Music Theory 101

Define a sine wave.

A sine wave is what one frequency sounds like. It is purely harmonic.

What determines that change of a sine wave to sawtooth and then to square?

The addition of more overtones/harmonics changes the quality of the wave.

What is the formula for a major scale?

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

What is the formula for a minor scale?

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

What is the definition of a relative minor?

A minor scale that shares the same notes of a particular major scale.

How do you determine a major scale’s relative minor?

The relative minor of a major scale starts on the sixth note of that scale, or a minor third below the root note.

What is the formula for an IONIAN MODE (Major)?

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

What is the formula for a DORIAN MODE?

W-H-W-W-W-H-W

What is the formula for a PHRYGIAN MODE?

H-W-W-W-H-W-W

What is the formula for a LYDIAN MODE?

W-W-W-H-W-W-H

What is the formula for a MIXOLYDIAN MODE?

W-W-H-W-W-H-W

What is the formula for a AEOLIAN MODE?

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

What is the formula for a LOCRIAN MODE?

H-W-W-H-W-W-W

What do chord names depend on?

The root note, how many notes are in it, and the intervals that separate the notes.

How is a major chord formed?

Adding a Major Third + Minor Third to a root note.

What is the MAJOR THIRD interval?

Defined as 2 tones between two notes, which is 4 half steps.

What is the PERFECT FIFTH interval?

Defined as 3.5 tones between two notes, which is 7 Half steps.

How is a minor chord formed?

Adding a Minor 3rd + Major 3rd to a root note,

What is a chord inversion?

Expressing a chord in a different way by changing the order of which the notes go in. First inversion plays the third as the lowest note, second inversion plays the fifth as the lowest note.

What is a power chord?

The root and the fifth played together, omiting the third. Commonly used by guitar players.

How do you form an augmented chord?

Adding a Major Third + Major Third to the root note. Raising the fifth of a major chord by one semitone.

How is a diminished chord formed?

Adding a Minor Third + Diminished 5th to the root note, Lowering the fifth of a minor chord by one semitone,

What is ‘diatonic”?

A scale with seven notes or doing something within the scale/key that is being used.

What are the scale degrees and their chord type for a MAJOR SCALE?

MAJ (I), MIN (II), MIN (III), MAJ (IV), MIN (VI), and DIM (VII)

What are extensions? How do you know what the 9th, 11th, and 13th are if there are only seven notes in a scale?

Extensions are anything other than the root, third, and fifth that are added to a chord, The 9th, 11th, and 13th are the same as the 2nd, 4th, and 6th degrees of a scale.