Why Musical INTERVALS Are Confusing [Worst-Named Music Theory Concept]
Property damage is the last thing you would expect to happen when you are learning music theory, right?
Unless you are around me.
I’ve become famous for my - erm - “animated” ways of learning music theory.
Especially when I was younger whenever I got frustrated I was prone to occasional fits of book-throwing rage. It was the book’s fault, I swear!
… ok, maybe chalk this up to my (then) young age and obvious immaturity?
Oh who am I kidding. I still do it, and I’m not “younger” anymore.
And yes, I’ve been known to hit various objects with my voluminous projectiles…
… at least two reading lamps , one vase, one computer monitor…
(one of the lamps can still be seen in some of my older YouTube videos. Pre-accident of course)
… and in at least one occasion I left a dent in the wall.
Ok, the wall was not really built to withstand a high-speed “Harmonielehre” attack, and the book had quite a heft to it… but still, I’s say I have quite a good throwing arm.
“Be passionate about what you do” they say. They never warn you about how you are going to justify it to your wife…
So, you see, I do understand when people write me and say they are frustrated about music theory. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, sold the t-shirt to raise the money to repair the wall…
One of the things that I found - and still find - the most maddening is the names we use for musical intervals.
You know… major 3rd, perfect 5th, and all that nonsense.
If I knew 20 years ago what I explain in this video, it would have saved me tons of frustration.
It will probably be the same for you after you watch it:
If you have any doubts about intervals, here you will find an easy-peasy introductory video on them:
And here’s a few tricks to play these intervals on guitar and create interesting music:
If you want to learn music theory in a logical and systematic way… and also be able to use it to make great music on your guitar…
… then check out the Complete Chord Mastery guitar course. Don’t wait!
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