The modern western musical scale consists of 12 tones (the 13th tone is an “octave” of the first tone) These tones are denoted with the letters A through G as well as the symbols “sharp,” “flat,” and “natural.” For example the 12 tones could be written as:
A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#
The next tone in the preceding scale would be “A” again. This second “A” is called an “octave” of the first “A”. Mathematically, this means that the second “A” note is vibrating at twice the frequency as the first “A” note. The result of this is that the two notes sound the same except that the second one has a higher pitch. This will make more sense as the tutorial progresses. Music works in a very mathematical fashion. (as strange as that may seem) A “Note” with a “pitch” is simply a sound wave traveling through the air at a certain frequency. The way that these waves interact with each other lead us to what we call music.
The most important thing to understand is the fact that there are 12 tones and they repeat after the 12th tone. (after the G# comes the A). The study of musical theory is a vast and expansive subject matter; the purpose of this is to give you enough background to continue the tutorial.
The concept of “musical steps” is important as well. A half step in musical terms refers to one note that follows another note (or one fret difference on the guitar). A and A# are an example of a half step. A whole step in musical terms refers to a difference of two tones (two frets on the guitar). A and B are examples of a whole step. Be careful when figuring whole steps versus half steps. Some musical letter tones do not have these “sharp” tones in between them. For example A and B are a whole step apart, but B and C are only a half step apart (as are E and F). If this seems confusing, it will become clear shortly.
Even it is not as exiting, as learning to play, music theory lessons are vital part of educating process. You have to understand and learn to read music sheets if you are serious about playing.
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