Ultra basic intro to music theory using Ableton Live. Also, could do with some expert assistance.

[kennyda]

I've done 4 tutorials on Music theory, based in Ableton Live. One is done using Operator. So anyone wanting some basic stuff and using Live, have a look at my site. They start with a simple trick to work out any major or natural minor scale. I will post this below.

I have a bit to finish in the second one, on progressions, and some more to finish the last one. If anyone who is good on theory wants to check them, add some missing bits, make suggestions or whatever I would be grateful for any input.

Music theory 1 - basics

Easy ways to learn scales and chords, and a trick to make it impossible to enter the wrong notes.


A minor (Am) scale and chord. Note that there are no sharps (black notes) between B and C, and between E and F.

This tutorial is for beginners who want to make music but don't know any theory, a quick way to get going. This is the first of 4 tutorials. Later I will explain why everything as it is, so you understand more, which means less need for parrot fashion memorising. You will be able to work things out for yourself from basic knowledge.

All the white notes form the scale A minor. This is our starting point for all the major and natural minor scales.

Note - in this tutorial 'minor scale' means the natural minor scale. Major scales tend to sound happy, and minor ones sound moody, but minor scales are frequently used in pop, rock and dance music.

A minor (Am) is the same notes as C major (C).

C major just emphasises the C note more. Each scale starts with a tonic (first note), A starts with A and C starts with C.


All major and minor scales are related like that, i.e. the relative major is three semitones up from the minor.

A semitone or half tone is just each horizontal line in the Note Editor or a key on your keyboard, a tone is two semitones.

Now, let's say you want to do a remix/tune in D major. How to remember what notes you can play?

Well the relative minor is going to be be 3 semitones down, i.e. B minor.

Here's the clever bit...


Draw notes on all the white note slots in a vertical column for where A minor is supposed to be. Now shift them up two semitones. Any scale can be transposed up or down. So by starting from B, you now know where every note should be for B minor, who's relative major is D major.

For the B minor scale go from B to B, and go from D to D for D major scale.

Now adjust your midi clip so these notes are just outside your loop. To do this, select all the notes and hit the left arrow cursor on your keypad. Now click the Fold button.



Now you have folded, any note you draw in is going to be right!

Obviously do more than one octave (12 semitones), and accentuate the D if using the D major scale rather than the B minor.


Note editor is folded with the Bm scale so now any note entered is part of that scale


D major scale, folded


D major, unfolded


.............................................................................
I have to go and watch telly now, the rest of the tut and the other 3 are on my site, and the pics are clickable there if you need that. I might post the rest later.

[kennyda]

If the blue is hard to read on a mobile let me know and I can change it. However it's best read on a computer as the images make more sense too.

[JumpingJackFlash]

If anyone who is good on theory wants to check them, add some missing bits, make suggestions or whatever I would be grateful for any input.

I've had a brief look, and would like to make the following comments:

A minor (Am) is A, C and E. It is the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes, simply called 1,3 and 5 or I, III and V.

Traditionally we use the Roman Numerals to refer to chords only, not individual notes. So this is confusing. The third of the chord is certainly not the same as chord III - Just omit the final part of your sentence.

Note that the chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes, called I, III and V in Roman numerals.

Same again.

D is the second scale degree, and the second scale degree is always a minor.

Firstly, scale degrees cannot be major or minor; you mean a diatonic chord constructed using that note as the root. (So "produces a minor chord" would be more appropriate).

Secondly, this is only true in major keys - you might want to make that clear.

I removed the Fs and Bs to make the bass line the pentatonic version, i.e. omitting the least important notes.

These are not the least important notes in C major, in fact, they are among the most important.

A seventh chord is the 3 note chord (triad) we have seen so far, pus a note a seventh above the root. A seventh is the 7th scale degree, the 7th note in the scale. In a major scale it is a semitone lower than the next tonic and is called the leading tone, because it wants to lead to the tonic. In a natural minor scale the 7th is a tone below the tonic and is called the subtonic. It doesn't lead into the tonic.

This is confusing; are you talking about dominant sevenths, major sevenths or what? - This either needs explaining in more detail or simply left out.

Also, you appear to be confusing the 7th note of a chord and the 7th note of the key (leading note). Only on the root are these the same. On a G chord for example, the 7th would be F, yet the leading note is still B (in C major).

And are you going to mention the common practise of raising the 7th degree in minor keys?

In a major key you will often go from VI➔I or VII➔I. I is the target and these are considered strong ways to approach it. 

Do you mean V-I rather than VI-I? - The latter is much rarer and isn't a particularly "good" progression.

a fourth is 5 semitones and a fifth is 7

Not always. You need to specify perfect fourth and perfect fifth.

The C3 frequency is approximately 262 Hz, actually 261.63 Hz.

You might want to mention that this is called "middle C".

ratio of 3/2

It would be clearer to use the standard 3:2 way of writing ratios.

Generally though, not bad. Was there a reason why you started with the minor scale instead of the easier Major?

[jancivil]

Here's the clever bit...

There's such a fine line between stupid and clever... Basically this

a trick to make it impossible to enter the wrong notes.

is the same as paint-by-numbers.
are they the right notes? They're just safe, to you. At this level of understanding, the chances of good choices are not more than they were really.

A seventh chord... A seventh is the 7th scale degree, the 7th note in the scale. In a major scale it is a semitone lower than the next tonic and is called the leading tone, because it wants to lead to the tonic.

this is true only of the I chord in major. There are two - out of seven - triadic chords occurring by default in major that result in a major quality/major seventh chord, I and IV.

Major scales tend to sound happy, and minor ones sound moody

& D minor is the saddest key of all? You left out that bit.

sorry if a bit brutal. It is really better to get a working understanding of things and some experience with before posting a tutorial isn't it? better for everyone I think. Sort of the blind leading the blind at this juncture. Don't be in such a hurry. People that care take a lot of time with music.

[kennyda]

If anyone who is good on theory wants to check them, add some missing bits, make suggestions or whatever I would be grateful for any input.

I've had a brief look, and would like to make the following comments:

A minor (Am) is A, C and E. It is the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes, simply called 1,3 and 5 or I, III and V.

Traditionally we use the Roman Numerals to refer to chords only, not individual notes. So this is confusing. The third of the chord is certainly not the same as chord III - Just omit the final part of your sentence.

Note that the chord is made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes, called I, III and V in Roman numerals.

Same again.

Are you 100%? What about this here?
"Major and minor scales

The degrees of the traditional major and minor scales may be identified several ways:

the first, second, (major or minor) third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh degrees of the scale;
by Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4 ...), sometimes with carets above them ();
by Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV ...); and
in English, by the names and function: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading note (leading tone in the United States) and tonic again."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degree_(music)

D is the second scale degree, and the second scale degree is always a minor.

Firstly, scale degrees cannot be major or minor; you mean a diatonic chord constructed using that note as the root. (So "produces a minor chord" would be more appropriate).

Yes, good point, hadn't spotted that. I've amended it. Also the bit about it only being for major, though that is spelled out further down.
"D minor is the answer. D is the second scale degree, and the second scale degree of a major chord always produces a minor chord. The rest go like this:"

I removed the Fs and Bs to make the bass line the pentatonic version, i.e. omitting the least important notes.

These are not the least important notes in C major, in fact, they are among the most important.

if they are among the most important notes of the C major, why are they not included in the pentatonic? They are played less often than the other notes are they not? It's true B is important as the leading tone, but that's a bit advanced for where I was up to. How should I explain it differently?

A seventh chord is the 3 note chord (triad) we have seen so far, pus a note a seventh above the root. A seventh is the 7th scale degree, the 7th note in the scale. In a major scale it is a semitone lower than the next tonic and is called the leading tone, because it wants to lead to the tonic. In a natural minor scale the 7th is a tone below the tonic and is called the subtonic. It doesn't lead into the tonic.

This is confusing; are you talking about dominant sevenths, major sevenths or what? - This either needs explaining in more detail or simply left out.

Also, you appear to be confusing the 7th note of a chord and the 7th note of the key (leading note). Only on the root are these the same. On a G chord for example, the 7th would be F, yet the leading note is still B (in C major).

And are you going to mention the common practise of raising the 7th degree in minor keys?

I mean a seventh as in the interval. I see what you mean, maybe I should stick some more pics in here. And yes, there is a bit more I could say about different types of sevenths and raising it in minor keys. I'll knock something together and post it later for you to check. Or you could write it, and I'll do the pics. I want to keep it basic and concise, but I do want to cover the topic more thoroughly.

In a major key you will often go from VI➔I or VII➔I. I is the target and these are considered strong ways to approach it. 

Do you mean V-I rather than VI-I? - The latter is much rarer and isn't a particularly "good" progression.

Probably. I'm still working on that bit. I've changed both chords to this:
"Certain progressions are considered stronger than others. Moving down a fifth (V-I) or up a fourth (IV) is considered strong for example."

How does that sound?

a fourth is 5 semitones and a fifth is 7

Not always. You need to specify perfect fourth and perfect fifth.

Do I really need to change all my fourths and fifths to perfects? This is only intro stuff.

The C3 frequency is approximately 262 Hz, actually 261.63 Hz.

You might want to mention that this is called "middle C".

done

ratio of 3/2

It would be clearer to use the standard 3:2 way of writing ratios.

I've added a note to say they are often expressed as 3:2 etc.

Generally though, not bad. Was there a reason why you started with the minor scale instead of the easier Major?

Ta, not really. Probably because I mainly use minor scales and chords. Cheers for all that, much appreciated.

[kennyda]

Here's the clever bit...

There's such a fine line between stupid and clever... Basically this

a trick to make it impossible to enter the wrong notes.

is the same as paint-by-numbers.
are they the right notes? They're just safe, to you. At this level of understanding, the chances of good choices are not more than they were really.

It is like painting by numbers, and I try to get people away from it straight after. I don't use it, except to make sure I've not put any typo notes in and to reduce space, I actually find it a hindrance. But it is a way to make a tune on day 1.

A seventh chord... A seventh is the 7th scale degree, the 7th note in the scale. In a major scale it is a semitone lower than the next tonic and is called the leading tone, because it wants to lead to the tonic.

this is true only of the I chord in major. There are two - out of seven - triadic chords occurring by default in major that result in a major quality/major seventh chord, I and IV.

You have to bear in mind this is just an intro for beginners, not a proper music course. But I am gonna rewrite the sevenths chords bit, to give more detail.

Major scales tend to sound happy, and minor ones sound moody

& D minor is the saddest key of all? You left out that bit.

sorry if a bit brutal. It is really better to get a working understanding of things and some experience with before posting a tutorial isn't it? better for everyone I think. Sort of the blind leading the blind at this juncture. Don't be in such a hurry. People that care take a lot of time with music.

I'm just trying to give a bit of basic stuff using Ableton live, to get beginners started. You'd be surprised how many people start trying to make tunes with zero knowledge of music, period. My stuff is aimed at explaining the basics in a clear way. I looked at a lot of tutorials on the net, and they just weren't explained well, so I thought 'I can do better'. I know I'm quite good at explaining stuff because I've had to train a lot of people, often young and not particularly bright, in my previous career, not that I have a career. I trained them to be technicians in industry.

[robogone]

Good effort but I would concur with JumpingJackFlash that's it's a little odd to start with A minor rather than C Major. Almost every music teacher starts with C Major so it's a step away from convention.

I have taken a few music lessons and minor keys was not a consideration until quite some time after the introduction of a few Major keys.

[JumpingJackFlash]

Are you 100%?

Yes. While I have no doubt that some people use Roman Numerals in this way, it is not the normal, default and conventional way that musicians are taught. To avoid confusion, I would limit your discussion of scale degrees to Arabic numbers only, and save Roman Numerals for chords.

the second scale degree of a major chord always produces a minor chord.

You mean the second degree of a major scale (not chord).

They are played less often than the other notes are they not? It's true B is important as the leading tone, but that's a bit advanced for where I was up to. How should I explain it differently?

Much depends on the style of the music. I would just omit your sentence about being "important". Leave in the pentatonic bit, but just don't say that they're the most important notes.

I mean a seventh as in the interval.

Ok, but this is not the same as the leading note (7th degree of the scale)

Moving down a fifth (V-I) or up a fourth (IV) is considered strong for example."

up a fourth (I-IV) ?
But note that harmonically, descending a fifth has the same effect as ascending a fourth, so you might want to phrase it something more like this:

Moving down a fifth (or up a fourth) is considered strong, e.g. V-I.

Do I really need to change all my fourths and fifths to perfects?

Not all of them, only the sentence I quoted (where you said a fourth was 5 semitones).

Cheers for all that, much appreciated.

You're welcome.

[kennyda]

Good effort but I would concur with JumpingJackFlash that's it's a little odd to start with A minor rather than C Major. Almost every music teacher starts with C Major so it's a step away from convention.

I have taken a few music lessons and minor keys was not a consideration until quite some time after the introduction of a few Major keys.

cheers, bit late to change it though I think. I'll bear it in mind anyway.

[kennyda]

Are you 100%?

Yes. While I have no doubt that some people use Roman Numerals in this way, it is not the normal, default and conventional way that musicians are taught. To avoid confusion, I would limit your discussion of scale degrees to Arabic numbers only, and save Roman Numerals for chords.

ok, I've changed those

the second scale degree of a major chord always produces a minor chord.

You mean the second degree of a major scale (not chord).

oops!

They are played less often than the other notes are they not? It's true B is important as the leading tone, but that's a bit advanced for where I was up to. How should I explain it differently?

Much depends on the style of the music. I would just omit your sentence about being "important". Leave in the pentatonic bit, but just don't say that they're the most important notes.

ok

I mean a seventh as in the interval.

Ok, but this is not the same as the leading note (7th degree of the scale)

ok, I'm gonna have to look at this seventh bit, I've put a note in that the section needs more work.

Moving down a fifth (V-I) or up a fourth (IV) is considered strong for example."

up a fourth (I-IV) ?

ffs, typosville city last night!

But note that harmonically, descending a fifth has the same effect as ascending a fourth, so you might want to phrase it something more like this:

Moving down a fifth (or up a fourth) is considered strong, e.g. V-I.

done, word for word.

Do I really need to change all my fourths and fifths to perfects?

Not all of them, only the sentence I quoted (where you said a fourth was 5 semitones).

what about this bit from the first one?
"Both chords have another interval, the same for both, which is the first 5 notes (7 semitones) and is called a fifth."

I need to spell out what perfect actually means, in the first tutorial. I've added this to Tutorial 1.

"A fifth covers 5 notes of a scale and is called a perfect fifth when that is 7 semitones, as in the major and minor scale. A fourth covers 4 notes, and is called perfect when it is 5 semitones."

Cheers for all that, much appreciated.

You're welcome.

cheers!

[JumpingJackFlash]

what about this bit from the first one?
"Both chords have another interval, the same for both, which is the first 5 notes (7 semitones) and is called a fifth."

I need to spell out what perfect actually means, in the first tutorial. I've added this to Tutorial 1.

"A fifth covers 5 notes of a scale and is called a perfect fifth when that is 7 semitones, as in the major and minor scale. A fourth covers 4 notes, and is called perfect when it is 5 semitones."

This is still a bit confusing.

What about something like this:

A triad is a simple chord made up of 3 notes; these notes are called the root, third and fifth (from lowest to highest).

This is because the interval between the lower two notes is a third, and the interval between the lowest and highest notes is a fifth.

In minor chords, the third is 3 semitones above the root and is called a "minor third".
In major chords, the third is 4 semitones above the root and is called a "major third".

In both types of chord, the fifth is always 7 semitones above the root. This is called a "perfect fifth".

I recommend illustrating this with examples.

[jancivil]

These [F and B] are not the least important notes in C major, in fact, they are among the most important.

if they are among the most important notes of the C major, why are they not included in the pentatonic? They are played less often than the other notes are they not? It's true B is important as the leading tone, but that's a bit advanced for where I was up to. How should I explain it differently?

played less often in what music?

'major scale' denotes a heptatonic set. pentatonic is not necessarily a subset of that or leaving two notes out of seven. In the history of the world, the pentatonic musics happened first.

the convention of 'C major scale', to JJF, to many many people, is wrapped up w. harmonic language. The two notes you blithely leave out are crux points in the functionality of that harmonic language.

generally pentatonic musics, to this day, are not wrapped up in harmony, nor this convention. there ought to be no confounding of these two things.


It's no good to go about instructing people from this kind of basis; we are dealing with truly basic stuff; yet it's 'a bit advanced' for you? You're only going to muddy waters for people. You should not go to "explain it" until you know it.

Do continue asking questions of knowledgable people as a humble beginner.

[jancivil]

it is a way to make a tune on day 1.

Don't be in such a hurry.

[kennyda]

what about this bit from the first one?
"Both chords have another interval, the same for both, which is the first 5 notes (7 semitones) and is called a fifth."

I need to spell out what perfect actually means, in the first tutorial. I've added this to Tutorial 1.

"A fifth covers 5 notes of a scale and is called a perfect fifth when that is 7 semitones, as in the major and minor scale. A fourth covers 4 notes, and is called perfect when it is 5 semitones."

This is still a bit confusing.

What about something like this:

A triad is a simple chord made up of 3 notes; these notes are called the root, third and fifth (from lowest to highest).

This is because the interval between the lower two notes is a third, and the interval between the lowest and highest notes is a fifth.

In minor chords, the third is 3 semitones above the root and is called a "minor third".
In major chords, the third is 4 semitones above the root and is called a "major third".

In both types of chord, the fifth is always 7 semitones above the root. This is called a "perfect fifth".

I recommend illustrating this with examples.

This doesn't really fit in because you are writing about Triads and it's a subsection called Intervals. I think I'll just paste what you've written straight after it, as a subsection called Triads. Both are a subsection of Chords. This probably isn't a scholarly order to do things in, but words like intervals and triads sound a bit offputting to beginners, so I want Chords to come first.

I've done that and put this image with it, you might want to check it
http://www.macableton.com/_Media/triads ... n_live.png

Am I right in saying that you don't call the notes perfect, just the intervals? Anyway, I think its a good subection. Cheers. You are now in the credits!

[kennyda]

It's no good to go about instructing people from this kind of basis; we are dealing with truly basic stuff; yet it's 'a bit advanced' for you? You're only going to muddy waters for people. You should not go to "explain it" until you know it.

Do continue asking questions of knowledgable people as a humble beginner.

Ok, I'll remove all 4 tutorials from my website, just because you didn't like me calling the two notes 99% of rock guitarists miss out 'less important'.

Or maybe not. I dont mind constructive criticism, I welcome it. I've got rid of the 'important' bit. I don't even mind music snobs glaring at me. I absolutely do want knowledgeable people to check my stuff and add bits.

But I don't really need to be told to not bother.

Let me know if you find any other mistakes and I will change it accordingly.

The two notes you blithely leave out are crux points in the functionality of that harmonic language.

The World's Most-Used Guitar Scale: A Minor Pentatonic

the convention of 'C major scale', to JJF, to many many people, is wrapped up w. harmonic language. The two notes you blithely leave out are crux points in the functionality of that harmonic language.

generally pentatonic musics, to this day, are not wrapped up in harmony, nor this convention. there ought to be no confounding of these two things.
.

You see, to a beginner, all that would be gobbledygook. What they understand is more like this sounds good, how do I play it? A minor pentatonic? Got it!