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Steve_A's avatar

Music Theory: Can you help me better understand Intervals and note relationships?

Asked by Steve_A (5130points) March 9th, 2010

I have basic knowledge of building chords and intervals but one thing I noticed that is important in creating moods,melodies and what have you.. is the next interval.

Is my thinking right that if you really want to create a certain theme or mood you have to be aware of how the last note, current note and the next note you choose will make it sound like?

Like for example someone might say just play a major scale or this chord progression for lead but that gives you some range to choose from if I played for example C , B , G in that order it creates something different from G , C , B….and so on…but they are the same notes and in key.

How important is the order and space of notes?

Can you explain more to me please?

Do all intervals have THAT unique sound regardless of the key?

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8 Answers

Axemusica's avatar

http://guitargrimoire.com/ Explains the differences in modes by changes in the 12 notes. I have this book and constantly skill up on different modes. I can’t even tell you how many different modes this book has. Although, this might help explain the demonic looking symbol on that page.

Lately I’ve been fond of Hungarian Major in the key of C

gurnblansten's avatar

My advice is to try some practical experiments to arrive at some answers for yourself. Sit down with your instrument and just run through some intervals over different chords,different keys etc. listening carefully to the changes in mood, colour and so forth.

JeanPaulSartre's avatar

@Axemusica nailed it – also, it’s not a bad idea if you have access to a piano/keyboard to do your theory work there, because it’s already “correctly” set up. Guitar is unfortunately a miserably difficult instrument to get theory concepts on due to the compromises in tuning and odd string to string intervals.

wundayatta's avatar

Let me second @JeanPaulSartre‘s suggestion for using a piano. I play trumpet, and theory was nearly impossible for me to understand. But when I had kids, I had them learn piano, and I realized that you just see the theory on the keyboard. Suddenly things made sense.

stratman37's avatar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_training#Interval_recognition

lays out some familiar examples of intervals that might help.

Steve_A's avatar

I thought modes are just the major scale..?

JeanPaulSartre's avatar

Modes usually refers to the 7 diatonic scales

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