KVR Audio

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:37 am

Geeze! This book is all over the place with trying to explain chords. It's building up chapter after chapter, but in just about every paragraph they explain things briefly that you are to read in like chapter 8! It has me lost, one thing that is throwing me off 3 chapters into the book is this: It shows a Triad in C Major, it shows the traid C-E-G as major, ok i'm still with it, then it shows D-F-A as being minor, what the hell? Is it because E and F are a half step from one another, is that what makes it a minor rather than a major? I'm trying to learn this, and this book is not making it easy on me. I may not have explained myself clearly out of frustration. But I was just hoping someone could clear this up for me? It would be very appreciated.

o'malley · Post by **o'malley** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:41 am

Do you understand intervals?

In a major chord( ie C-E-G): the interval between the root(C) and the 3d(E) is a major 3d.

In a minor chord(ie D-F-A): the interval between the root(D) and the 3d(F) is a minor 3d.

Hope that helps.

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:51 am

It'sbecoming a bit clearer to me. I do understand intervals, but for some reason I just can't seem to understand what makes this a minor. I assume it is because there is just one half step in between E and F?

kaze · Post by **kaze** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:54 am

Consider how you make a C Major chord. You choose your tonic (C) then you count 4 half-steps from C [c#,d,d#,e] to get E. Keep counting up to 7 half-steps from C [...f,f#,g] to get to G. This is your major chord.

Repeat the process with D and you get D,F#,A. Note that both Major and Minor triads have the 7 half-step interval (the perfect fifth). The difference is that Major contains the interval 4 h-s from the Tonic (Major 3rd) while minor triads contain the interval 3 h-s from the Tonic (minor 3rd).

On what instrument are you working?
Hope my explanation is clear.

o'malley · Post by **o'malley** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:56 am

Yes. If you have a major chord (C-E-G) there are 4 half steps between the root and the third. To make it a minor chord you lower the third one half step (C-Eb-G). now there are only 3 half steps between the root and the third. If you count the steps between D and F you will find there are only 3, thus making it a minor 3d.

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:57 am

Wow, very clear indeed. I'm using a keyboard right now.

o'malley · Post by **o'malley** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:00 am

J_Starner wrote: I'm using a keyboard right now.

Thats good. Keyboard, I think, is the easiest to learn this kind of stuff.

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:03 am

Ok I got it now, you guys are informative. I've been struggling with this! I see now that from D up to F is only three half steps. Thanks so much for helping me.

Karbon L. Forms · Post by **Karbon L. Forms** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:04 am

I struggled for years with chords. Until I realised you were allowed to make up your own.
And what about 12 bar blues? You play a MAJOR progression chord sequence and play a MINOR PENTATONIC (almost) over the top.

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:15 am

I'm in the process of learning, and I am still thinking sometimes like "what the hell am I learning this all for again, will it be of any use?". I really want a concrete way to make notes into melodies though, so I think it is worth it. I've been doing music since I was about 12 and I have never looked into chords the whole time, KVR is a very insightful place. You can find alot of good stuff like instruments and all, and you sort of feed off others inspiration and their music. Being around such experienced people really helps you as a musician. I'm glad I had come across this site.

Karbon L. Forms · Post by **Karbon L. Forms** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:18 am

The curse: I'll start a new fred.

o'malley · Post by **o'malley** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:19 am

This is one of the only good theory books I have seen. Maybe a little advanced but it might be better than the book you have.

Also, you might concider a music fundamentals class at a local community college, if you can.

I'm majoring in music BTW.

kaze · Post by **kaze** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:24 am

Chords and scales; essential stuff. As you learn it you will find that use it without thinking about it. Just like playing techniques, it becomes part of the way one plays.

ouroboros · Post by **ouroboros** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:13 am

There was an excellent thread, a primer, really, written by peel here. It's great reference tool

Check it out;
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... s+interval

No name · Post by **No name** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:27 pm

o'malley wrote: I'm majoring in music BTW.

Doing the same myself

Only thing is, I haven't even began yet.

Life is a b****, and so is my chord book