Music Theory Basics Walkthrough

Introduction

• Presenter: Andrew Huang
• Context: Complete walkthrough of music theory basics in 30 minutes.
• Purpose: Equip students with foundational knowledge before diving into music production, songwriting, and mixing.
• Content Available: Bonus video for online class at learnmonthly.com

What is Music Theory?

• Definition: The language behind music, providing tools to understand, interpret, and communicate.
• Analogy: Similar to mastering a spoken language, music theory can become second nature with practice.
• Goal: To make music theory intuitive and automatic, enhancing creativity and efficiency in music creation.

Core Concepts

Notes

• Definition: Sound created by vibrations; perceived pitch corresponds to vibration frequency.
• 12 Notes in Western Music: Most popular music utilizes 12 notes based on the layout of a piano keyboard.
  • White Notes: Named A to G.
  • Black Keys: Named sharp (higher) or flat (lower) relative to white keys.
• Octave: Distance of 12 notes (e.g., A to A).
• Semitone: Increment between individual notes; Whole tone is two semitones.

Keys and Scales

• Definition of Key: A guide for which notes sound good together in a piece of music.
• Common Keys: Major and minor, typically using 7 notes.
• Example: C Major Scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) with the formula: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half.
• Scale Degrees: Numbering notes in the scale (C=1, D=2, etc.).

Chords

• Definition: Multiple notes played simultaneously; sets the emotional tone of the music.
• Common Chord Types: Major (happy) and minor (sad).
• Triads: Chords made of root, third, and fifth.
  • Major Triad: 4 semitones (root to third) + 3 semitones (third to fifth).
  • Minor Triad: 3 semitones (root to third) + 4 semitones (third to fifth).
• Practice: Create triads from different major scales and identify their qualities.

Chord Progressions

• Scale Degrees in Chords: Major chords on degrees 1, 4, 5; minor on 2, 3, 6.
• Roman Numerals Notation: Capital letters for major chords, lowercase for minor (e.g., I-IV-V).
• Common Progression Example: 1-5-6-4 in C Major (C-G-Am-F) and its application in other keys.

Inversions

• Definition: Changing the lowest note in a chord to create smoother transitions and maintain closeness of notes.
• Practice: Experiment with inversions in chord progressions.

Melodies

• Definition: Sequences of notes typically sung or played over chords.
• Tension vs. Stability: Balancing notes within chords and outside to create interest in melodies.
• Pentatonic Scale: A simplified scale (removing 4th and 7th degrees) that often sounds good when creating melodies.

Rhythm

• Basic Structure: Music divided into bars/measures, counting typically in 4 beats.
  • Whole Note: 1 bar.
  • Half Note: 2 beats.
  • Quarter Note: 1 beat.
• Subdivision: Eighth notes (1 and), sixteenth notes (1 e and a) for precise timing.
• Practice: Notate rhythms from songs using a simple grid system.

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Practice exercises and refer back to the video as needed.
• Further Learning: More comprehensive courses available at learnmonthly.com.
• Closing Note: Music theory opens up creative possibilities in music-making.