#1- the Guitar is tuned to mostly Fourths. You probably already know what a Fourth sounds like, you just can’t put a name(and the corresponding Interval or distance) on it. Open E-A, A-D, D-G and B-E are all steps of a FOURTH. The only 2 strings that are not a Fourth apart are G-B(3rd-2nd). Understanding the relationship of Fourths and Fifths will unlock the secrets of the Fingerboard!
#2- Controlling Consonance and Dissonance in your Solos, Progressions and Chord phrasings. Knowing which notes don’t fit, is as important as the notes that do fit. Learning which notes fit in each key.
#3- How many Sharps and Flats in each key.
#4- Which keys share Key Signatures, eg. C and Am. Also understanding “Relative minors”
#5- Understanding Chord progressions and the relationship of Chords. The Circle is very helpful to songwriters.
Posted on January 21, 2011
0