Basic Music Theory lesson on the Major scale and the 4 main Triads.

[cravingmusic]

I've noticed that beginners always have trouble finding just a basic music theory lessons and often spend months in a rut just because they can't find one. This happened to me aswell so I figured I'd give just a basic lesson. I'm still a beginner myself so if there are any mistakes go ahead and correct them for me.

First off, don't go running to a scale book if you see a scale that confuses you. Find the notes on guitar and learn the scale by that. Scale books often only give you one way to play the scale, chord, arpeggio, or anything for that matter. So learn it yourself, it helps in the long run.

On to the Music Theory...

Lets start off with the Major scale and 4 main triads.

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Scales are built on what we call "Whole Steps" and "Half Steps". Each scale as a certain pattern of W and H steps. (W = Whole step, H = Half step)

The basis of all scales is the "Major" scale also known as the "Ionian" scale. It's W and H note pattern is W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

Now lets do this in the key of C since it contains no sharps nor flats in its Major scale.
The easiest way to do this is simply to write down every single note on a sheet of paper then start at your root and follow the pattern. Note that every single sharp has a flat and vice versa. Such as C# is the same as Db, D# is the same as Eb. Fb is the same as E (E has no sharp, and is very rarely written as an E# since thats just an F. )

C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Bb B C

Now starting on the C follow the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern.
This leaves you with C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

Scales are often written in numbers as well, if you ever see this always assume the Major scale is the parent scale unless told otherwise. So a Major scale written as numbers is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7. The next note in the scale is the C, this can either be written as a 1 or an 8. By parent scale I mean if you had lets say your Aeolian scale also known as the Minor scale it'd be written as 1-2b3-4-5-b6-b7 meaning you would flatten the 3rd, 6th, and 7th note of the Major or parent scale in what ever key your in.
Such as C, so it'd be C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb, but don't worry about the Aeolian scale right now, just know the number system.

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Now that you know the Major scale lets move onto the 4 main triads of which all chords are built. Make sure your writing all this down! We'll be coming back to the Major scale shortly and using the number system all through out the lesson.

There are 4 main triads (Tri means 3, so these are 3 notes) of which all chords and arpeggio are built on, along with a number of other things.

The Major triad is written as an 1-3-5. Meaning you would take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th note from the Major scale of whatever key the chord is and that would be your chord. So it'd be C-E-G. You probably already know this as your C chord on guitar. There are many many other ways to play it as well, so don't let yourself get locked into this one position for it. Notice this is NOT a CmajX (X being the extension such as 7,9,11,13...) chord. We'll worry about extensions later, until then lets move onto the next triad.

The Minor triad is written as 1-b3-5. It's the same thing as your Major triad just with a flat 3rd. So just flatten the 3rd of any Major triad and you've just made it minor! In the key of C this would be C-Eb-G. Its written as Cm mean meaning minor.

The Augmented triad is written as an 1-3-#5. Same thing as a Major triad, just sharpen the 5. In the key of C this would be C-E-G# and its written as C+ or Caug typically.

The Diminished triad is 1-b3-b5. Same thing as a Major triad just with a flattened 3rd and a flattened 5th. Its typically written as a Cdim.

*Please note there are many many other ways to write these triads/chords and scales, these are just the most common that I've noticed.

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There is so much more "basic" theory for you to learn, such as how to construct the modes of the Major scale, the 7ths of the chords, on which Jazz and Blues are practically built on. The Harmonic, Pentatonic, and Melodic Minor scales and there modes. So on and so fourth.

I hope I helped out just a few people with this short lesson, if you have any questions, notice anything doesn't work quite right, or just need a little more info on something that was mentioned in this lesson just post below.

I'll go on with more lessons if people like this one enough. Thanks (:

-CravingMusic-

[basile865]

Hey man, I dig it! I've been playing for 17 years by ear but I'm finally taking the time to get my theory together. Can you go on about the modes? Harmonic, Penta, Melodic Minor etc.

[cravingmusic]

Sure thing! Im rather new to all this and Im self taught. So far my improvisation goes as far as my scale knowledge, yesterday I started in on arpeggios and what not as well. Ill gladly give you my knowledge if you teach me what you know as well (: We all just need to learn from each-other. Thats what music is all about right?

[basile865]

you got it man.

My name is Rob - you can youtube me........its mostly more blues/rock with a hint of jazz kind of vibe as far as the stuff on there.....if you have any questions regarding THAT stuff I'm happy to help you. As for jazz I'm pretty new to it myself, and I play all by ear. Now I'm trying to get my theory stuff together so I can open my ear a little more towards jazz players like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Kreisburg, etc.

[cravingmusic]

Just posted the lesson up, and nice to meet you Rob. (: My names CravingMusic, Id rather not put my real name out there on the net since Im younger. But everyone on here seems extremely friendly and helpful. You can private message me if you'd like to talk more or have any further messages.