Basic Music Theory in a Nutshell
New players may want to read this! I wish I had this when I started - I am still learning, so if a more experienced player finds an error, please point it out!
Music theory is a way of describing the processes that make music work.
When you are a new player, you will hear ‘play in the key of E’ or ‘Use the I, IV, and V chord’.
The basis of music revolves around scales. The Major scales being the primary scales, and other scales being derived from it (such as the Blues scale)
An example of a Major Scale is the very common ‘C’ scale:
C(I) D(II) E(III) F(IV) G(V) A(VI) B(VII) C(VIII)
A Major scale typically consists of 8 notes. Each note position is denoted by a roman numeral (in parenthis) .
From the major scales is derived Chords. Chords are the basis of major genres such as Blues and Jazz.
A Chord is a grouping of notes that will be used in a measure of music.
Arguably the simplest of chords is called a ‘Triad’. Chords vary in many different types (research Chord Intervals, very handy to know this term if you want to play other types of music besides Blues).
A Triad consists of a ‘Root’, a ‘Third’, and a ‘Fifth’.
Typically in the blues, a structure is followed called the 12 bar blues, which outlines which chords go where:
Example Blues chord structure
I - I - I - I
IV-IV-I - I
V -IV-I - I
Notice that roman numerals are used. Each numeral corrosponds with the root note for that section of measure.
So a C scale blues would have the root notes of:
C-C-C-C
F-F- C-C
G-F-C-C
To build a triad chord, you need the root, third, and the fifth. A C triad chord would look like;
C … Root
E … Third
G… Fifth
Another example would be the IV chord, which using a C scale would be F:
F… Root
A… Third
C…Fifth
Basically count every other note from the root note until the chord is built.
Chord notes can be played all together (Called a Chord), or individually. When you learn the notes pf a chord, and play all of them together but as individual notes it is called an arpeggio.
For blues in particular (Maybe Jazz to, I am still learning), the root note must have a prominent placement in the measure, either at the beginning, end, or beginning and end. The root note is what makes a chord what it is.
When improvising, think of your chordal notes as your paint palette. While you can use all the colors, you dont have too. As long as your root note is present, it is enough.
It important to learn your insturment. Being familiar with which notes go where will help you immensely.
Have fun, and I hope this very basic primer helps!