MUSIC THEORY

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THE LESSONS AND FILES?


The lessons are designed so that you can study the parts in any order.


The lessons work in a progressive manner; the order of homework in the lessons follows the priorities and progression in learning.


To access the assignments, you must refer to the file mentioned in the lessons to work on the topics covered.



The Intermediate Level This course is designed to help you progress towards guitar accompaniment and an introduction to soloing. It also allows you to consolidate your music theory, including knowledge of intervals, the formation of basic and dissonant chords, and enables you to play the main scales, acquire proficiency in right- and left-hand techniques. Finally, it allows you to work on a repertoire of medium difficulty.


Advanced LevelThis level continues the study of Brazilian techniques and rhythms with an improvement in accompaniment.

The repertoire of music offered ranges from intermediate to difficult level. You will also explore improvisation and many new inversion chord shapes. 

THE INTERVALS

The names of the intervals:

  • in unison.
  • the second one.
  • the third.
  • the fourth.
  • the fifth.
  • the sixth.
  • the seventh.
  • the octave.


CYCLE OF QUINTES


BEFORE WE BEGIN, WHAT IS A QUINTE?


A fifth is an interval of notes. It is therefore the difference between two notes and is usually given in whole tones or semitones.

The fifth is the 4th note after the starting note (which is called the fundamental). Do D E F ground.

The fifth can have 3 types:

  • Just right (3.5 tones or 7 semitones apart from the fundamental)
  • Diminished (3 tones or 6 semitones below the fundamental)
  • Augmented (4 tones or 8 semitones higher than the fundamental)


WHAT IS THE CYCLE OF QUINTES?


In music theory, thecycle of fifths(or circle of fourths) shows the relationship between the twelve degrees of the chromatic scale, their corresponding alterations, and the associated major or minor key.

The cycle of fifths is the sequence of CORRECT fifths, we eventually return to the starting note.
As a reminder, the perfect fifth is 7 semitones higher than the fundamental (or 5 semitones lower if we want to see it going down).


So if we start from Do:

So if you look closely, you'll see that the first fundamental is also the last fifth, so we have a circle that closes. That's why we're going to talk about a cycle.

It is also interesting to note that if you read the table from bottom to top you read the order of the perfect fourths and those of you more familiar with the theory will know that the perfect fifth and the perfect fourth are complementary intervals (in other words if you look for a note with an interval going up, you will find that same note going down with its complementary interval).
This leads us to see that depending on the direction of reading, we have the cycle of fifths and in the other direction, the cycle of fourths.


If we stick to the theory and start from F, reading downwards, we get the order of sharps in the major scale (and in the key signature of scores):


Fa, Do, Sol, Re, La, Mi and B


And if we start from B and go back up, we have the order of the flats in the major scale (and in the key signature of the scores):


B, E, A, D, G, C, F


Most of the time, we see a representation of the circle of fifths in the form of a circle (which is quite logical in fact):


What are cycles of quintets used for?

  • finding the key of a piece
  • transpose a piece from one key to another
  • compose your pieces correctly
  • find the notes to play in a key
  • understanding keys, chords, scales, modes


Notes : In a clockwise direction (clockwise) one can read the order of the fifths and in a counter-clockwise direction (opposite to the direction of the hands of a clock) one can read the order of the fourths.


It's important to find the fifth of a note quickly. You can also use your guitar, using the guitar neck to visually see the positions of the intervals.


I encourage you to try out everything we've just seen on your instrument; this is how this knowledge will make more sense and enrich your playing and your understanding of music.


C = Tonal center or tonic, 5 = fifth

 T = Tonique, 4 = quarta

Cycle of perfect fifths: order of tones

Cycle of fifths with major and minor keys

3- The ranges

4- Major chords

5- Minor chords

6- Seventh chords

Chord sequences

New paragraph

New paragraph

New paragraph

New paragraph

New paragraph

New paragraph

This symbol is a natural sign. It cancels the effect of the sharp or flat, thus producing a natural, original note again.

Sharps and flats alter a note for the entire duration of the measure in which they occur, unless a natural sign forces that note to become natural again.

All sharp notes have their flat equivalents, and vice versa. For example, A* and B" are played on the same fret. Two notes that have different names but are the same pitch are said to be "enharmonic equivalents".

Rule #1
Work at least three times a week.


Rule #2
Follow the assignments outlined in the course program and navigate carefully through the tabs where the exercises are located.


Rule #3
Print the exercises so you can annotate them with a pencil to ensure accurate and efficient work. Also print the music files in PDF format.

Rule #4
When doing homework, repeat more of certain fragments or parts of the exercises and pieces that seem more difficult to you.

Rule #5
Tune your guitar every day before you start playing. There are free online applications like Guitar tunaThey allow you to tune and find a metronome.

Rule #6
Before playing the sheet music directly on the guitar, I highly recommend reading it aloud while tapping your foot to the beat. Making the effort to sing the notes as you play them will be very beneficial! Also, look at the suggested fingering from the start; it's there to help you!

Rule #7
The way you hold the guitar is very important for ease of playing. You'll be able to reach the notes better with your left hand and get a better sound with your right hand.
Two positions are recommended:
1- Classic position - For young people and adults with good joint mobility, the right-handed person should place their left foot on the footrest.
2- Popular Position – To better hold the guitar and play more effectively at the beginning, I recommend using a strap. A luthier can install suitable hooks on your guitar to attach the strap.

Rule #8
Listening to guitar recordings is very important. Professional musicians and teachers emphasize the importance of listening to multiple guitar recordings in different styles; it's a good part of the learning process. Search for them yourself online or elsewhere, according to your tastes—it will be even more enriching.
A radio with links to videos and CDs on YouTube is installed on each level's page to give you examples.

Rule #9
This course allows you to have fun and work while having fun, it's the best way to learn guitar.
It is also important to demonstrate discipline and organization in relation to the work required.
Playing the guitar allows you to relax, to realize a project or a dream, to do a cultural activity and to cultivate yourself by discovering new horizons.
It's a rare opportunity to do several things at once; playing, tapping your foot to the beat, reading the score creates neural connections; playing with recordings or other musicians develops adaptability.

Rule #10
Develop musical ear and sense of rhythm, learn as a student to become a good musician.