I am so glad I’m not a ‘beginner’ anymore. A year or two ago I would have watched this and been stressed out. Now, I watched it and it was all stuff I’m already familiar with! Hard work really does pay off when it comes to music theory.
Thats where I'm at. Overwhelmed basically. The issue with not having a legit teacher or course for guitar is that I always just dont know exactly where to start, it seems like when I learn about something it mentions something else i dont understand so i try to get that and then that leads me further down the rabbit hole and i just say f it and go play the 3 tool songs i learned lol.
@@CruxalYT Bro, I was right there with you. I’ve been playing for about 6 years now and it took me 3.5 years before I even considered looking at some theory. It was very scary to me. Once I started learning theory, I went through the same exact steps as you. Hit up RUclips, was overwhelmed by all the specifics. The trick is, to pick just one subject at a time. For example, spend time only learning the different intervals. (There are only 12 there also happens to be only 12 notes in the musical alphabet. What a coincidence 👀). Once you have a firm understanding on one topic. You’ll probably have a good idea on which one you are curious about next. (For me it was learning the Minor and Major scale shapes, which was way easier than I thought it would be to learn.) I wish I could teach you some of the stuff I know, but I’m not sure if I would have the right words to say to you in a way that wouldn’t confuse you. xD
@@CruxalYT honestly, it doesn't matter. I came up a brass specialist and percussionist, so theory I knew. I could sight read level 6 material successfully, it's just what you did. Then I decided to play guitar. First, going from a monophonic to polyphonic instrument was crazy. Then trying to apply that on to the neck was sensible as a soup sandwich. Which direction you come from really doesn't matter, this damned fretted fiddle is gonna be a pain in the ass for everybody...
I'm very happy to read this comment because I'm not a beginner to music but musical theory never stuck as a kid (been doing music on and off my entire life nearly). As an adult I'm trying to learn musical theory well. This stuff used to always boggle my mind.. This is encouraging to read! Thanks for the comment. And actually most of this is making sense
@@WagwanHappyPappyHapPap look up Paul David’s music theory lessons. That guy describes everything so good that even with a.d.d. It was easy tk understand.
I have as, sounds like i should give them a go, I don't even get any of it, im seriously thinking of selling ny bass and just getting an oz and fuck it
Intervals are arguably the most important bit of music theory that I beginner needs to understand first. Scales won't make sense without knowing the intervalic relationship between the notes, or why a third or a fifth are what they are. Right out the gate, skip learning scales, note names, whatever Train your ear to pick out what a second sounds like, what a third sounds like, and so on. You don't need to know what notes they are. You just need to know what the relationship sounds like. Hum them if you have to. Make it a physical process to make it easier on yourself. But learn what a flat six sounds like, or how a major triad sounds sounds versus a diminished triad, and so on. Again, note names not required. You're trying to learn how this stuff sounds. It will make learning the rest of music theory a breeze, and you will be able to begin taking that music you make up in your head and turning it into actual lines or riffs you can play. and it works no matter what instrument you are focused on. its the thing I wish someone had told me when i started so that i wasn't a perpetual beginner for a decade.
This is good stuff, man! I've been on and off trying to learn theory for what feels like forever. I'm going to take this approach as it seems to make a lot of sense to me
I think this is where I got lost here - he jumped into intervals and started on about seconds then thirds and showing fret fingering which didn't mean anything to me, but either didn't explain what a third was (or more likely I just missed it). I need to watch this bit quite a few times, I think. Still don't get it.
@@craighellwege5330 So imagine a scale where each note it labeled, for example a F scale would be F G A B flat C D E. You can assign each one a corresponding number so F is one (the root note) G is two and A is three. So in this example a third from F would be A. A better way to explain it is a third is a four semitone difference.
I watched many "tutorials" on music theory, but this one finally had everything to keep me focused : simplicity, going straight to the point, good visuals, and funny professor attitude. Thanks Shred
happens to me ...i know all of that and still suk at playing...im at one point that i know so many and my head explodes when im about to play something .. but when im taking step by step slower and specific my brain hut down like its a motor without the gas ... i dont know wat to do
I am going to keep watching this until it makes sense. This is my 5th time, and I watched 3 times yesterday. Have been watching with guitar in hand. Every time something else you’re saying makes sense. Never thought I’d be able to do this, you’re the man Shred. Thank you.
Music theory is very useful when learning to play songs by ear. When you find the key, you don't have to do as much work with the song. Very useful for people, like me, who don't have a perfect pitch.
Its hard sometimes to hear when there is heavy distortion in notes. Not sure how people get to understanding metal key signatures easily. Probably a ton of practice
A very good attempt at explaining music theory. If I didn't all ready know Music theory I would be confused through this. It really does take a lot of study to get music theory.
@@ShredmasterScott I was able to better grasp music theory on a keyboard. That is my experience. I would suggest using a key board for reference in future music theory vids.
Of course this is more of an introduction to the subjects and jargon to get one familiar. Actually understanding each area will take some time to internalize. Nice roadmap to get started. Really important note is mentioning how different chords give a different feel, and how one should engage the many different areas of the brain and the topic to enhance memory and understanding. Sometimes things will click better and faster and other times you will create new things with the combination of knowledge that others haven't explored. Great stuff!
THANK YOU!!! I have ZERO music education and I’ve wondered about this for so long. I’m going to have to listen to it 15 or 20 more times but it’s all in one place. My hero!
It's confusing as a kid looking at this stuff but now it's nearly as natural as forming a verbal sentence. There's a rubrick being applied under the surface at all times. Thank you for teaching me "droning" and "counterpoint" it really helped me begin to form viable riffs!
Finally, after watching this I crossed the fear threshold stopping me from learning music! This 40 year old woman is already making progress with guitar chords! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
A buddy asked me to watch this video and give my opinion. Pretty good for being 10 minutes :) Here's a couple tidbits you didn't mention that may help some people. The whole step / whole step / half step pattern you mentioned is known as a "tetrachord". You can simplify the memorization of the major scale by knowing that it's actually 2 tetrachords, separated by another whole step. Less to memorize. The augmented 4th interval is also known as the tritone. Once known as the devil's tritone in classical times. It's very recognizable in the Back To The Future theme between the 2nd and 3 notes of the melody. That's what we were trained in college to listen for, for that interval. For any guitar players, if you play all scales strictly as 3 notes per string, it will greatly simplify the memorization of all 7 modes. That's because any diatonic scale (7 notes) is a repeating pattern that spans 7 strings. Each mode or position of the scale simply starts on a different step of the same pattern. Something I figured out early on but I've never seen in print. I actually wrote up a short e-book on the 3 notes per string pattern stuff to make it crystal clear. If anyone wants a copy, email or message me. Keep up the good work (evil laugh)!
My friend taught me basic chords for a week then barre chords for a month. After that, he then taught me power chords for a month. After studying chords for almost 3 months. He said to go practice tabs without saying anything. It sounds amazing when I'm practising tabs, only to learn now that it is called music theory.
I used to know a lot about this stuff because I was in concert band. I played the B Flat Clarinet (for the people that don’t know, it’s the normal looking clarinet that you think of when you hear “clarinet” because there’s the bass clarinet which is a bigger clarinet that looks like a saxophone and a clarinet combined. And it hits the really deep notes). I just want to get back into this because one of my dream jobs is something to do with music, between that and being a comedic RUclipsr. I just enjoy helping people and making people happy, RUclips does that, I can connect with people and make them laugh brightening up their day and most music makes people happy and brighten up their day. We’re only here for so long, so my main mission in life is to help people and make them happy.
Just finished watching your video. Been a musician since 7 (drummer, sometimes bass) and never understood music theory. NOW, it makes sense...thanks dude!
As someone who knows about major scales and how to construct them, and is also learning about modes and therefore how to construct minor scales, Lord Shred has made music theory very easy to understand.
@ShredmasterScott I am drummer who is also musical and wanted to “scratch the surface” of music theory. After watching your video and applying it to a keyboard, I feel like I “get it.” Thanks for all you do, you’re the man.
not only is this genuinely beginner friendly, but also very entertaining and engaging to watch. i feel like i'm actually starting to get music theory after months of being too intimidated to touch it! thanks Shred, you've earned yourself a sub :D
Been playing guitar for almost two decades. Never underestimate the basics. I am not formally trained though I learned theory and sight reading in highschool but haven't touched it in over ten years. I had two guitar teachers and neither even mentioned the circle of fifths, this is a good simple explanation of it and there's some others as well. Modes still kind of fuck me up though. I am familiar with some and I know I have used some in my playing and writing. But in an on paper way, I have had different musicians give completely different explanations of the what and how in relation to scales. I would definitely like to have a better understanding of modes and their application.
Googled helped me with searches like "Relative key of A or modes of a key" for example and then eventually I started to learn the patterns and hear the differences in what worked and how different modes fit inside one scale. Think of it as a certain scale being the same say the Major scale in the key of A the modes are just starting on different root notes inside that scale... think of it as a box inside a box! For example Aeolian Mode is the six mode of the Major scale. Sounds totally different because you are playing the notes in a different order... starting on the six note of the major I believe.... I still haven't remembered all the different modes and scales and how they relate to each key and what number they are or any of that.
Not quite rushing, more like trying to get more information. I just started guitar lessons and that 1 hour goes by so quickly. She touched on it but said we'll cover more in the next lesson. I just wanna prep a bit.
wanna start playing the guitar, im saving up for one and gonna learn from youtube i guess. so this is just preparation kinda (and i wanna start it so bad i cant really wait to learn scary difficult weird mf music lol)
I’m trying to understand the notes and where they are on the guitar first. Any tips on what to work on in the very first stages for a complete beginner? I’d love to pick a guitar up and just shred one full song one day.
I have been learning piano for a decade and it’s so refreshing seeing new people learning about music theory and the basics. I am here because my friend needs pointers on learning theory. To my musicians starting out, you got this and I know it’s a long journey but it’s so worth it in the end. Don’t give up and you will be amazing :)
Could not have asked for a better video to start learning music theory! My friends who’ve played music all their lives told me music theory is hard, but you showed them wrong. Thank you for the awesome content!!
I have heard of the circle of fifths for years. And it wasn't until you mentioned it here, that each key is five notes apart, that I understood why it was called that.
As someone who is used to calculus and high level math and physics, this was very well put and I found it easier to understand than I've ever seen music theory explained before. thank you!
Mind already blown on just the major vs. minor scales. 🤯 It makes so much more sense now! I always wondered why at Sacred Harp, they'd "teach" us a major vs. minor scale by singing what I assumed were the same series of notes, but at different starting and ending points. Seriously, music people need to stop teaching music by ear and start explaining ideas in words! This is so educational - and I'm only 4 minutes in. 😂
This is amazing, thanks you! I've been playing scale notes all along because they sounded good without knowing what they were. Very useful information.
Shred, thank you for all of your musical knowledge, I've been playing metal on guitar for 30 years but I don't know much theory, I just let my hands go and it works, thanks shred, !!
After hours of watching "beginner" videos and still being clueless, you've really put it in a way that makes sense and doesn't feel like trying to learn french. Thank you sir!
Doing Intervals on my A string at C helped my already trained brain really grasp the counting. However easier in dexterity for the first half on your higher G string. Following a perfect 5th on your actual Fifth fret, whilst now reminding yourself all those power chords from all those years WERE PERFECT. . . You have your perfect 5th to count from. I am in hopes this helps others with who may also look at the fret board as I do. . . I hardly touch my high strings. CHEERS BROTHER, YOU HAVE HELPED ME GREATLY.. hmhmmmuahahaha.
Usually I have to take weeks, months, years and so much suffering of watching 40 minute tutorials which I don't even understand by the end to learn something. Recently I learned 3D animation which has been a goal one of my biggest goals for a long time, it took 3 years to get the basics down. I decided I was ready to try music, and I knew I wouldn't get it even with a simple tutorial. That was until I was halfway through watching this video and everything you said just clicked instantly. You explain it so simply yet in a fun way. This was great, thank you so much.
Thanks a lot Shred! Your circle of fifths diagram is gold!! The outer circle in capital letters indicates majors and the inner circle reflects minors, makes it easy to understand chord progression, which I have been struggling with. ❤❤❤❤❤
35 years of music experience as a multi instrumentalist. I started to play music at 5 years old and got 6 teachers. I've learned deep theorical and music harmony. At 12 years old I reproduced in step record every Final Fantasy 6 orchestrals songs with my electronic organ (with disket) I played Charlie Parker - Anthropology with an organ, hands and 2 feets to play the line bass. I wrote more than 250 songs until now and sing them that I kept private cause I did it only for fun and not for the showing. And now I'm a certified sound engineer. What I can say is... music is infinite, but at the same time so easy to learn if you understand the vibration of frequency. When you understood the 12 notes in a chromatic scales and understand their relation, you become free manipulate them and also free to understand what you will hear in your head, reproduce it, jam, and produce everything you please.
I have been doing music in one form or another for more than a decade, but never took a music theory course. Thanks for clearing up some of the basics I kind of knew but never had a definition for.
I've tried diving into music theory before, and it always just left me frustrated and confused, but something in the way you break everything down so simply- it's finally starting to click. I'm still kinda confused on some parts, but I've never felt this confident at beginning to understand this.
I keep coming back to this video for reference and I just now noticed the cursor that's used on the keyboard at 3:45. I had a much needed laugh seeing that :)
This was really helpful. Thanks a lot!👍 I had music classes once, and I was a little thrown off since the note 'b' is 'h' in german for whatever stupid reason. I can't read notes yet, but at least I can always tell what 'c' sounds like. It's (as you've already explained better than I can) a signature note. I always found music fascinating and admire people that can analyze chords, key, rythm etc. in songs. You earned yourself a new sub. Keep up the great work!
Welcome aboard! This channel provides a wealth of information for people of all levels. If I could offer tips to a beginner, practice with a metronome, focus on your hand synchronization, and jam with a drummer whenever possible.
Finding this two years later when trying to buckle down for the millionth time and learn theory. This has been immensely helpful; thank you! And the video length is perfect to learn a lot in a short amount of time, and review.
I have idea for a lesson: teach people how to make their left hand talk to their right. Usually the picking hand is the fastest so what are you exorcises to make sure they talk to each other in syncopation
I can’t believe it took me this long to finally put in the effort to learn this stuff. I always thought it would just come to me over time but I actually needed to start taking notes and writing it down
Ive been playing guitar for 7 months and have been thoroughly teaching myself music theory during that time and its made it so that people who've played for years are impressed or learn something from it. Its kindve funny.
@@d1velndon770 well I would dedicate a looooot of time to playing. It became my defacto entertainment source since I took my game system and tv out of my room. It's been fun as hell but now im trying to relearn how to play, I've gotten into some bad habits but overall my playings been described as pretty. I mainly do classical and just kindve play instead of planning what I'm gonna do. As someone with ADHD it's easy to hyper focus on playing for long periods of time and also easy to forget what I was playing so I end up doing alot of the same stuff when I pick it up. All in all guitar is a piece of my life and I love playing. I hope you can stick to playing. And as a tip. Look at the guitar fretboard notes. The whole notes on the board give the pattern to play in the key of c major and a minor. You can move that pattern around and regardless of what note you play on there it'll sound atleast half decent. I'd recommend the caged system and Pentatonix first since their alot more beginner friendly but definitely work up from there. I wish you all the luck man, just remember to have fun with it and don't take it too seriously, chicks don't dig guys that are super good and technical, they like stuff that sounds good. And there's a big difference between technically good and actually good.
Depends how many years . I've been playing for over 30 years, In my experience... If you practice hard every day for 7 months, you can generally impress people who have been playing on and off for up to 3 years beyond that... they shouldn't be impressed or .. they could be mildly suprised, but you shouldn't be teaching them anything by any stretch, you see up to 3 years is the mark at which a person either gives up or stays on forever so.. that person who tells you they've been playing for 2 years, could be on the verge of giving up, which means they probably played on and off for 1 year then put the guitar down for 6 months then picked up for a month and now they have no passion left and here you come with all the passion in the world, thinking they played hard for 2 years where in fact it's maybe 1 year if you stick with guitar and your'e still pumped after 3 years, You have nothing to worry about. Just keep practicing mate
I've been playing guitar for 30 years. I've been in metal bands, progressive metal bands, acoustic 2 piece bands. I know absolutely no music theory what so ever. None of it makes any sense to me. But I still write my own songs and write solos. I don't know what notes I'm playing and the thing is I don't care. I do it all by ear and fret memorizing. I know myself and if I had to spend time trying to memorize theory I would not still be playing guitar. It wouldn't be fun anymore. The way I do guitar wouldn't work for alot of people but it works for me.
I stack cinder blocks with my bare feet while watching these videos. I have been doing that for a long time. Hey,could you do a video or two about 12 tone serialism or maybe Ron Jarzombek's variations on the 12 tone row technique? If you know of any other similar techniques,include those too. That would rule!
Being a mostly Bass Player, seldom worried about music theory. But this does help when creating solos. Also most of this stuff, I recall from High School band.
@@TheBanana93 well that is because we play 2 different styles of music. As Geezer Butler said in an interview, just copy whatever the lead does. As long as you know your scales, no problem. However Bass is similar to the Drums. Read what the books state on those 2 instruments. Practice is needed, not Music Theory. That is primarily reserved for Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, and Clef note music. Bass and Drums simply add a beat to the mix.
O man after this at first i was losing it but after writing it down I had a "lightbulb" moment and everything changed. This vid was game changer! Thanks Shred!
Thanks for introducing me to MT. Before this I wasn’t really motivated to play guitar and had one in my basement for 10 years. Tuned it up and now I’m vibing 😎
So informative! Your use of education and humor is so well executed. Your information is clearly presented and the humor provides comic relief that the viewer didn't even know they needed. Your humorous personality is very likable. Thanks for the great lesson 😎
"Confirming your knowledge from as many different angles as possible makes it stronger" Hell yes dude. This is a great video, recommended to me by my cousin. He deserves a cut of the profits 👍🤭
Great video ! I have been playing bass for 10 years . Only self taught never learned theory only tabs . I am familiar with this stuff but this video made it super ez to understand . Start to finish great video man!
Thank you for explain to me the biggest mystery in music theory and that is the intervals. I always thought a 5th was a fraction and explains why a 4th is not a quarter and a 2nd a half.
You should specify that those were the natural major (i.e. the Ionian mode) and natural minor (i.e. the Aeolian mode) so viewers who are unfamiliar with music theory don't become confused as they learn the other 5 diatonic major and minor scales (modes). Also, the circle of 5th is just confusing in general and should be taught after the modes. And fuck sight reading - the majority of the greatest rock and metal guitarists can't read. notation.
not all music exists yet, so there is much that is theoretical. But I agree, its not a comfortable term for most folks. "Theory" makes it sound like astrophysics.
I am in a good place when it comes to music theory today, but I wish I had a video like this when I was first starting to take it on many years ago. As a self taught musician, I spent years staying away from music theory and anything else that I deemed overly complicated, like reading and writing music. That, and the fact that I didn't think I needed it. I taught myself to play, I played extremely well, so for most years, I thought music theory and reading music was simply a huge waste of time. I also had many musician friends constantly telling me that I didn't need it. The problem with that advice was that I never stopped to consider that their of lack success could have been rooted in the fact that they had no knowledge of music theory. In other words, these people could have been somebody, they could have been contenders, but their lack of music theory stifled their growth and success! After some years, it became clear that I could no longer avoid music theory because it was the only thing that would allow me to elevate to my next guitar level. I also felt that I wanted to do something different, learn something different, too. I eventually learned that there is no greater thing in the world than a thirsty mind and lots of time on your hands! Still, at the time, a video like this would have made the process far easier for me. This is such a great video that I passed it along to my son in the hopes that he will take on music theory far earlier than I did. Like me, he is self-taught and he is good. I am hoping that he can elevate far more than I ever did!
Dominant seventh's😎 If you look closely, there are actually only 3 of them, which makes them a portal to any key. I use them in my compositions a lot. Muhahahahaha
Key changes, I suppose. I love the way you can change the feel of a piece of music by not being afraid to change gears, you know? Not to mention, finding creative ways to switch between said keys is fun in itself!
5:00 you explain what a minor second is, the distance between two notes half step away you explain what a major second is, the distance between two notes a whole step away But you don't explain what thirds are. You just talk about them like everyone knows everything.
I'm at the step where I'm learning scales. They can be quite intimidating when you first start learning them. After watching this, you made it enjoyable and broke it down in a way that it's not as intimidating trying to learn them. When you start throwing out all the terms it's like triad, fith, sharp, flat, you're like what? But I dig your way of explaining it. Thanks for breaking it down to where its understandable
⚡FREE Scale Bible!
shredmasterscott.activehosted.com/f/1
Note Names 0:50
Scales 3:00
Intervals 4:45
Chords 6:39
Key Signatures 8:25
Music Notation 9:44
A musical symphony if you talk about music videos. 🙂↔️
I need the sound you play during the transition, at all of these times
Me
I am so glad I’m not a ‘beginner’ anymore. A year or two ago I would have watched this and been stressed out. Now, I watched it and it was all stuff I’m already familiar with! Hard work really does pay off when it comes to music theory.
Thats where I'm at. Overwhelmed basically. The issue with not having a legit teacher or course for guitar is that I always just dont know exactly where to start, it seems like when I learn about something it mentions something else i dont understand so i try to get that and then that leads me further down the rabbit hole and i just say f it and go play the 3 tool songs i learned lol.
@@CruxalYT Bro, I was right there with you. I’ve been playing for about 6 years now and it took me 3.5 years before I even considered looking at some theory. It was very scary to me.
Once I started learning theory, I went through the same exact steps as you. Hit up RUclips, was overwhelmed by all the specifics.
The trick is, to pick just one subject at a time.
For example, spend time only learning the different intervals. (There are only 12 there also happens to be only 12 notes in the musical alphabet. What a coincidence 👀).
Once you have a firm understanding on one topic. You’ll probably have a good idea on which one you are curious about next.
(For me it was learning the Minor and Major scale shapes, which was way easier than I thought it would be to learn.)
I wish I could teach you some of the stuff I know, but I’m not sure if I would have the right words to say to you in a way that wouldn’t confuse you. xD
@@CruxalYT honestly, it doesn't matter. I came up a brass specialist and percussionist, so theory I knew. I could sight read level 6 material successfully, it's just what you did. Then I decided to play guitar. First, going from a monophonic to polyphonic instrument was crazy. Then trying to apply that on to the neck was sensible as a soup sandwich. Which direction you come from really doesn't matter, this damned fretted fiddle is gonna be a pain in the ass for everybody...
I'm very happy to read this comment because I'm not a beginner to music but musical theory never stuck as a kid (been doing music on and off my entire life nearly). As an adult I'm trying to learn musical theory well. This stuff used to always boggle my mind.. This is encouraging to read! Thanks for the comment. And actually most of this is making sense
I am completely stressed out ahahha
Finally someone actually explains it on a beginner level. I’ve gotten lost after 2 minutes on many other so called beginner lessons. Thank you, sir.
I'm also a beginner! This was indeed great! I can recommend also this channel: ruclips.net/video/UAeW3U-bHmI/видео.html
I was immediately lost and still am hahaha
@@WagwanHappyPappyHapPap look up Paul David’s music theory lessons. That guy describes everything so good that even with a.d.d. It was easy tk understand.
@@xaphan8581thank you.
I have as, sounds like i should give them a go, I don't even get any of it, im seriously thinking of selling ny bass and just getting an oz and fuck it
Intervals are arguably the most important bit of music theory that I beginner needs to understand first. Scales won't make sense without knowing the intervalic relationship between the notes, or why a third or a fifth are what they are.
Right out the gate, skip learning scales, note names, whatever
Train your ear to pick out what a second sounds like, what a third sounds like, and so on. You don't need to know what notes they are. You just need to know what the relationship sounds like. Hum them if you have to. Make it a physical process to make it easier on yourself. But learn what a flat six sounds like, or how a major triad sounds sounds versus a diminished triad, and so on. Again, note names not required. You're trying to learn how this stuff sounds.
It will make learning the rest of music theory a breeze, and you will be able to begin taking that music you make up in your head and turning it into actual lines or riffs you can play. and it works no matter what instrument you are focused on.
its the thing I wish someone had told me when i started so that i wasn't a perpetual beginner for a decade.
Thank you so much. I think this is what Ive been looking for
This is good stuff, man! I've been on and off trying to learn theory for what feels like forever. I'm going to take this approach as it seems to make a lot of sense to me
After learning scales I would like to second this, this helped me play music by ear and improv much better.
I think this is where I got lost here - he jumped into intervals and started on about seconds then thirds and showing fret fingering which didn't mean anything to me, but either didn't explain what a third was (or more likely I just missed it). I need to watch this bit quite a few times, I think. Still don't get it.
@@craighellwege5330 So imagine a scale where each note it labeled, for example a F scale would be F G A B flat C D E. You can assign each one a corresponding number so F is one (the root note) G is two and A is three. So in this example a third from F would be A. A better way to explain it is a third is a four semitone difference.
I watched many "tutorials" on music theory, but this one finally had everything to keep me focused : simplicity, going straight to the point, good visuals, and funny professor attitude. Thanks Shred
This video probably taught me more about music theory in 12 minutes than I've learned in the past 50 years 🤣
69th like mwahahaha
@@unexplicitist-oy3eh 😂
happens to me ...i know all of that and still suk at playing...im at one point that i know so many and my head explodes when im about to play something .. but when im taking step by step slower and specific my brain hut down like its a motor without the gas ... i dont know wat to do
same, but just 5 years
if moist critical made music
Lmaoooo he does his band is called the gentleman and it's sick I'm surprised moist critical fans don't know this
He does…
should we tell him
I will not say I totally get it yet, but you have explained so well that I find myself much more interested in learning theory. Thank you, Shred!
100% agreed!
This was less a lesson and more this guy talking about what he knows. There are much better music theory videos around.
@@AnthonyScottGames any links?
@@axila_kryptic913 Hunter Macdermut, Justin Guitar. Even John Mayer has a RUclips channel where he teaches stuff…
What did you not understand.
I've been playing guitar for over 30 years, this is like 1+1 Possibly even easier
if you have a question... Ask !!!
I am going to keep watching this until it makes sense. This is my 5th time, and I watched 3 times yesterday. Have been watching with guitar in hand. Every time something else you’re saying makes sense.
Never thought I’d be able to do this, you’re the man Shred. Thank you.
Whats the update?
Do you still have to come back when you want to understand music theory?
Well this obviously isn't the way to go dude, buy a book
Music theory is very useful when learning to play songs by ear. When you find the key, you don't have to do as much work with the song. Very useful for people, like me, who don't have a perfect pitch.
G shit for real
God Christ Jesus bless you all and have a wonderful day my family
Its hard sometimes to hear when there is heavy distortion in notes. Not sure how people get to understanding metal key signatures easily. Probably a ton of practice
@@Madchris8828 it helps that metal usually drones the lowest note so it gives a little bit of context
@@NubsWithGuns How so? I simply pointed out where knowing a little can be useful and what could motivate others to learn at least the basics.
I miss studying music in high school. Concert band was literally one of the biggest moments of my life.
same 😢 I wanted to do professional woodwinds in orchestra pit, then marching band ruined it all for me in HS
A very good attempt at explaining music theory. If I didn't all ready know Music theory I would be confused through this. It really does take a lot of study to get music theory.
I need to a video on each of the topics so i can explain things better
@@ShredmasterScott I was able to better grasp music theory on a keyboard. That is my experience. I would suggest using a key board for reference in future music theory vids.
Of course this is more of an introduction to the subjects and jargon to get one familiar. Actually understanding each area will take some time to internalize. Nice roadmap to get started. Really important note is mentioning how different chords give a different feel, and how one should engage the many different areas of the brain and the topic to enhance memory and understanding. Sometimes things will click better and faster and other times you will create new things with the combination of knowledge that others haven't explored. Great stuff!
@@ShredmasterScott you shouldn't have to there's a big book on Amazon if you wanna get that gay
@@adaptercrash true understanding of music theory requires the big gay
THANK YOU!!! I have ZERO music education and I’ve wondered about this for so long. I’m going to have to listen to it 15 or 20 more times but it’s all in one place. My hero!
It's confusing as a kid looking at this stuff but now it's nearly as natural as forming a verbal sentence. There's a rubrick being applied under the surface at all times.
Thank you for teaching me "droning" and "counterpoint" it really helped me begin to form viable riffs!
0:06 Funny thing is I literally have an easier time understanding rocket science whereas music theory seems like some kind of enigma.
At least Rocket science makes sense 🤣
In all honesty though both of these are just maths applied in different ways
I've been playing for years by ear but this gave me a good grasp on theory and made me more comfortable with learning more. Thankyou Shred
Finally, after watching this I crossed the fear threshold stopping me from learning music! This 40 year old woman is already making progress with guitar chords! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
A buddy asked me to watch this video and give my opinion. Pretty good for being 10 minutes :) Here's a couple tidbits you didn't mention that may help some people.
The whole step / whole step / half step pattern you mentioned is known as a "tetrachord". You can simplify the memorization of the major scale by knowing that it's actually 2 tetrachords, separated by another whole step. Less to memorize.
The augmented 4th interval is also known as the tritone. Once known as the devil's tritone in classical times. It's very recognizable in the Back To The Future theme between the 2nd and 3 notes of the melody. That's what we were trained in college to listen for, for that interval.
For any guitar players, if you play all scales strictly as 3 notes per string, it will greatly simplify the memorization of all 7 modes. That's because any diatonic scale (7 notes) is a repeating pattern that spans 7 strings. Each mode or position of the scale simply starts on a different step of the same pattern. Something I figured out early on but I've never seen in print. I actually wrote up a short e-book on the 3 notes per string pattern stuff to make it crystal clear. If anyone wants a copy, email or message me.
Keep up the good work (evil laugh)!
Shred you are the first person that’s ever explained music in such a gripping way. Thank you
This content is the portal to the darkest path of pure music evilness. Thank you so much, Evil Lord. You are a hell of a master!! Muhahahaha 😈
*master of hell 🔥- muhahaha
God Christ Jesus bless you both, have a nice day today my family
@@joshua2400 Thank you dad
@@joshua2400 amen. people need the Lord
Okay but his half assed evil laugh is so annoying it erupts a primal hate
My friend taught me basic chords for a week then barre chords for a month. After that, he then taught me power chords for a month. After studying chords for almost 3 months. He said to go practice tabs without saying anything. It sounds amazing when I'm practising tabs, only to learn now that it is called music theory.
I used to know a lot about this stuff because I was in concert band. I played the B Flat Clarinet (for the people that don’t know, it’s the normal looking clarinet that you think of when you hear “clarinet” because there’s the bass clarinet which is a bigger clarinet that looks like a saxophone and a clarinet combined. And it hits the really deep notes). I just want to get back into this because one of my dream jobs is something to do with music, between that and being a comedic RUclipsr. I just enjoy helping people and making people happy, RUclips does that, I can connect with people and make them laugh brightening up their day and most music makes people happy and brighten up their day. We’re only here for so long, so my main mission in life is to help people and make them happy.
Just finished watching your video. Been a musician since 7 (drummer, sometimes bass) and never understood music theory. NOW, it makes sense...thanks dude!
As someone who knows about major scales and how to construct them, and is also learning about modes and therefore how to construct minor scales, Lord Shred has made music theory very easy to understand.
@ShredmasterScott
I am drummer who is also musical and wanted to “scratch the surface” of music theory. After watching your video and applying it to a keyboard, I feel like I “get it.”
Thanks for all you do, you’re the man.
So cool to finally see Dadmaster Scott!
he hided his horns I think
Or is that Shredmaster Dad?
not only is this genuinely beginner friendly, but also very entertaining and engaging to watch. i feel like i'm actually starting to get music theory after months of being too intimidated to touch it! thanks Shred, you've earned yourself a sub :D
Been playing guitar for almost two decades. Never underestimate the basics. I am not formally trained though I learned theory and sight reading in highschool but haven't touched it in over ten years.
I had two guitar teachers and neither even mentioned the circle of fifths, this is a good simple explanation of it and there's some others as well.
Modes still kind of fuck me up though. I am familiar with some and I know I have used some in my playing and writing. But in an on paper way, I have had different musicians give completely different explanations of the what and how in relation to scales. I would definitely like to have a better understanding of modes and their application.
Googled helped me with searches like "Relative key of A or modes of a key" for example and then eventually I started to learn the patterns and hear the differences in what worked and how different modes fit inside one scale. Think of it as a certain scale being the same say the Major scale in the key of A the modes are just starting on different root notes inside that scale... think of it as a box inside a box! For example Aeolian Mode is the six mode of the Major scale. Sounds totally different because you are playing the notes in a different order... starting on the six note of the major I believe.... I still haven't remembered all the different modes and scales and how they relate to each key and what number they are or any of that.
Who else watching this cause they rushing the beginner stage?
🙋♀️
Not quite rushing, more like trying to get more information. I just started guitar lessons and that 1 hour goes by so quickly. She touched on it but said we'll cover more in the next lesson. I just wanna prep a bit.
wanna start playing the guitar, im saving up for one and gonna learn from youtube i guess. so this is just preparation kinda (and i wanna start it so bad i cant really wait to learn scary difficult weird mf music lol)
me
I’m trying to understand the notes and where they are on the guitar first. Any tips on what to work on in the very first stages for a complete beginner? I’d love to pick a guitar up and just shred one full song one day.
Thanks, Lord Shred! I’m finally one step closer to learning how to play Wonderwall!
By now you should have somehow realized what you gotta do
Today is gonna be the day
I dont believe that anybody, feel the way you do about it nooow
@@Schwange
Maybe.... :P
I know you've heard it all before but you never really had a doubt
I have been learning piano for a decade and it’s so refreshing seeing new people learning about music theory and the basics. I am here because my friend needs pointers on learning theory. To my musicians starting out, you got this and I know it’s a long journey but it’s so worth it in the end. Don’t give up and you will be amazing :)
Omg, I think I'm finally getting the circle of fifths, Shred, you are awesome man.
Could not have asked for a better video to start learning music theory! My friends who’ve played music all their lives told me music theory is hard, but you showed them wrong. Thank you for the awesome content!!
@@Monsterqueen333 glad you enjoyed the video monster queen!
I have heard of the circle of fifths for years. And it wasn't until you mentioned it here, that each key is five notes apart, that I understood why it was called that.
As someone who is used to calculus and high level math and physics, this was very well put and I found it easier to understand than I've ever seen music theory explained before. thank you!
13 minutes would have been sick af
Would have been more evil if he shortened it to 666 seconds
Mind already blown on just the major vs. minor scales. 🤯 It makes so much more sense now! I always wondered why at Sacred Harp, they'd "teach" us a major vs. minor scale by singing what I assumed were the same series of notes, but at different starting and ending points. Seriously, music people need to stop teaching music by ear and start explaining ideas in words! This is so educational - and I'm only 4 minutes in. 😂
This is amazing, thanks you! I've been playing scale notes all along because they sounded good without knowing what they were. Very useful information.
This coupled with time signatures is basically it. Spent six years of my life learning this before I felt comfortable writing music
Shred, thank you for all of your musical knowledge, I've been playing metal on guitar for 30 years but I don't know much theory, I just let my hands go and it works, thanks shred, !!
After hours of watching "beginner" videos and still being clueless, you've really put it in a way that makes sense and doesn't feel like trying to learn french. Thank you sir!
Doing Intervals on my A string at C helped my already trained brain really grasp the counting. However easier in dexterity for the first half on your higher G string. Following a perfect 5th on your actual Fifth fret, whilst now reminding yourself all those power chords from all those years WERE PERFECT. . . You have your perfect 5th to count from.
I am in hopes this helps others with who may also look at the fret board as I do. . . I hardly touch my high strings. CHEERS BROTHER, YOU HAVE HELPED ME GREATLY.. hmhmmmuahahaha.
Usually I have to take weeks, months, years and so much suffering of watching 40 minute tutorials which I don't even understand by the end to learn something.
Recently I learned 3D animation which has been a goal one of my biggest goals for a long time, it took 3 years to get the basics down.
I decided I was ready to try music, and I knew I wouldn't get it even with a simple tutorial. That was until I was halfway through watching this video and everything you said just clicked instantly. You explain it so simply yet in a fun way. This was great, thank you so much.
This dude deserves millions of subscribers. Gold content.
Thanks a lot Shred! Your circle of fifths diagram is gold!! The outer circle in capital letters indicates majors and the inner circle reflects minors, makes it easy to understand chord progression, which I have been struggling with. ❤❤❤❤❤
Been playing guitar for 17 years and piano for 5 and I could watch this video several times and learn more. Kudos / Subbed
This is awesome, now I can learn cardi b songs
35 years of music experience as a multi instrumentalist. I started to play music at 5 years old and got 6 teachers. I've learned deep theorical and music harmony. At 12 years old I reproduced in step record every Final Fantasy 6 orchestrals songs with my electronic organ (with disket) I played Charlie Parker - Anthropology with an organ, hands and 2 feets to play the line bass. I wrote more than 250 songs until now and sing them that I kept private cause I did it only for fun and not for the showing. And now I'm a certified sound engineer.
What I can say is... music is infinite, but at the same time so easy to learn if you understand the vibration of frequency.
When you understood the 12 notes in a chromatic scales and understand their relation, you become free manipulate them and also free to understand what you will hear in your head, reproduce it, jam, and produce everything you please.
I have been doing music in one form or another for more than a decade, but never took a music theory course. Thanks for clearing up some of the basics I kind of knew but never had a definition for.
Ive been playing instruments for a while, but i have no idea about music theory and i felt guilty about it so thanks for helping me out
if your moderately good at playing you probably do understand but don’t know it
Thanks for the darkness. I've tried to learn theory multiple times hopefully it sticks somewhat this time. Shred 4 life!!!
I've tried diving into music theory before, and it always just left me frustrated and confused, but something in the way you break everything down so simply- it's finally starting to click. I'm still kinda confused on some parts, but I've never felt this confident at beginning to understand this.
I keep coming back to this video for reference and I just now noticed the cursor that's used on the keyboard at 3:45. I had a much needed laugh seeing that :)
This was really helpful. Thanks a lot!👍 I had music classes once, and I was a little thrown off since the note 'b' is 'h' in german for whatever stupid reason. I can't read notes yet, but at least I can always tell what 'c' sounds like. It's (as you've already explained better than I can) a signature note. I always found music fascinating and admire people that can analyze chords, key, rythm etc. in songs. You earned yourself a new sub. Keep up the great work!
Damn, thanks for providing this. I love your videos but I'm a complete noob at playing guitar.
Welcome aboard! This channel provides a wealth of information for people of all levels.
If I could offer tips to a beginner, practice with a metronome, focus on your hand synchronization, and jam with a drummer whenever possible.
Everyone here has talked and shared how amazing this lesson was, BUT I CANT GET OVER THR LAUGH ITS SO FUNNT EVERYTIME
I don’t know why but I understand all of this yet I’ve never had a single music lesson, nor have I ever read up about it, you explained this so well
I miss studying music in high school. Concert band was literally one of the biggest moments of my life.
Thanks. This the only theory video I've been able to watch completely
Finding this two years later when trying to buckle down for the millionth time and learn theory. This has been immensely helpful; thank you! And the video length is perfect to learn a lot in a short amount of time, and review.
I have idea for a lesson: teach people how to make their left hand talk to their right. Usually the picking hand is the fastest so what are you exorcises to make sure they talk to each other in syncopation
just play man, with time your hand speeds up, practise to not make it sloppy but you just need to play more
I can’t believe it took me this long to finally put in the effort to learn this stuff. I always thought it would just come to me over time but I actually needed to start taking notes and writing it down
Ive been playing guitar for 7 months and have been thoroughly teaching myself music theory during that time and its made it so that people who've played for years are impressed or learn something from it. Its kindve funny.
how has the journey been? I got my first guitar yesterday and am excited to see progress
@@d1velndon770 well I would dedicate a looooot of time to playing. It became my defacto entertainment source since I took my game system and tv out of my room. It's been fun as hell but now im trying to relearn how to play, I've gotten into some bad habits but overall my playings been described as pretty. I mainly do classical and just kindve play instead of planning what I'm gonna do. As someone with ADHD it's easy to hyper focus on playing for long periods of time and also easy to forget what I was playing so I end up doing alot of the same stuff when I pick it up. All in all guitar is a piece of my life and I love playing. I hope you can stick to playing. And as a tip. Look at the guitar fretboard notes. The whole notes on the board give the pattern to play in the key of c major and a minor. You can move that pattern around and regardless of what note you play on there it'll sound atleast half decent. I'd recommend the caged system and Pentatonix first since their alot more beginner friendly but definitely work up from there. I wish you all the luck man, just remember to have fun with it and don't take it too seriously, chicks don't dig guys that are super good and technical, they like stuff that sounds good. And there's a big difference between technically good and actually good.
@@whitewall5977 your right...now I've been playing for a bit over a year and those same people are even MORE IMPRESSED MWAHAHAHAHAHA
Depends how many years .
I've been playing for over 30 years, In my experience...
If you practice hard every day for 7 months, you can generally impress people who have been playing on and off for up to 3 years
beyond that... they shouldn't be impressed or .. they could be mildly suprised, but you shouldn't be teaching them anything by any stretch, you see up to 3 years is the mark at which a person either gives up or stays on forever
so.. that person who tells you they've been playing for 2 years, could be on the verge of giving up, which means they probably played on and off for 1 year then put the guitar down for 6 months then picked up for a month and now they have no passion left and here you come with all the passion in the world, thinking they played hard for 2 years where in fact it's maybe 1 year
if you stick with guitar and your'e still pumped after 3 years, You have nothing to worry about.
Just keep practicing mate
I've been playing guitar for 30 years. I've been in metal bands, progressive metal bands, acoustic 2 piece bands. I know absolutely no music theory what so ever. None of it makes any sense to me. But I still write my own songs and write solos. I don't know what notes I'm playing and the thing is I don't care. I do it all by ear and fret memorizing. I know myself and if I had to spend time trying to memorize theory I would not still be playing guitar. It wouldn't be fun anymore. The way I do guitar wouldn't work for alot of people but it works for me.
I stack cinder blocks with my bare feet while watching these videos. I have been doing that for a long time. Hey,could you do a video or two about 12 tone serialism or maybe Ron Jarzombek's variations on the 12 tone row technique? If you know of any other similar techniques,include those too. That would rule!
Bro what💀
@@CainGD swear I was gonna ask. There no comfortable way to make any suggestions as to wtf that shits going down feel me lol
@@CainGD what did he do damn
Just picked up a guitar and am starting out. Looks like I'll be watching a lot of your videos.
@@Juppy89 welcome aboard! Can we agree guitar is the greatest instrument?
bro lowkey looks like dumbledore
😂
😂😂😂😂he does
Youngbledore
Currently learning to dj and was tryna figure out how to transition between songs in different keys, thank you so much for this
Being a mostly Bass Player, seldom worried about music theory. But this does help when creating solos. Also most of this stuff, I recall from High School band.
Imagine thinking bass doesn't require music theory knowledge. Oh my sweet cherub
@@TheBanana93 well that is because we play 2 different styles of music. As Geezer Butler said in an interview, just copy whatever the lead does. As long as you know your scales, no problem.
However Bass is similar to the Drums. Read what the books state on those 2 instruments. Practice is needed, not Music Theory. That is primarily reserved for Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, and Clef note music.
Bass and Drums simply add a beat to the mix.
@@reverendlee7617 Scales are theory.
@@reverendlee7617id love to learn bass and drum but I’m already struggling with guitar and can’t understand music theory
One of the best musical lessons i've ever seen on RUclips or elsewhere
There are a LOT OF TERMS USED IN THIS THAT a noob will never understand so i guess this really isnt for a noob.
O man after this at first i was losing it but after writing it down I had a "lightbulb" moment and everything changed. This vid was game changer! Thanks Shred!
You are a great educator. Thank you for making this fun and easy to understand as well as keeping my attention with your epic personality.
Dumbledore always teaches the best... such a chill guy...
This video was actually really helpful
Thanks for introducing me to MT. Before this I wasn’t really motivated to play guitar and had one in my basement for 10 years. Tuned it up and now I’m vibing 😎
Dude the twinkle twinkle in minor sounds like a song that would be used in an epic movie trailer. Just hear me out 😂😂😂😂😂😂
So informative! Your use of education and humor is so well executed. Your information is clearly presented and the humor provides comic relief that the viewer didn't even know they needed. Your humorous personality is very likable. Thanks for the great lesson 😎
"Confirming your knowledge from as many different angles as possible makes it stronger" Hell yes dude. This is a great video, recommended to me by my cousin. He deserves a cut of the profits 👍🤭
Great video ! I have been playing bass for 10 years . Only self taught never learned theory only tabs . I am familiar with this stuff but this video made it super ez to understand . Start to finish great video man!
More effective than a 24 hour music theory course at my university
This help me and it was funny instead of boring but I actually learn something
Thank you for explain to me the biggest mystery in music theory and that is the intervals. I always thought a 5th was a fraction and explains why a 4th is not a quarter and a 2nd a half.
OMFG I’M STARTING TO SLOWLY BUT QUICKLY UNDERSTAND!! EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO CONNECT! THANK YOU SO MUCH
You should specify that those were the natural major (i.e. the Ionian mode) and natural minor (i.e. the Aeolian mode) so viewers who are unfamiliar with music theory don't become confused as they learn the other 5 diatonic major and minor scales (modes). Also, the circle of 5th is just confusing in general and should be taught after the modes. And fuck sight reading - the majority of the greatest rock and metal guitarists can't read. notation.
As a new guitarist with kinda 0 music theory knowledge and in the midst of watching this video, i had a stroke trying to read your comment.
Shred is shredded. He can do endless chinups and pushups. I am going to watch this video over and over because he's a great teacher too.
Bro how can there be music theory, it literally exist?
not all music exists yet, so there is much that is theoretical. But I agree, its not a comfortable term for most folks. "Theory" makes it sound like astrophysics.
best tutorial I found about this. thanks alot! very clear and simple
So Is B flat the same thing as A sharp ?
Yes
Enharmonic equivalent
Awesome! I'm so glad to be part of your evil lessons Sir. I just started today :)
I am in a good place when it comes to music theory today, but I wish I had a video like this when I was first starting to take it on many years ago. As a self taught musician, I spent years staying away from music theory and anything else that I deemed overly complicated, like reading and writing music. That, and the fact that I didn't think I needed it. I taught myself to play, I played extremely well, so for most years, I thought music theory and reading music was simply a huge waste of time. I also had many musician friends constantly telling me that I didn't need it. The problem with that advice was that I never stopped to consider that their of lack success could have been rooted in the fact that they had no knowledge of music theory. In other words, these people could have been somebody, they could have been contenders, but their lack of music theory stifled their growth and success!
After some years, it became clear that I could no longer avoid music theory because it was the only thing that would allow me to elevate to my next guitar level. I also felt that I wanted to do something different, learn something different, too.
I eventually learned that there is no greater thing in the world than a thirsty mind and lots of time on your hands! Still, at the time, a video like this would have made the process far easier for me. This is such a great video that I passed it along to my son in the hopes that he will take on music theory far earlier than I did. Like me, he is self-taught and he is good. I am hoping that he can elevate far more than I ever did!
gotta love the joint love for instruments between family, wish the best for the both of ya!
MAN, I don't know why, BUT 3 seconds into video, I liked it, subscribed, and felt the need to write this..
My favorite music theory topics are borrowed chords and augmented tri tones, what is all of your guys’
Dominant seventh's😎
If you look closely, there are actually only 3 of them, which makes them a portal to any key. I use them in my compositions a lot. Muhahahahaha
@@joshmastiff1128 Dominant sevenths are super rad, top 5 coolest music theory topic for sure in my book.
Key changes, I suppose. I love the way you can change the feel of a piece of music by not being afraid to change gears, you know? Not to mention, finding creative ways to switch between said keys is fun in itself!
I'm scared when it comes to this. I've been playing for years and I feel this will play a major role in what my goals are. Very intimidating stuff
Won’t even lie I just learned more in this video than I did in my last ten years of playing. Wow. Thank you :).
That’s amazing!
I can't belive he would finger A Minor at 4:20 like that
You just melted my face right through my skull bro.!..and holy freaking crescendo. Thank You for the blessing my friend .
4:07 "Start on the note" is in beat
Really nice to see a metalhead with a strong command of theory.
5:00 you explain what a minor second is, the distance between two notes half step away
you explain what a major second is, the distance between two notes a whole step away
But you don't explain what thirds are. You just talk about them like everyone knows everything.
exactly!
I'm at the step where I'm learning scales. They can be quite intimidating when you first start learning them. After watching this, you made it enjoyable and broke it down in a way that it's not as intimidating trying to learn them. When you start throwing out all the terms it's like triad, fith, sharp, flat, you're like what? But I dig your way of explaining it. Thanks for breaking it down to where its understandable