Theory Thunder Dash's Music Theory Help Thread!

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Hiya! So for those who know me around here...I usually like to review and critique people's music.

 

So after tutoring quite a few people in music...I figured I'd open up a place where people can ask questions about music theory, in order to help them in their compositions. 

 

Here are my specialties

 

1. Basic Theory

2. Scales and Chords

3. Chord Progressions

4. Modulations

5. Rhythm Patterns and fills

6. Phrasing

7. Effects

 

So, if you have any questions about music in terms of theory and chord progressions, leave them right here and I'll be sure to answer them!  

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Just bumping this thread up...

[ReGen 1,466]

Okay, i'll go first. I'd like a tutorial in basic theory, please.

 

...That's not how it works, is it?

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Okay, i'll go first. I'd like a tutorial in basic theory, please.

 

...That's not how it works, is it?

Okay, where would you like to start?

 

The very beginning?

[UCD 75]

I'm good on the theory, but I was wondering if you could critique some of my work? I'll send it to you through PM if you'd like.

 

 

Actually if you could help me with chord progression and modulation that be cool. I'm a drummer at heart so my rhythm is pretty good, but I feel like all of my work has basic progression so I wanna do something more intricate

[ReGen 1,466]

Okay, where would you like to start?

 

The very beginning?

 

Sure thing! I should let you know that I have been involved in concert band for about five or six years, so I understand the basics of sheet music, notes and all that jazz.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Sure thing! I should let you know that I have been involved in concert band for about five or six years, so I understand the basics of sheet music, notes and all that jazz.

Awesome! So what's the biggest thing you're struggling with right now?

[ReGen 1,466]

Awesome! So what's the biggest thing you're struggling with right now?

 

Hmm... I can't really say anything in particular. If I had to guess.... it would be starting off? I think that's more of a creativity issue, though. What would you say are the absolute basics of music theory? I'm not an experienced songwriter by any means!

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@,

 

Well, the basics include, notes, note names and basic chords.

 

From there, you'd move on to chord progressions and modulations.  

[ReGen 1,466]

Well, the basics include, notes, note names and basic chords.

 

From there, you'd move on to chord progressions and modulations.  

 

Well, I know the basic notes already, so I suppose basic chords then the progressions and modulations will do!

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Well, I know the basic notes already, so I suppose basic chords then the progressions and modulations will do!

Alright!

 

So, before we get started, do you know your basic chords?

[ReGen 1,466]

Alright!

 

So, before we get started, do you know your basic chords?

 

Uh... nope. :S

 

I should also note that I do not know how to play the piano or guitar.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@,

 

Okay, it's gonna be a little difficult then. It's best you download Finale Notepad 2012, as it will be a valuable resource for you. With it, you can make simple music scores ranging from piano solos to ensembles.  

[ReGen 1,466]

Okay, it's gonna be a little difficult then. It's best you download Finale Notepad 2012, as it will be a valuable resource for you. With it, you can make simple music scores ranging from piano solos to ensembles.  

 

Oof, I was afraid you'd say something along those lines!

 

Here's the thing: The most I can do songwriting-wise is through an application called LMMS, because all I have is Ubuntu. There are other sonwriting tools like Rosegarden and such which (I think) support notation. However, I have no idea how to set it up, and I can't seem to find any method of making it work with what I have, so LMMS is the best option for me.

 

I will take notes (no pun intended), if that's enough.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@,

 

Okay.

 

Ready to get started? It will get pretty heavy 

[ReGen 1,466]

@,

 

Okay.

 

Ready to get started? It will get pretty heavy 

 

Alrighty, go ahead. I'm sure I can take it!

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Alright, for the sake of keeping it easy, we'll stick with the key of C major. 

[ReGen 1,466]

Okay. I'm more used to Bb, but I think I can make it work.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@,

 

Bb is just a whole step down.

 

OK

 

CEG

 

^This chord seen here is known as the root chord

 

The root is the first note of the scale

 

C D E F G A B C

^ Root 

[ReGen 1,466]

Okay. The intervals between those notes are perfect thrids, right? I think I may be confusing that there. But I understand the root note chord.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Pepe

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Okay. The intervals between those notes are perfect thrids, right? I think I may be confusing that there. But I understand the root note chord.

Not quite perfect thirds. If that were so, you'd make an augmented chord. 

 

An augmented chord is when the 5th of the chord is raised by a halfstep, creating perfect thirds between all notes. 

 

In the case of a root chord, there's a minor 3rd between the 3rd and the 5th. 

[ReGen 1,466]

Not quite perfect thirds. If that were so, you'd make an augmented chord. 

 

An augmented chord is when the 5th of the chord is raised by a halfstep, creating perfect thirds between all notes. 

 

In the case of a root chord, there's a minor 3rd between the 3rd and the 5th. 

 

Aaaahh, okay! So it would be C E G# then?

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Aaaahh, okay! So it would be C E G# then?

For the augmented yes. But for the regular major chord, it's just CEG. 

[ReGen 1,466]

For the augmented yes. But for the regular major chord, it's just CEG. 

 

Ah, okay then. Sounds weird if you ask me, but carry on.

 

By the by, my battery is about to die out and i'll have to let it charge when it does, so you can message me the rest or wait another time.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

Ah, okay then. Sounds weird if you ask me, but carry on.

 

By the by, my battery is about to die out and i'll have to let it charge when it does, so you can message me the rest or wait another time.

Couldn't you use your laptop while it's charging? Anyway, we could always stay in this thread, since it's my official theory help thread.