Guitar Theory Explained
~ Music Theory Part II
This is the second part of the guitar theory lesson. If you have not study the first part of music theory, please click here. Only when you are thoroughly familiar with Music Theory Part I, then come back here to continue with this guitar music lesson.
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Guitar Theory : Knowing Time Signatures: 4/4 or C, 2/4 and 3/4 A large C or 4/4 or 3/4 is always seen at the beginning of music. These Time Signatures show the values and beats in each bar. The top figure is about the number of beats in a bar while the bottom figure is about the type of beat used. (refer to e.g. 15 below)
Example 15
In the diagram, the top figure '4' indicates 4 beats in a bar while the bottom figure '4' indicates the type of beats used. For example, '4' stands for crotchet; that is 4 crotchets in a bar. 4/4 time, also written as a C, indicates four beats in a bar. In 2/4 time, there are two beats in a bar and in 3/4, three beats in a bar. Here are examples of music in 4/4 Time (refer e.g.16 below) and 2/4 Time (refer to e.g. 17 below).
Example 16
Example 17
Guitar Theory : Strong and Weak Beats In 4/4 time, the first beat is strong, the second beat is weaker, the third beat is stronger than the second beat and the fourth beat is weaker than the third beat. In 2/4 time, the first beat is strong and the second weak. In 3/4 time, the first is strong followed by two weak beats. (refer e.g.18 below) Example 18
The 4/4 Time Signature is very common in popular music, while 3/4 is used in Waltzs and 2/4 in Broadway and fast lively music.< Guitar Theory : Pick Up Beats Notes may be placed in the beginning of the music (e.g.19). These are called pickup beats, and are played before the main melody. Example 19
Guitar Theory : Accidentals This sign (#) is called a sharp. When it's placed before a note, it raises the note a half-step. This sign (b) is called a flat. It lowers a note a half-step. A natural cancels the sharp or flat and restores the note that was affected. (e.g.20 below) Example 20
Sharps and flats are called accidentals and they affect the measure it is placed in.Guitar Theory : Enharmonic Names F# and Gb have the same sound but different enharmonic spellings. If we move up the fretboard, we use sharps. We flatten the note when we move down. (e.g.21 also refer e.g.1b for note positions) Example 21
Example 1b
F F# G G# A A# chromatically going up the neck and Bb A Ab G Gb F moving down the neck.Guitar Theory : Key Signatures Placed at the beginning of the music to indicate the Key the piece is to be played in. Key Signatures may be changed during the music.(e.g.22) Example 22
Intervals are the distance between two notes. (e.g.23) Example 23
Guitar Theory : Building Major ScalesC-D-E-F-G-A-B-C: From the Key-note C, these notes have seven consecutive notes separated by whole and half notes. (e.g.24) Example 24
C (1Tone) - D (1Tone) - E (1/2Tone) - F (1Tone) - G (1Tone) - A (1Tone) - B (1/2Tone) - CThe first four notes: the distance from C-D is a Tone, D-E a tone and E-F a half tone. The next four notes are: F-G is a tone, G-A a tone, A-B a tone, and B-C a half tone. Using this formula of two whole tones and a half tone, the first four notes can be constructed to form the first part of the scale Example C-D-E-F. For the next four notes, we use three whole tone and a half-note. Example F-G-A-B-C. This method is used to derive at the twelve major scales (refer to e.g. 25a and e.g. 25b below). Example 25a
Example 25b
Observe that in the key of CbMajor, all the notes are in its key signature. It is much easier to play a melody in the key of B Major than Cb. Now that you have finish this part of the guitar theory lesson, you can proceed to Music Theory Part III.
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Guitar Theory Explained
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