Music Basics

Music Basics

What Music Theory?

First the Definition, A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice.

So it's NOT conjecture, hypothesis, or speculation, it the facts... This IS how music works.

Knowing the Principles & Basics of Music are of immense value to ANY musician, regardless of their chosen instrument.

These fundamental principles serve as the very foundation upon which the art of music is built. Whether you play the piano, guitar, violin, flute, drums, or any other instrument, understanding these principles will undoubtedly enhance your musical journey and elevate your performances to new heights.

First and foremost, a solid grasp of the principles of music theory allows musicians to communicate effectively with one another. It's like having a common language among musicians. When you understand musical notation, rhythm, harmony, and scales, you can easily collaborate with other musicians, play in ensembles, or participate in bands. This shared knowledge fosters a deeper sense of unity and cohesion among artists, resulting in cohesive performances.

Mastering the principles of music theory enables musicians to comprehend the underlying structure of a piece of music. Whether you're playing a classical symphony, a jazz improvisation, or a contemporary pop song, you can analyze the chord progressions, identify key changes, and recognize musical patterns. This level of understanding empowers musicians to interpret pieces with creativity and emotional depth, breathing life into every note they play.

The Principles & Basics of Music are a priceless gift for any musician. They provide a common language for communication, a framework for expression, and a guide for exploration.

Music Theory for Ukulele

Music Theory for the Ukulele. Music Theory for Guitar, Music Theory for (insert your favorite instrument here). — STOP!!! — Music Theory is SIMPLY, as stated above, the Principles of Music and NOT for this or that instrument. — The application applies to a specific instrument.

Read That Sentence Again — You are applying theses principles to your favorite instrument and making adjustments and taking advantage of the unique capabilities and limitations of the ukulele. So, come along for one enjoyable ride while you explore your full potential, as a musician who plays the ukulele.

What about Street Theory? — Street Theory, also known as practical or informal music theory, refers to the understanding of music that is acquired through hands-on experience, informal learning, and real-life musical interactions rather than formal education. It is the practical knowledge that musicians and artists gain through playing in bands, jamming with others, attending live performances, and engaging in musical collaborations outside traditional academic settings. One, does have to know the local lingo of what terms might be used by. A lot of popular music comes from an oral tradition, without a lot of it being written down or formally taught.

Music Theory IS — The Principles of Music

A great place — to start is the Music Basics Series of Lessons . This series collects the individual lessons available, right here on LearningUkulele.com, related to the Principles of Music.

Here is a curated list of lessons, links, resources, etc regarding Music Theory — The Principles of Music.

There are only seven letters to name the notes and chords used in music. These are the first seven letters of the alphabet:

A B C D E F G

Memorize the above image(s), taking advantage of the piano's color-coded nature and notes that mover horizontal only (right and left only). They really come in handy, regardless of what instrument you're learning.
The Chromatic Scale: A A♯ B C C♯ D D ♯ E F F♯ G G♯ A A♯ B C`

Here is the Chromatic Scale, with Natural and Sharp Notes, along the C String (string three) of a ukulele in C Tuning, with C being the open string (Middle C on the piano):

Here is the Chromatic Scale, with Natural and Flat Notes, along the C String (string three) of a ukulele in C Tuning, with C being the open string (Middle C on the piano):

With SHARPS ♯:
A A♯ B C C♯ D D♯ E F F♯ G G♯

With FLATS ♭:
A B♭ B C D♭ D E♭ E F G♭ G A♭

Notice: BC & EF are the Natural Half-Steps/Semitones . They will always be adjacent frets on the same string. They are the smallest interval. Play FE over and and over and you have a big element in the Jaws movie theme. Especially if on a piano using the lower (left) end of the piano.

A Few Principles of Music Lessons to Get Started With

• Whole Steps and Half Steps Explained
• The Chromatic Scale
• Enharmonic Equivalents
• The Major Scale
• Key Signatures and the Circle of Fifths and Fourths
• Ear Training • Turns out it's more of getting the finger and or voice to follow the ear. Simple to start and all the work is getting it to come out.
• Chord Spelling — Triads
• Chord Spelling — An Alternate Approach
• Metronome — Playing in Time • EVERYONE is responsible for playing in time. We all have some sense of time and an internal sense of time. We just need to get everything synced up.
• Glossary of Music Terms • A good place to start and get to know the lingo of music. Theses are the terms you'll encounter time and tine again as your explore music on the Ukulele.

Guest Lessons by Chuck Anderson

Chuck Anderson is one of the most articulate and knowledgeable musicians I've ever had the experience to meet. I studied with Chick for many, many years and absorbed all that he had to offer.

• Demystifying Cut Time by Chuck Anderson
• Practice, Play and Rules (Theory) - The Three Words by Chuck Anderson