clear to me I NEED to do that "grunge-memorization-work"!

I played around in "C" today on a small Casio keyboard I have here, which is allowing me to visualize the chord construction. (I also discovered that each key is already lettered in one of the octaves on it.)

Rick....I went back and re-read your first post here..and see that you've already answered my question about 1, 3, 5 AND 8 that was in the chord I was hearing yesterday. I guess in elementary school I learned that the scale was 8 notes....low Do to high Do..so ending on 7 made no sense...initially. The exciting news for me was that on re-reading your initial post, it ALL made sense, as did some of the others......theoretically anyway BG

I also played around, counting I,IV,V in different keys I know on guitar. I know the base chords, for example, in "C" on guitar are C,F, and G7. Is there a SIMPLE explanation as to why the G7th is the V instead of just G??

I'm "harvesting" info posted here about which keys have what in them (#,b's)to memorize.......AFTER I've learned the individual notes in C on my guitar. I HOPE you meant just the first three frets, Rick. If not....I need some STRONG humor here!!!

I know I'm not the ONLY 'Catter here who has studiously avoided learning this stuff for years...so I will keep coming to class as long as school's open. I assume if I pay attention and don't gaze out the window too much, it'll help me learn to play the Hammered Dulcimer as well. Thank you ALL for doing this!!!!