative minor and show you how to derive the natural minor scale from our major scale. Then, well compare the differences between the major scale and the parallel minor scale. Ill finish up our discussion by comparing relative major and minor keys and parallel minor keys. This is going to be an exciting lesson full of new insight. Lets get started checking out this material. |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Intervals (Unisons, 2nds and 3rds) | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we are going to begin our in-depth look at intervals. Your ability to identify intervals mentally, visually, aurally, and on the guitar is an essential skill to acquire on your journey to becoming a stronger musician. Here, we will discuss five specific intervals, beginning with the perfect unison and continuing with the major and minor 2nds and 3rds. All of the aspects of intervals will be covered here. When you think about it, intervals are related to all aspects of melody and harmony, so becoming proficient with intervals can not be emphasized enough. Let's get to work... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Intervals (Perfect 4ths and 5ths) | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we are going to take a look at two more intervals: the perfect fourth and the perfect fifth. We'll continue to study these intervals both melodically and harmonically and relate them to the guitar. As with the previous lesson, we will work on learning them conceptually, hearing and recognizing the sound of the intervals, and playing them on the guitar. So, let's go check them out... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Intervals (Major and Minor 6ths) | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we're going to take a look at major and minor 6ths. These intervals are going to span a much larger range that the other intervals we've studied so far but, assuming that you're comfortable with all of your intervals through the perfect 5th, these shouldn't be too difficult for you. We will work on learning them conceptually, hearing and recognizing the sound of the intervals, and playing them on the guitar. So, let's go check them out... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Intervals (Major and Minor 7ths and Perfect Octaves) | Tom Dempsey | In this third lesson on intervals, I will present three more intervals: the major seventh, minor seventh and perfect octave. As we have done in the previous lessons, we will study these intervals for aural recognition, conceptual understanding and their application to the guitar. By now, I'm sure you're starting to understand the true benefits of learning your intervals. It has a tremendous impact on your guitar playing, as well as your overall musicianship. As you become more proficient in your knowledge of intervals, everything from your accompaniment skills to your soloing skills will be positively influenced. Great stuff ahead in this lesson, so let's get started... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Augmented and Diminished Intervals and Interval Inversion | Tom Dempsey | This lesson will deal with the remaining intervals within the octave. These intervals include: the augmented fourth, the diminished fifth and the augmented fifth. We will also talk about augmented and diminished intervals in general, defining how they are used. We'll finish this lesson with a talk about interval inversion - and a pretty easy way for you to figure out your interval inversions. If you have made it this far, you only have a little further to go to really have a complete perspective on the intervals within the span of one octave. The stronger you are with this material, the stronger your musicianship will become. So, let's get started with this material... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Chords (Major and Minor Triads) | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we will begin our study of chords by looking at root-position triads. Triads are the building-blocks of harmony is Western Music. You may have been playing these chords for years and never really understood what they are. They may have remained names like G minor C diminished. Well, here we will de-mystify all this information and show you how you can start to figure out chords throughout the guitar. Coupled with your knowledge of intervals, learning about these chords will take on a new meaning. So, let's get to work. |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Diminished and Augmented Triads | Tom Dempsey | In this next installment of our journey through Tom's Magical Music Theory Wonderland, we will continue our study of triads by looking at the construction of the diminished and augmented triads. As we've done previously, we will look at the construction of these chords indvidually and look at some different ways to play these chords on the guitar. Becoming proficient with triads is very important. After completing this lesson, our knowledge of triads will be rounded out nicely. So, let's get started... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | First Inversion Triads | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we are going to continue our study of triads by looking at triads in first inversion. We will define what 'first inversion' means in reference to triad construction and show the various ways that first inversion triads can be notated. We'll also look at some moveable voicings we can use to play first inversion triads all throughout the neck of the guitar. Learning about our root position chords, I'm sure, has opened up some ideas for you. Getting a handle on this information will do the same, so, let's get started... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | First Inversion Diminished and Augmented Triads | Tom Dempsey | In the last lesson, we looked at the first inversions of major and minor triads. We are going to continue our exploration of the world of triads here by looking at the first inversions of the diminished and augmented triads. Many of the same principles that we looked at in the last lesson will apply here, except that now we are going to apply them to a different sonority. This will continue to strengthen all of the different concepts that we have seen thus far. So, let's go dig into this harmony and check out the first inversion diminished and augmented triads. |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Second Inversion Major and Minor Triads | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we will take a look at second inversion major and minor triads. As with the previous lessons, we'll learn about the construction of second inversion triads, how they can be notated, and I'll show you some moveable voicing shapes you can 'plug in' to play second inversion major and minor triads across the neck. This will open up new voicing possibilities for you and help to strengthen your theoretical skills. There's a lot of great information in this lesson, so, let's get to work... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Second Inversion Diminished and Augmented Triads | Tom Dempsey | One more lesson to go in our exploration of triad inversions. In this lesson, we're going to take a look at the second-inversion voicings of diminished and augmented triads. As we've done in the previous lessons, we'll take a look at the second inversion voicings to reinforce our theoretical knowledge of the concept. We'll apply this knowledge to forming second inversion triads on the guitar neck and I'll show you some moveable voicings you can use to find second inversion diminished and augmented triads. You're harmonic knowledge is undoubtedly growing by leaps and bounds. This material will add more depth to your musicianship, so let's get started... |
| Beginner Guitar Theory | Diatonic Harmony of the Major Scale | Tom Dempsey | In this lesson, we will explore diatonic chords that can be built naturally off of each degree of the major scale. This lesson is very important because, in studying this material, we will begin to understand how certain progressions are put together. Understanding how harmonic progressions are composed is an essential skill for all musicians to understand thoroughly. Once you are familiar with this concept, you will be able to apply it throughout all twelve keys. This will have a huge impact on your musical understanding. All of the previous material we have studied is going to come into play here: intervals, scale knowledge, chord construction - it all connects. So, let's get ready to explore diatonic harmony! |
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