Basic Music Theory Part 2
Basic Music Theory Part 2
Basic Music Theory Part 2
PART 2
We present music as a twelve-note system. But, as we just said, we use only seven letters
as note names, thus leaving five other notes that need names. We refer to these notes as
either raised (“sharp” and symboled “#”) or lowered (“flat” and symboled “b”) versions of
letter-named notes. For example, the note that lies a half step above A and also a half
step below B (between A and B) can be referred to as as either A# (raised A) or Bb
(lowered B).
And the note that lies between E and F? There isn’t one. You knew that too, probably. So,
does that mean E-sharp is the same note as F? Yes, it is indeed, and nobody cares. We
barely cared about sharps and flats in general. Moving on now. Got places to be…
What’s a chord?
A chord is a group of notes sounded together; “harmony” again. For example C, E, G, B,
What is a triad?
interval of a third between the first two notes, and also between the second two notes.
More simply, just take stacks of three notes and use every other letter name. ACE, BDF,
CEG, DFA, EGB, FAC, and GBD. That’s a bunch of triads. Some of which are major and
some of which are minor. Ah crap, here we go.