Basic Music Theory Question

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 12:22 PM

"i don't want to depend on a capo, unless i have to"

Joy - a capo is a wonderful tool that will enhance the sounds you get from your guitar. There's much snobbery about using capos from guitar players who like to show off their skills on the fretboard, but as with all types of show-offs, they miss 3/4 of life's pleasures by operating on a sub-plane. Very sad and mis-guided folk.

The acoustic guitar rings beautifully with chords that include open strings. It's great to be able to play in all keys using Barre chords up to the 10th fret, but not necessary unless maybe you have ambitions to play in a jazz band. Don't look upon placement of a capo merely as a means of changing key, but as a means of getting the best sounds out of your guitar.

Try playing chords in the key of D, with the dropped E bass string down to D, and put your capo, say, on the 5th or 7th frets (therefore playing in Key of G or A) and you'll get the point.

Good Luck - Jim

(If you want a DIY Chord transposer - I built an Excel spreadsheet that does the job reasonably OK. Let me know if you're interested.)

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 01:24 PM

I recommend some good lessons on chords and the circle of fifths written by a friend of mine.

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 01:33 PM

I will add the following about the links in my previous post: He makes it all so easy!

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: M.Ted
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 01:44 PM

John in Kansas came up with a "where's the best place to go wading at the beach" analogy that I kind of liked--though he thought we were giving unnecessarily complex answers--

My point is simply that the answers get complex because a lot of times when there is a body of water, there is no beach--

In this case, between the land and the water, there is a swamp marsh with a mucky bottom, and all sorts of unforseen problems that come up after you're ankle deep in the water--

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:01 PM

...which is why people invent shortcuts like the Nashville Numbering System. It gets people up and running fast without getting bogged down in technical terminology and complicated ideas.

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:41 PM

One of the hardest things to learn -- and it is really just a question of sitting and listening like forever, unless you are musically talented -- is how chord changes work when you are playing. R. Fielding used to work me over endlessly to hear the changes, and then connect them -- "can you hear the C, C7, F" movement", etc. Eventually I began to be able to hear them, but it was weird -- as soon as I got some theory, it got easier to pick out with my ear what was happening, and I could anticipate what was going to happen next.

An interesting mix of theory and lots of listening.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: M.Ted
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 02:13 PM

You have to know everything mentioned above to even understand what the Nashville Numbering system is---And if you don't know what 6 is when 1 is Bb, you are out of luck--

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: Gypsy
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 08:29 PM

Er, Dorian is available in alot more than D. Same goes for Aeolian. T'enny rate, to Barbara: I lied. The correct name is: The complete idiots guide to Music Theory, by Michael Miller. Runs about 20$ USD, published 2002. REALLY lucid home course. Highly recommend!

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: GUEST,Joy W.
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:41 PM

Guest Jim,

I'm interested in seeing that DIY chord transposer you mentioned.

yours,
Joy

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: Gary T
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 03:17 PM

To transpose chord sequences: move every chord in the song up (or down) the same number of half steps. Change only the letter name (e.g. Eb to C), retain the type of chord (e.g. major, minor, 7th). The basic knowledge needed to do this is knowing the chromatic scale and knowing how to count -- by which I mean you don't have to know about mediant triads or Doric modes to simply transpose chords.

To transpose chords often and more easily, use the number system previously mentioned. For example, the typical "three chord" song in the key of C will have the following chords: C, F, and G (or G7). These are called the I, IV, and V (or V7) chords in the key of C because c, f, & g are notes # 1, 4, & 5 in a C major scale. To transpose to the key of X, use the I, IV, & V chords in the key of X, which are named after notes # 1, 4, & 5 in the key of X. For example, if X is the key of G, the chords would be G, C, and D, because the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes in a G major scale are g, c, and d. To use this system, it really helps to know the major scale in the keys used, and/or the formula for constructing a major scale (it's fairly simple if you know the chromatic scale, the formula, and can count).

Next I would suggest finding a booklet that lists common chord sequences. I see them at almost all music stores. Getting familiar with typical sequences, such as I-IV-V and I-IV-VIm-V, can help a lot with both working out the chords to a song you hear and getting practice transposing.

It's great to be able to play in a number of different keys, but unless you want to master every chord in every key -- a HUGE task -- you'll find the capo helpful. Playing in the key of Db is a whole lot easier when playing "key of C" forms capoed up a half step than when playing "key of Db" forms.

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 05:50 PM

You can make a simple chord transposer by writing out the notes in the scale you are in; then writing the notes in the key you want to be in under that--(someone mentioned this above, I think)--


G A B   C D E F# G
C D E   F G A   B   C


All of the extras, like minor, or 13b9b5, will stay the same--


Often, especially when you play in a pick-up band, you will have to transpose a song on the spot--especially when you are working with a vocalist--it relatively easy to do if you know that the progression goes from I to VI to II to V, or, in words, Tonic, Submediant, Supertonic, and Dominant---why so much fuss about learning seven little words?

Subject: RE: Basic Music Theory Question
From: pavane
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 02:48 AM

Gypsy, I didn't want to confuse the issue with modes transposed! Naturally, you can start a Dorian scale on any one of the 12 notes of a chromatic scale.

I also didn't mention the hypo variants. Words like Hypo-Mixolydian are enough to scare away experts, as well as beginners.

BTW, M.Ted, the transposing chart, slide-rule or wheel has been mentioned a few times already in this thread. I agree that you don't need anything else for this job than the ability to write out 2 lists of 8 or 12 (chromatic version) letters.