Key Construction & Chord progression

[slpntrx5]

I really need help. Can someone please explain to me in SIMPLE *** TERMS the following:

1. in key construction, what are things like the ionion scale and stuff?

2. " " " " " " " major 2nds, perfect 4ths, and stuff?

3. How can I find out chord progressions?

4. HOW CAN I USE IT ALL IN IMPROV FOR SONGS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????!!!!!!!!!!!

theory pisses me off sooo bad... :angry:

[cgecko1219]

Don't worry, I am just starting to dive into theory and it takes a while to get the hang of.
http://www.theorylessons.com/index.html
and
http://www.cyberfret.com/

helped alot

[gaslight]

1. The Ionian Mode is just the modal name for the standard Major scale. The Major scale is pretty much the starting point for learning theory because pretty much everything refers back to it in some way.

The modes start on the different degrees (1 through 7) of the major scale. All that means is they start on either the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th note.


1st: Ionian - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2nd: Dorian - 1 2 3b 4 5 6 7b 8
3rd: Phrygian - 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8
4th: Lydian - 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8
5th: Mixolydian - 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
6th: Aeolian - 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
7th: Locrian - 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8

That might look a little complicated in that form, so the easiest way is to look at an example like the C Major scale and its modes. Remember that with the modes, they will always contain the same notes as the scale they are derived from, just starting on a different note.

C Major Scale and its modes.

Ionian/Major Scale = C D E F G A B C
Dorian = D E F G A B C D
Phrygian = E F G A B C D E
Lydian = F G A B C D E F
Mixolydian = G A B C D E F G
Aeolian = A B C D E F G A (Relative Minor; starts on the 6th degree and contains the same notes as the major scale it is derived from. If you play guitar, the easiest way to get to the relative minor is to go down 3 frets. So from the C on the A string (3rd fret) you just go to the open A.)
Locrian = B C D E F G A B

You can also play the modal shapes starting from the root note of the major scale, but I think I've already gone a fair bit off topic from answering your question.

I think what you were after is "The Ionian Mode is the Major scale", the rest is just a bonus I guess.

2. Major 2nds and Perfect 4ths are intervals. This is less complicated than the modes.

What intervals are, is simply the distance between any two notes.

I'll use the major scale as an example.

C D E F G A B C

The intervals between these notes are:


C -> C = Perfect 1st (Unison)
C -> D = Major 2nd
C -> E = Major 3rd
C -> F = Perfect 4th
C -> G = Perfect 5th
C -> A = Major 6th
C -> B = Major 7th
C -> C = Perfect 8th (Octave)


That is how intervals work in relation to the major scale.

Now I'll throw in the other notes that aren't in the Major scale (these new ones will be in italics), and you'll probably get it.


C -> C = Perfect 1st (Unison)
C -> Db = Minor 2nd
C -> D = Major 2nd
C -> Eb = Minor 3rd
C -> E = Major 3rd
C -> F = Perfect 4th
C -> F# or Gb = Tritone (F# will be an "augmented" or raised 4th, whereas Gb will be a "diminished" or flattened 5th.)
C -> G = Perfect 5th
C -> Ab = Minor 6th
C -> A = Major 6th
C -> Bb = Minor 7th
C -> B = Major 7th
C -> C = Perfect 8th (Octave)

3. How can you find out chord progressions? I'm not sure what you mean about that. Do you mean how do you tell what key a song is in by knowing the chords used, or do you mean how do you construct your own progressions in a key?

4. There are a lot of ways, the main ones are like:

* Learning lots of scales and modes, and practising them on your instrument, will make you more familiar with your fretboard and the sounds you can get, so over time you'll know what sounds go best where, and why.

* Having a good ear for identifying keys and scales and chords will help you in improvising with other people, because you won't have to ask them to what they are playing to come up with something that matches it, your ears and brain will do it for you.

* Having a good ear in general will just open up even more things about music to you. Knowing theory and having a good ear will always make you a better musician.

Also, I have had good experiences with this website.

www.musictheory.net

If I didn't answer your question, or you want something explained different, or have more questions, I'll do my best to help you out if I can.

[Trigger_003]

Nice post man :).

[airborne50caliber]

lovely post. rep him

/oops

[Kurrpt]

yea i understand most of that, but i have found too many apps for knowing "what is the perfect 4th of this scale", not to say that it isnt significant.

Guitar Grimoire (sp) is a great book for all of those things

[slpntrx5]

thanks. that helps.