Guitar Theroy (Lesson 1)
Anyone care to start a thread on guitar theory?
Let me start with lesson one.
There are two great keys to work with on the guitar, C for theory based reasons and G because it starts in a very nice position on the guitar neck. For theroy why not start with the easiest key. That is the key of C because when the notes are spelled out there are no sharps or flats.
There are seven notes in a scale of which numbers can be assigned.
So we have these seven notes in the Key of C.
C(1) D(2) E(3) F(4) G(5) A(6) B(7)
Note that the numbers represent a counting system that will become more important later on. But for now just remember that we can count the notes as well.
Now lets talk about Intervals. An interval is the distance between two notes. In the key of C shown above we are showing the Major scale. So this is the C Major scale which has specific intervals between guitar notes.
The intervals are:
C to D = 1 step
D to E = 1 step
E to F = 1/2 step
F to G = 1 step
G to A = 1 step
A to B = 1 step
B to C = 1/2 step (one octave)
Intervals will become very important later on when we discuss how chords are made.
Ok now it's time for you to try to find these notes on your guitar. Start by finding the C which is on the A string (5th string) 3rd fret. Then realize that 1 step = two frets and use the formula to find all the notes. There are two directions you can go 1) Striaight up the neck and 2) Using three notes per string go across the neck from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Practice this scale for 1 week and commit the interval patterns to memory, once you've done that go one to Lesson 2
Here's some links for major scales on the guitar: c major guitar scale - Google Search
Some guitarists prefer this technique (3 notes per string)
Technique Guitar Lesson - Playing The Major Scale With Three Notes Per String
New Song Cafe (God of Wonders) How to play it.... (Easy song)
Anyone care to start a thread on guitar theory?
Let me start with lesson one.
There are two great keys to work with on the guitar, C for theory based reasons and G because it starts in a very nice position on the guitar neck. For theroy why not start with the easiest key. That is the key of C because when the notes are spelled out there are no sharps or flats.
There are seven notes in a scale of which numbers can be assigned.
So we have these seven notes in the Key of C.
C(1) D(2) E(3) F(4) G(5) A(6) B(7)
Note that the numbers represent a counting system that will become more important later on. But for now just remember that we can count the notes as well.
Now lets talk about Intervals. An interval is the distance between two notes. In the key of C shown above we are showing the Major scale. So this is the C Major scale which has specific intervals between guitar notes.
The intervals are:
C to D = 1 step
D to E = 1 step
E to F = 1/2 step
F to G = 1 step
G to A = 1 step
A to B = 1 step
B to C = 1/2 step (one octave)
Intervals will become very important later on when we discuss how chords are made.
Ok now it's time for you to try to find these notes on your guitar. Start by finding the C which is on the A string (5th string) 3rd fret. Then realize that 1 step = two frets and use the formula to find all the notes. There are two directions you can go 1) Striaight up the neck and 2) Using three notes per string go across the neck from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Practice this scale for 1 week and commit the interval patterns to memory, once you've done that go one to Lesson 2
Here's some links for major scales on the guitar: c major guitar scale - Google Search
Some guitarists prefer this technique (3 notes per string)
Technique Guitar Lesson - Playing The Major Scale With Three Notes Per String
New Song Cafe (God of Wonders) How to play it.... (Easy song)