Music Theory - The Fundamentals

Are 12 tones used in western music.

Some cultures differ.
7 are named from the alphabet.

A B C D E F G

The piano is such a great visual instrument we will use it occasionally when talking about music theory.
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.

The sharp sign #
raises a note a
half step.

A# = Bb

C# = Db

D# = Eb

F# = Gb

G# = Ab

The flat sign b
lowers a note a
half step.

Introduction of Guitar Notes

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.

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.

Apply new knowledge to guitar!

Take a look at the piano again and note there are no black keys between:
B and C or
E and F
Tip: To help remember these think of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.
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.
Any other alphabet letter you land on will have a whole step to the next alphabet letter.
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!
Eddie
Bought
Grandma
Doughnuts
And
Eggs

Notice: we have two E strings.
1st string (Eddie) is high E
6th string (Eggs) is our low E

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

Pradeep Kathriarachchi

Music Engineer

Custom Search