Music Theory - Identifying Notes/Whole Steps and Half Steps

Learning music theory for the electric guitar

What is Music Theory?

An explanation of what has been done musically and why it sounds good.

What letters are the notes in Music Theory?

The notes in music theory are represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

How many distinct notes are there in traditional Western Music?

12

What does “#” represent in Music Theory?

Sharp

What does “b” represent in Music Theory?

Flat

What note falls between notes A and B?

A# or Bb

What note falls between C and D?

C# or Db

What note falls between D and E?

D# or Eb

What note falls between F and G?

F# or Gb

What note is after G?

G# or Ab

What is a “half step”?

When a note is raised or lowered by one semitone. It is the smallest interval used in Western music, such as from C to C#.

What is a “whole step”?

When a note is raised or lowered by two semitones, such as from C to D.

What is an “interval”?

The distance between two notes.

What are “natural notes”?

The seven notes in the musical scale that are not altered by sharps or flats, specifically A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

When moving down up or down a single fret of the guitar, what step is taken?

A half step.

When moving up or down two frets of the guitar, what step is being taken?

A whole step.

When you move a note up a half step, what is being done to the note?

The note is sharpened.

When you move a note down a half step, what is being done to the note?

The note is flattened.

Where are there no notes between natural notes?

Between E and F, and B and C.