What is Music Theory? Why Learn it?

This video is designed to help you understand the basics of music theory, why it's useful, and some examples of how to use it. We'll start out with a basic explanation of what a scale is using the most basic intervals: whole steps and half steps. Then I'll show how to make a scale using the WWHWWWH major scale formula. From there, I give a brief description of how the circle of fifths works, what intervals are and what their names are, and why different scales use sharps and flats.

If you like this stuff, check out my course "Music Theory for Guitar" on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/52...

Then I cover how chords are made with stacks of major and minor thirds within the key, and how the chords in every major key will always be the same: Major, Minor, Minor, Major, Major, Minor, Diminished

Then we write a chord progression using those chords, with a discussion about how and why that progression is "in a key."

Then we discuss how chords can have different voicings, providing an endless amount of variety to your chord progressions.

Then we get into recording software and write something using drums, bass, guitar, and keys. I really try to emphasize that every instrument is playing the chord progression, just with a different approach.

Then I answer some questions from the live chat. If you missed this one, make sure you click the bell icon so you don't miss the next one!

If you want to ask me anything on a livestream every week, consider joining my Patreon:   / scottpauljohnson