No, they’re not a new cheezy pop group.

There’re the most widely used scales. “Penta” means five and “Tonic” means note. Thus a five note scale, the most commonly used of all pentatonics scales are the major and minor pentatonics.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf exercises before you get started.

Major Pentatonic Scales

This scale is rather simple, just start with the C major scale and remove the fourth and seventh degree and there you have the C major pentatonic scale. Check out the image below and see the comparison between the two.

C Major and Pentatonic

Go ahead and fill out this basic exercise and create some major pentatonics.

Minor Pentatonic Scales

If you recall the natural minor scale back in this lesson. This minor pentatonic scale is very similar to the natural minor scale, but easier. Just omit the 2 and the b6 from the natural minor scale and there you have it.

Here’s a simple exercise for you to work on. Create some minor pentatonics. You can start with the natural minor scale and just omit the 2 and the b6, then write it in.

The Minor Blues Scale

I believe I use this scale way to much, but it’s the coolest, funkiest, and most soulful scale out there in today’s music.

This scale is almost exactly like the minor pentatonic scale, the only difference is one note. Just add the b5 to the minor pentatonic scale and there you got the baddest scale on the planet.

Here’s a comparison.

A Natural Minor and A Minor Blues Scales

Here’s a great exercise to get your brain pumping. First create the minor pentatonic scale and just add the b5.

Download the pdf exercises.

It’s important to note that these scales must be memorized and used. I guarantee you these scales are used in your favorite pop tunes. Use them and abuse them.

All the greats use and dissect this scale and create their own melodies and riffs.

Phewww!!!

This has been a long eight part series on music theory fundamentals. It was fun creating it and I hope it was helpful to you as well. I tried to focus on what really matters most in today’s music scene.

If you happened to miss any of the other parts. Just click on which lesson you missed below.

• Major Scales and Sharps
• Accidentals and Flats
• Note Values
• Intervals
• Triads
• Time Signatures and Ties
• Minor Scales

Please feel free to leave any questions below and I’ll see you next time.

Bye for now.

When a major scale is played is tends to sound “happy” or “uplifting” but when a minor scale is played it tends to sound “sad” or “depressing” depending on the rhythm that is being performed.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf exercises before you get started.

Natural Minor Scale

Many forms of music use the minor scale, like hip-hop, funk, soul, or even jazz. As said before there are many forms of the minor scales, but the major difference between a major and minor scales is the third degree or note.

The major third degree will suddenly be lowered a half step which would result in the minor third.

C Natural Minor Scale

This scale is made up of a sequence of whole steps and half steps. Look below and see how the scale in constructed.

When you construct the scale it would be the same as any other scale. Starting with the root note and you just build from there, using the minor scale formula. Don’t forget the sharps and flats if needed.

“A” natural minor scale. Using both treble and bass clef.

D natural minor scale.

Now it’s your turn to build the rest of the scales. Take your time.

Relative Minors Keys

Natural minor chords or scales all pertain to a major relative key. For example the A natural minor scale notes are exactly like the C major scale notes. The A minor scale would be relative to the C major scale. Think of it like the members of your family.

To find the relative key to the minor scale all you have to do is count a minor third or three half steps to the relative. The A natural minor key is exactly three half steps distance from the C major key.

Here’s a bit of home work for you. I have all minor keys, now it’s your turn to find it’s relative by just counting up a minor third or three half steps.

Download the pdf exercises.

That’s it for now, go over these exercises and make sure to review them.

Please leave a comment or question below.

Talk to you later.

Your douche boss probably writes you up and if you keep it up you’ll probably get canned.

I would fire you if you keep arriving late to work, it makes sense.

If you keep arriving late, production slows down for my pink widgets and it could cost the company some revenue. The most important aspect in our entire lives is TIME!

Time with your family, friends, and loved ones.

Time in music is at the top of the heap. If you’re not on time then it’s gonna throw everything and everyone off.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

Time Signatures

The time or meter of any musical piece is indicated at the beginning of a piece of sheet music. It’s Indicated by a symbol called the Time Signature.

Looking below at the time signature, the top number indicates how many beats are in each measure. The bottom number indicates the note value that is given one beat. In the case below, there are four beats in each measure and the four below would indicate a quarter note is given one beat.

Think of it like fractions, 1/4 = one quarter, but 4/4= four quarters or four quarter notes in each measure. If it were 1/4, then that would indicate one quarter note in each measure. Typically 4/4 time signature is the most common form of time in music.

Since 4/4 time signature is so common in many forms of music such as: pop, rock, blues, r&b and jazz, it is often referred to as common time.

Below are the most common time signatures. 

Below is a common time signature, which just indicates a 4/4 time. It’s important to know both symbols. This time signature looks just like a “C.”

Another symbol is cut time. Cut time is basically 4/4 time cut in half indicated by a “C “with a vertical line cutting right through it.

Here are some exercises you can practice with by adding bar lines to separate measures. Be careful with the time signatures.

Ties

Ties are two notes of the same pitch that are to connected to extend there time. It’s as if both notes unite in holy matrimony and become one.

Ties can be shown across a bar line, or even across in the middle of a measure. Look below for an example.

Almost forgot about the Slur. No, not slurpees…

Slurs may look like a Tie but they’re not. The purpose of a slur is to go from one note to the next note smoothly, without hesitation. Like a banana smoothie. I guess they should’ve called it a smoothie not a slur.

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

That’ll be it for now, but remember the importance of Time. Don’t forget to leave any suggestions, questions or comments below. Also sign up for my newsletter if you haven’t already.

Cheers.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

Triads

A chord is produced by simultaneously playing two notes. Most chords are generally made up of a minimum of three notes or more.

Triads are made of only three notes. The first note is the root, the second note would be the major third and the third note would be a perfect fifth. Most triads are made up of these basic rules but with a few alterations depending on the particular triad.

There is also the minor triad, the difference between the major and minor triad is one note. The second note of the major triad is a major third distance away from its root note. The minor triad would be a minor third away from its root note. The root and fifth of both triads remain the same

Though both triads are just one note difference, the sound are complete opposites. The major triad tends to sound happy and uplifting while the minor triad will tend to sound sad, moody or even have a thrilling tone.

Augmented and Diminished Triad

The augmented triad contains the root, third and augmented fifth. The diminished triad is comprised of the root, minor third and diminished fifth. These triads tend to sound very dissonant and not very pleasing to the ear. Think of nails scratching on the chalkboard. Yikes!

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

Now we’re making some music. Sort of…

Triads are just the beginning my friend there’s a lot more.

“The more learn the more you earn.” Warren Buffet

Don’t hesitate to leave any questions in the comments below. We all have questions and don’t be shy.

Long live and prosper.

There is a bit or traveling in music, but not what you might think. This topic I didn’t see much use in the real musical world but it was rather interesting. Also, if an annoying dude approaches you at a backyard barbecue and starts chewing your ear off, just start talking about intervals and I promise he’ll leave you alone.

Let’s move forward.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

Intervals

Intervals are the distance between one note and the next note. I’ll give you an example.

The distance between C and D is called a major 2nd. The distance between C and F is a major fourth. Pretend the distance between your house and Chipotle Mexican Grill is 5 miles or kilometers depending on where you live in the world. Intervals are distance.

Instead of using miles or kilometers in music theory we have our own terms for distance. We use:

• Major
• Minor
• Perfect
• Augmented
• Diminished

Here are some basic interevals, but making it simple starting in the key of C.

Now here are some rules for adding the minor, augmented and diminished intervals. The upper note sometimes won’t belong to the scale or note at the bottom.

1. If the upper note is a half step lower from the major interval, call it minor.
2. If the upper note is a half step lower from the minor interval, call it diminished.
3. If the upper note is a half step higher from the perfect or major interval, call it augmented.

Here are all the intervals.

Harmonic Intervals

When two intervals are simultaneously played, they are referred to as a harmonic interval. A melodic interval would be when both notes are played one at a time.

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

That’s it for now, and don’t have too many brain farts, I know this stuff is pretty monotonous but hang in there. Becoming a “Learner” is one of the attributes of Thinking Musician.

Feel free to post some questions in the comment section below.

Stay tuned.

If you happen to miss the last two parts click here and here.

Okay let’s get started.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf sheet right here.

Measures

Below is a picture of the music staff and you can see it divided by bar lines. The space in between the bar lines and are called measures. Here we have four measures.

Pretty simple right? Let’s move on.

Quarter Notes and Quarter Rests

Below is an image of a quarter note and rest shaped with a black oval and with a line attached called a stem. A quarter rest looks like some weird scribble, I believe whoever invented the quarter rest didn’t give it much thought. Lol.

A quarter note and rest equals one beat or count.

A Rest would indicate silence, which would mean no sound for that period of time.

Observe below many quarter notes and rests filled within the four measures.

audio

Half Notes and Half Rests

Below is an image of a half note and rest shaped with a black oval and with a line attached called a stem. A half rest looks like a small black rectangular that is just sitting on top of a line.

A half note and rest equals two beats or counts.

Observe below many half notes and rests filled within the four measures.

audio

Whole Notes and Rests

Below is an image of a whole note and rest shaped like an oval. A whole rest looks like a small black rectangular that is just hanging on to the line above.

A whole note and rest equals four beats or counts.

Check out below many whole notes and rests filled within the four measures.

audio

Eighth Notes and Rests

Here we got an image of an eighth note consisting of a black oval with a stem and a little flag at the end of it. An eighth rest looks kind of looks like a cherry with a stem.

An eighth note and rest equals one half beat or count.

Below many eighth notes and rests filled within the two measures.

audio

Sixteenth Notes and Rests

Below is an image of a sixteenth note shaped with an oval and a stem with two flags. A sixteenth rest looks like two cherries with a stem.

A sixteenth note and rest equals 1/4 beat or count.

Here we have many sixteenth notes and rests filled within one measure.

audio

Dotted Notes and Rests

A dot placed after a note increases it’s value by half.

audio

Triplets

A note is sliced into three parts instead of two. A triplet would be the same length in time as if it were sliced into two notes of the same value.

Rests are treated the same as if they were notes, but silent notes. Let’s keep that in mind.

audio

Download the pdf worksheet right here.

Wow, my brain hurts just writing all this stuff, but I hope you’re getting brain neurons working for you.

If you have any questions please let me know in the comment section below.

Thanks

No, notes don’t get into accidents, we’ll touch on that soon.

Flats?? You’re also probably wondering.

No, notes don’t get flat like your tires do. You know, come to think about it. Notes do actually get flat.

Let’s talk about that.

Last time we focused on the major scales and sharp key signatures. Now let’s focus our attention to accidentals and flat key signatures.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest to start with the very first lesson. Things could get confusing, you need to click here first to understand this lesson.

Download the pdf sheet right here.

Flats

Flat Key Signatures

Accidentals

Okay, what are accidentals.

Accidentals can be two things: Accidentals are can be sharp or flat notes. Or, notes that don’t belong to a particular key. For example the Key of “C” has the notes: CDEFGAB.

If you were play to for example an F# note, this note obviously doesn’t belong to the Key of “C”. Therefore it is an accidental.

Enharmonic

An accidental ( flat or sharp note ) has two names.

A, Bb note is also an A#, play these two notes on your instrument and you’ll realize that they are the same note.

Download the pdf sheet right here.

I hope you’re with me on this music theory journey. It’s not easy at first, but just hang in there and you’ll be Mozart in no time.

If you have any questions feel to post them on the comments sections below.

Peace

But…it’s mostly love.

Because it opens up the big mystery of music that most people don’t know. Many students of mine always ask questions like:

Why does that chord work with that scale?

How do you know which notes or chords fit together?

How do you know to choose that chord or notes for that song?

These questions come up all the time, but all I can say is, “At the end of the day if it sounds good than use it.”

Sometimes most musicians don’t know where to start or why this or that note or chord works. That’s why I’m here to answer all your questions.

But first… Let’s learn about music theory. Starting with the major scales and sharp keys.

note: If this is your first time reading this lesson, then I would suggest starting with basic note reading fundamentals. Things could get confusing, you need to start here and here first to understand this lesson. 

Download pdf worksheet here.

Majors Scales

Major scales are made of a series of whole steps and half steps. What is a whole or half step? If I were to play the C note on the piano, then the D note right next to it, that would be considered up a whole step. If I were to play the same C note, then move up to the C# note, that would be considered a half step.

Playing the same C note and moving below or to the left on the piano to the Bb note would be considered a whole step. Moving to the B note from the C note would be considered a half step.

Using a guitar moving to the right or left one fret from the C note would be a half step, but skipping a fret would be a whole step.

Here is the C major scale made up of a series of half steps and whole steps.

Sharp Key Signatures

A sharp would indicate to play the current natural note one half step higher. Sometimes writing all the sharps could be a waste of ink so it would be rather useful to use key signatures. 

If I just used the key signatures to indicate which sharps belong to which key, then I wouldn’t need to write in all the sharps. I just need to memorize my key signatures.

How do I know the key of each key signature?

I’m glad you asked.

Below is the order key signatures starting with the first sharp. The trick is to locate the very last sharp in order of the key signature and raise it a half step and there you have the key.

One sharp in the key signature would be an F# (look below). A half step up from an F# would be a G. So it would be in the key of G.

Two sharps (look below). The last sharp in sequence would be the C#. Raise that up a half step and you would end up on the D. So it would be in the key of D.

Now it’s your turn.

Download pdf worksheet here.

This is the first lesson among many. Please if you have any questions feel free to post them in the comments section below.

Hope to hear from you.

Every single time when I work on a tutorial I always assume it’s going to take a certain amount of time. And as you know nothing ever goes as planned as you think. This one took too long.

Pulling my hair a number of times because of software glitches I finally got them done.

The secrets to playing in any key.

You can go ahead right click and save the images and saved them for yourself.

I will put this whole tutorial together and a lot more goodies into one ebook. Keep your eyes opened for it.

Missed the other parts? Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5,  part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9.

Whewww! Thanks for your patience

Roland

This is pretty much the last of the Secrets to playing in any key tutorial. I will add the chord progressions and the major scale chart for you very soon. Don’t go nowhere!

Well that was it amigo.

This process is not a walk in the park it takes a high level of desire, dedication and discipline just like I described in a previous check it out here.

Here all the previous posts: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8.

I just wanted to mention that I have been writing this long tutorial to create a full fledged book on transposition. So, stay tuned and I will add more tips and extras to wet your palette.

Roland