The Crux of Guitar Theory #
- The Three Core Elements: The "Crux" of self-contained guitar consists of the Fretboard, the Major Scale, and Triads.
- Goal: To move from simply playing chord shapes to understanding the fundamental building blocks of music.
- Pedagogy: The course emphasizes "Paperwork" (writing notes to imprint them mentally) and "Fingerwork" (physical exercises to build muscle memory).
Chapter 1: The Fretboard #
- The 12 Chromatic Notes: Consists of seven natural notes (A–G) and five accidentals (sharps/flats). Chromatic notes repeat every 12 frets.
- Steps: A "half step" is a distance of one fret; a "whole step" is two frets.
- The 54 Determinator: A method for finding unisons (the same pitch). Move back five frets and down one string (except for the G to B string transition, which is four frets).
- Octave Shapes: Specific finger patterns used to locate the same note in higher or lower registers across different strings.
Chapter 2: The Major Scale #
- The Formula: The major scale is a seven-note diatonic scale built using the sequence: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H).
- Note Naming: Scales must follow alphabetical order. For example, in the key of G, the seventh note is F# (not Gb) to avoid skipping the letter F or repeating G.
- Intervals: Defined as the distance between the root and another note (e.g., Major 2nd, Perfect 4th, Major 7th). Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and octaves are labeled "Perfect" due to their stability.
- Fretboard Patterns: The scale is broken into seven interchangeable patterns that span 3–5 frets. Each pattern is named after the scale tone it begins with.
- Circle of Fourths/Fifths: Keys are organized by adding sharps (moving by fifths) or flats (moving by fourths).
Chapter 3: Triads #
- Formulas: Triads are three-note chords built from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of a scale.
- Major: Root, 3, 5
- Minor: Root, b3, 5
- Diminished: Root, b3, b5
- Augmented: Root, 3, #5
- Inversions: Changing which note of the triad is in the bass (Root Position, 1st Inversion, 2nd Inversion).
- Zone System: Dividing the fretboard into four string groups (zones) to practice triad shapes systematically.
- Bar Chords: Movable chord voicings based on the open E, A, and D shapes. While containing more than three strings, they still function as triads.
Harmonic Framework & Application #
- The Harmonized Major Scale: Building a triad on each note of the major scale creates a specific sequence of chord qualities: I (Major), ii (Minor), iii (Minor), IV (Major), V (Major), vi (Minor), vii° (Diminished).
- Chord Progressions: Series of chords taken from the harmonized scale (e.g., the 1-4-5 in blues or 1-6-2-5 in jazz/doo-wop).
Practice Philosophy & Time Management #
- Consistency: Short daily sessions (15–60 minutes) are more effective than sporadic long ones.
- Practical Tips:
- Use a metronome and a timer.
- "Eat your vegetables first" by practicing difficult exercises before fun ones.
- Practice mindfully (focused) but also utilize "Television practice" for mindless muscle memory building.
- Physical Awareness: Focus on breathing in time with the music and keeping the body relaxed to prevent tension.
Summary #
This course provides a comprehensive roadmap for beginners to master guitar theory by focusing on the fretboard, the major scale, and triads. It mapping out the 12 chromatic notes and intervals before diving into the mathematical formula of the major scale and its seven fretboard patterns. The transition to harmony is handled through the study of four triad types, their inversions, and how they harmonize the major scale to create common chord progressions. The instructor emphasizes a balanced practice regimen that combines written "paperwork" with rhythmic "fingerwork," advocating for a mix of disciplined metronome study and creative, unstructured play.
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