How Are Chords Built?
A chord is built by choosing a root note and adding other notes at specific distances, called intervals. A basic major chord uses root, major third and perfect fifth. A minor chord lowers the third by one fret.
Read the guideScales & Music Theory
Roots, intervals, major and minor scales, pentatonic and blues scales, chord construction, keys and Roman-numeral progressions.
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Scales & Music Theory
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What Are Musical Intervals?
An interval is the distance between two notes. On guitar, one fret equals one semitone, so intervals can be seen and heard as repeatable fretboard distances.
Read the guideWhat Do Roman Numerals Mean in Chord Progressions?
Roman numerals label chords by their position in a key. In C major, C is I, D minor is ii, E minor is iii, F is IV, G is V, A minor is vi and B diminished is…
Read the guideWhat Is a Musical Key?
A musical key is a tonal home built around one main note and a related set of notes and chords. In the key of G major, G feels like the point of rest.
Read the guideWhat Is a Musical Scale?
A scale is an ordered set of notes arranged from low to high or high to low. On guitar, scale shapes show where those notes repeat across the fretboard.
Read the guideWhat Is a Root Note?
The root note is the note that names and centres a chord, scale or arpeggio. In an A minor chord or A minor scale, A is the root.
Read the guideWhat Is the Blues Scale?
The blues scale is the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth, often called the blue note. That extra note creates tension and is usually used as a passing or expressive tone.
Read the guideWhat Is the Major Scale?
The major scale is a seven-note pattern built with whole and half steps: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. It is the foundation for major keys, intervals and many chord progressions.
Read the guideWhat Is the Minor Pentatonic Scale?
The minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale with root, minor third, fourth, fifth and minor seventh. It is widely used for blues, rock, metal and beginner improvisation.
Read the guideWhat Is the Natural Minor Scale?
The natural minor scale has seven notes and the formula whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Compared with major, its third, sixth and seventh degrees are lower.
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