Useful Music Theory Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (02:20) Lesson Introduction Randall Williams JamPlay Biography

For biographical information about Randall, check out his JamPlay biography.

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Randall Williams Official Site

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Contacting Randall

If you ever have any questions about the materials that Randall covers in his lessons, feel free to send him a private message, forum post, or comment here on JamPlay. You can also shoot him an email: Randall@whereisrandall.com

Lesson 1 Objectives

-Learn basic music theory concepts such as the diatonic chords of the major tonality.
-Explore common progressions that utilize these chords.
-Learn the basics of transposition.

Randall's Thoughts on Music Theory

Many music students have a tendency to get bogged down with music theory. For this reason, Randall takes a purely practical approach to teaching music theory. He does not teach theory without showing how it can directly be applied to playing the guitar. The music theory concepts presented in this series will help profoundly in the areas of composition, arranging, improvising, and playing with other musicians. In short, Randall's theory instruction is aimed at making you a better player. Chapter 2: (04:20) Scales & Chords Intervals

Scales are comprised of a set pattern of intervals. An interval is simply the distance between two notes.

Refer to the "Supplemental Content" section for a list of the most commonly occurring intervals in Western music.

Scale Degrees

Each note within a scale or mode typically carries out a specific melodic function. The name of each diatonic scale degree is listed below along with its function(s):

1– Tonic (stable scale degree)
2 – Supertonic (resolves to 1 or 3)
3– Mediant (relatively stable)
4– Subdominant (resolves up to 5 or down to 3)
5– Dominant (relatively stable)
6– Submediant (functions as upper neighbor to 5 or passing from 5-6-7-1.
7– Leading Tone (resolves to 1. It can also function in a descending sequence from 1 to 6 or 1 to 5.)

Diatonic Triads

Within the major scale, a diatonic triad can be built from each note in the scale. In this case, Roman numerals are used to denote a triad built from a specific scale degree. Uppercase Roman numerals indicate a chord that is built from a major or augmented triad. Lowercase Roman numerals indicate a minor or diminished triad. The diatonic triads built from each scale degree in the key of C major are listed below.

I - C
ii - Dm
iii - Em
IV - F
V - G
vi - Am
viio - Bo

It's important to remember the quality of each diatonic triad. "Quality" refers to whether a chord is major, minor, diminished, dominant, etc. The majority of the diatonic chords are major. Just make a note of where the exceptions occur. In a major key, the I, IV, and V chords are major. The remaining diatonic chords are either minor or diminished.

Common Progressions

The I, IV, V progression is one of the most common progressions used in music. In the key of C, this progression consists of the following chords: C, F, and G. Randall demonstrates countless songs in upcoming lessons that utilize this progression. Chapter 3: (03:43) Using Chords Chord Substitutions

In folk, rock, and blues music, the viio chord is used less frequently than the bVII major chord. In other words, in the key of C major, Bb major is often used instead of Bo in the context of a progression in C major. However, it should be noted that the viio chord is frequently used in classical music and jazz.

Note: At 02:30, the chord that Randall refers to as "B diminished" is actually just a B7 chord.
Chapter 4: (07:13) Thinking in Numbers The guitar rhythm Randall plays at the beginning of the scene consists solely of quarter notes. Each chord is played with a downstroke and palm muting. For more information about palm muting, please refer to the following lessons: Dennis Hodges Metal Lesson 3 and Jim Deeming Phase 1 Lesson 18.

Play Along Exercises

All of the play along exercises are notated under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

At 00:38, play along with Randall. Switch to the chords that he calls out. This will train your mind to think in terms of Roman numerals or "Nashville numbers" on the fly.

Progressions Used in Play Along

I - IV - V, I - vi - ii - V (01:51)

I - II - IV - V (02:58)

Remember that the ii chord is minor within a major key. When a major II chord is played, this chord is referred to as a non-diatonic chord, or an example of chromaticism. The D major chord contains an F# note. Whereas D minor, the diatonic ii chord, contains an F natural.

I - II - IV - V - I (04:06)

ii - iii - IV - V - I (04:18) Chapter 5: () Circle of 5ths Note: The following information pertaining to the circle of fifths is taken from Matt Brown's fifth Phase 2 Jazz Lesson. Refer to this lesson for additional information.

A. Features of the Circle

1. The Title

The circle of fifths is frequently referred to as the circle of fourths or cycle of fourths. These various titles all refer to the same diagram. The reasoning behind the two different titles is explained later in the lesson.

2. Order of Flats

At the beginning of any guitar sheet music, you will notice three features. The first symbol written on the staff is the treble clef sign. The treble clef is frequently referred to as the 'G clef." This is because the circular bottom portion of the symbol indicates where the note G occurs on the staff. Guitar music is always written in treble clef. The only exception occurs when a walking bass line is arranged for 7-string guitar. There are other clef symbols. For example, bass instruments are written in bass clef. Alto clef is another common clef. The key signature follows the appropriate clef symbol. This indicates the key that the piece is in. A key signature is comprised of either sharps or flats. The key of C is the only exception. It contains no sharps or flats.

When a key signature containing one or more flats is written out, the flats always appear in the same order. This is known as the "order of flats." A flat is written on the staff to indicate that a certain note is to be flatted throughout the course of the piece. The flats follow this order: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb. It is very important that you memorize the order of flats. Develop some sort of mnemonic device to help you.

Now, take a look at the actual circle. The circle of fifths is laid out in a manner similar to that of a clock. The key of C major is always written at the top in the 12 o'clock position. This is because the key signature for C major contains no sharps or flats. If you move one section to the left of the circle (11 o’clock position), one flat is added to the key signature. This particular key signature denotes the key of F.

The note F is a perfect fourth above C. If you move around the circle in a counterclockwise motion, each subsequent key is a perfect fourth above the last. This is why this diagram is often referred to as the "circle of fourths." If you start at C and move around the circle in a clockwise motion, each subsequent key is a perfect fifth above the previous key. When moving around the diagram in this direction, you are moving in a circle of fifths.

From the order of flats, we know that the first flat is Bb. So, in the key of F, the note B is flatted. As a result, here is how an F major scale is spelled: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F.

If we move one space counterclockwise from F, we reach the key of Bb Major. Notice how one additional flat is added to the key signature. The second flat in the order of flats is Eb. Thus, the key of Bb Major contains two flats-Bb and Eb. Here is the spelling of a Bb Major scale: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb. As we continue to move around the circle in this direction, one flat is added to the key signature each time.

3. Order of Sharps

Return to the key of C at the top of the circle. This time we will move around the circle in a clockwise direction. Each time we move one space, one sharp is added to the key signature. For example, the first key after C is the key of G. The key of G contains one sharp. The sharps are always written in the following order: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#. "Fat cats get drunk at every bar" is an excellent mnemonic device that will help you remember the order of sharps.

Since G contains only one sharp, this sharp is F#. As a result, the key of G is spelled as follows: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G. If we move counterclockwise one space (up another perfect fifth interval) we reach the key of D. The key of D contains two sharps-F# and C#.

B. Learning New Repertoire

Every time you learn a new song or piece, first determine what key it is in. Use the circle of fifths as a reference guide to determine the key center. There are a few tricks to learn that will enable you to recognize the key without looking at the circle of fifths.

1. Trick for Flat Keys

Loot at the second to last flat written in the key signature. This flat names the key. For example, look at a key signature containing three flats (Bb, Eb, and Ab). The second to last flat written is Eb. Thus, the name of this key is Eb major.



Look at the very last sharp written. The note a half step above the last sharp names the key. For example, look at a key signature that contains five sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). A half step above A# is B. Thus, this key is named B major.

Look at a key signature containing three sharps (F#, C#, G#). A half step above G# is the note A. As a result, this key is labeled A major.

The circle of fifths also shows which keys are closely related. For example, C and G are closely related. It's common to modulate or change keys back and forth between closely related keys within a piece of music.

Diatonic Chords in G major

From the circle of fifths, it can be deduced that the G major scale is spelled G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G.

Remember that the pattern of diatonic chords is the same for every major key. The diatonic triads for the key of G major are listed below.

I - G
ii - Am
iii - Bm
IV - C
V - D
vi - Em
vii - F#o

Note: At 06:15 Randall says he is playing F#o, but he is actually playing an F#maj7 chord.

Common Chord Substitution

When substituting the bVII chord for the viio chord in this key, F major is played instead of F#o.

Play Along

Randall plays through some of the progressions from the previous scene in the key of G major. Play along with him and switch to the appropriate chord when he calls it out. This will give you more experience working with the Nashville number system.

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