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Music Theory - The Fundamentals
(excerpt from members lesson 1)
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There are 12
tones used in western music.
Some cultures differ.
7 are named from
the alphabet.
A
B C D E F G
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The piano is such a great
visual instrument we will use it occasionally when talking
about music theory.
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The white keys on the piano are simply
the 7 letters repeating over and over.
The remaining 5 (black keys
on the piano) each have 2 names.
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The sharp sign
#
raises a note a
half step.
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A#
= Bb
C# = Db
D# = Eb
F# = Gb
G# = Ab
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The flat sign
b
lowers a note a
half step.
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Terms
to Know!
Half Step- is the smallest distance between two notes.
On the guitar, one fret to the very next fret.
On the piano,
one key to the very next key. |
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Whole Step- two half steps.
On the guitar, one fret, skip a fret to the next
fret. On the piano, one key, skip a key to the next key.
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new knowledge to guitar! |
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a look at the piano again and note there are no black keys between:
B and C or
E and F
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| Tip:
To help remember these think of Bert and Ernie from Sesame
Street. |
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Anytime you
land on a B (Bert), one half step higher to the next fret is
C. Land on E (Ernie) and the very next fret higher is F. |
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other alphabet letter you land on will have a whole step to
the next alphabet letter. |
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Music Notation!
The 7 alphabet letters (notes) are placed on the staff in order. The
staff is made up of 5 lines in which notes can be put on a line or
in between the lines on spaces.
Guitar Strings!
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- Eddie
- Bought
- Grandma
- Doughnuts
- And
- Eggs
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Notice:
we have two E strings.
- 1st string (Eddie) is high E
- 6th string (Eggs) is our low E
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Play Guitar!
Up and down open strings 6 3 2 1 (You
do not need your fret hand at all).
Do not worry about the time signature or counting just yet.
Use your ears.
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
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p = thumb
i = index
m = middle
a = ring
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midi file right click
to open in new window.for slower connections
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This
is a great exercise to practice with both a pick and your fingers.
When using a pick the first 4 notes should be down picked and then
up pick the last 2.
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Next Free Lesson
Scales
The above lesson is taken from lesson 1
in the members section. For a complete online method designed
to have lots of fun while learning the guitar, become a member
today! Learn More
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