[Rainer.]

Though I'm not sure how much training can be pumped into making a song, I do totally agree that it takes practice. You gotta flex that muscle a lot before you write anything that even you consider decent. I've written an exponentially large number of horrible songs compared to the number of songs I've written that I find decent.

[AudioACanuck]

Ok but what if you know the key is F# major, what kinda chords could you use to play it as rhythm guitar?

[Rainer.]

F# G#m A#m B C# D#m E#dim
And I do really mean E#dim, not F.

[Spaceman]

Ok, I went out and bought a basic music theory book.

[AudioACanuck]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

F# G#m A#m B C# D#m E#dim
And I do really mean E#dim, not F.

Is there a way to figure that kinda stuff out, or is it memorization? And what about in the C#major scale?

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by AudioACanuck

Is there a way to figure that kinda stuff out?

Yes, learn music theory.

[Rainer.]

Ugh... C#... Try Db.

Db Ebm Fm Gb Ab Bbm Cdim

But if you really like C#...

C# D#m E#m F# G# A#m B#dim

And it's really only taking me a metter of seconds for me to hash these out, through music theory, definitely.

[AudioACanuck]

I just want to say that i find it really annoying that a lot of people who know theory always seem a little uppity, like they are better than you when it comes to guitar. They may be, but that doesn't mean it's ok to be disgusted when someone is asking questions, if you are gonna be like that, wait till someone else who wil gladly help comes along. I mean, I was told once that I didn't really know how to play guitar just because I don't know theory. I jsut find it annoying and rude the way some people who know theory act superior.(not everyone but there are some that do)

[Jenacen]

Well yes, music theory REALLY helps when playing guitar, though you're right, no one should look down on you, but I hope you don't feel like anyone here is doing that to you. Though, if anyone says you can't play because you don't know theory, I remember hearing about one really popular group that couldn't read a note of music. Does "The Beatles" ring a bell?

Music's an art form, and music theory is a set of rules, and the rules differ from country to country. Go to some other countries and you'll hear notes you've never heard in America. To say you can't play an instrument because you don't know music theory is like saying you can't draw because you've never taken a class on it. But the rules certainly do help.

If you want a start on music theory, check out the "how does one craft a good solo" thread. Lotsa basic information there.

Here's one good website:

www.musictheory.net

You can find patterns in music theory, some things you have to memorize, but IMO it's not too hard to grasp. I learned by reading a book and studying it hard. Barnes and Noble was brought up in discussion here. I'd definitely recommend checking them out. Check out "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory." The information in it was just excellent to me.

I've heard that Fretboard Logic SE was good, though you'd need to hear from an expert on that one since I've never read it.

Right now, I recommend checking out that thread and that website.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by AudioACanuck

I just want to say that i find it really annoying that a lot of people who know theory always seem a little uppity, like they are better than you when it comes to guitar. They may be, but that doesn't mean it's ok to be disgusted when someone is asking questions, if you are gonna be like that, wait till someone else who wil gladly help comes along. I mean, I was told once that I didn't really know how to play guitar just because I don't know theory. I jsut find it annoying and rude the way some people who know theory act superior.(not everyone but there are some that do)

Sorry, my emotions don't come out right in print. Didn't mean to sound condescending. I just think that C# was a gross key. Thus the "ugh", directed at the C# and not at you. Sort of like if someone asked you to play a 20 minute tune in the key of F on a 12 string with no capo. "Gross! F!"

I like answering questions like this, really I do.

[Demon_Hunter]

AAC,

Its not hard to determine the right notes in a key when you know the theory behind the construction of Major and minor keys.

And also, its not even hard to learn that particular aspect of theory.

Major keys are made up of (M=major, m=minor, Dim=Diminished):

M,m,m,M,M,m,Dim.

And a minor progression is made up of the 6th (the last minor before the Diminished chord) tone and count up from there.

6,7,1(8),2,3,4,5
1,2,3(Major 1),4,5,6,7.

Im sorry if thats not really clear, but thats the best way that I can explain it.

[AudioACanuck]

Hey sorry rainer if I misunderstood what you meant.

And demon_hunter, I know how to construct a major scale, like whole step whole step half step type thing. But I'm not exactly sure that's what you're saying. I'm gonna check out some of the links you guys posted.

[Demon_Hunter]

Originally Posted by AudioACanuck

Hey sorry rainer if I misunderstood what you meant.

And demon_hunter, I know how to construct a major scale, like whole step whole step half step type thing. But I'm not exactly sure that's what you're saying. I'm gonna check out some of the links you guys posted.

Actually, Im talking about the chords, not the indvidual notes.


Ill try to find the title, but there is a book at B&N that covers Music theory, and even includes some ear training exercises and CDs.


*edit*

This is the book I was talking about.

[+SEAL+]

If you want some quick scales...here's a classic: the A Minor Pentatonic (rock, blues, heavy metal)
E--------------------5-8
B----------------5-8----
G------------5-7--------
D--------5-7------------
A----5-7----------------
E-5-8-------------------
And then you can just move that one up and down the fretboard. If you want to get chords, just see what notes you're playing.

Here's what the A Major scale looks like. Again, you can move it up or down the fretboard as you see fit.
E--------------------------4-5
B----------------------5-7----
G----------------4-6-7--------
D----------4-6-7--------------
A----4-5-7--------------------
E-5-7-------------------------

Just take your chord progressions from there. And if you're playing lead guitar, use these for solos. Just go up and down, down and up, maybe only halfway down, halfway up...bends, pulloffs, hammer-ons...ah, I'm in a scale ecstasy...