An Introduction to Music Theory & Jamming
Course Description
This course will provide a fundamental understanding of the basics of Music Theory and a thorough introduction to Harmony. Furthermore, this course sets out to bridge the gap between understanding Music Theory and applying it. Below, we will detail how this will be accomplished.
A goal for many of us is to have the ability to sit in with other musicians and be able to play without limits. But, often times in Jams, we find ourselves playing the same parts as others (i.e. strumming basic chords).
This course deep dives into teaching you how to add to the music. We’re going to examine two playing approaches in this course: Rhythm and Lead. The rhythm section will teach you methods for creating harmony. You will learn how to play chords in different positions and how to alter them to create a colorful sound. The lead section will teach you two approaches for soloing over rhythm. Approach one will be scale based, while approach two will cover playing changes.
This course uses lessons from our Concept Series and breaks down How and Why they work. What this means, is that you will not only be learning the concepts to advance your rhythm and solo playing, but you will also be applying the concepts in performance pieces.
* Note: 4 of the lessons are completely FREE with Basic Membership! Sign up for Basic Membership to sample this course and all of our other FREE Lessons!
| Module 1 | An Introduction to Music Theory | |
|---|---|---|
| In this module, we will cover the reasons for developing your knowledge of the fretboard and why understanding music theory is vital to increasing your musicianship. We will also be covering the fundamentals of music theory that will be required for this course. | ||
| Unit 1 | Course Overview (FREE LESSON) | |
| Unit 2 | Tackling The Fretboard (FREE LESSON) | |
| Unit 3 | The Major Scale: The Parent Scale from which All is Derived | |
| Unit 4 | Intervals: The Building Blocks Of Melody and Harmony | |
| Unit 5 | Chord Theory: Triads and Seventh Chords | |
| Module 2 | Rhythm Playing | |
| In this module, we will learn how to move chord shapes up the neck to create a different chord; how to alter chords to add color; and how to add rhythms to differentiate chord harmonies from the base rhythm. | ||
| Unit 1 | The CAGED Method: Playing Chords in 5 Different Positions (FREE LESSON) | |
| Unit 2 | Applying Rhythms to Chords to Create a Contrasting Overlay | |
| Unit 3 | Performance Piece: Concept Lesson EP002 | |
| Unit 4 | Altering Chords to Create Color and Harmony | |
| Module 3 | Lead Playing | |
| In this module, we will examine two approaches for soloing. Approach one will be scale based, while approach two will cover playing changes. | ||
| Unit 1 | Approach 1: Soloing in a Scale (FREE LESSON) | |
| Unit 2 | Analyzing Concept Lesson EP006: Soloing with Major and Minor Pentatonics | |
| Unit 3 | Performance Piece: Concept Lesson EP006 | |
| Unit 4 | Approach 2: Soloing Over The Changes | |
| Unit 5 | Analyzing Concept Lesson EP005: Playing Changes Over The Blues | |
| Unit 6 | Performance Piece: Concept Lesson EP005 | |
| Unit 7 | Course Wrap Up | |