I'm new here, new to electric guitar. i was following along happily until I got to the video saying "These are the diatonic chords of a scale." I don't think you ever defined the term "diatonic." And what chords? Why? Huh, what happened? Then I couldn't understand anything Tyler said for the next three videos, I know you said "You might not absorb all this at once" but I am getting NOTHING. I can't even form questions. You said a song was in the key of A so we're going to play a G scale over it, what??? The explanation of modes makes no sense to me. How long should I keep trying if I can't understand any of it? Is this the only place to ask questions? It looks like no one answers them.
Ron Krenbrink
mmtrevino
I'm just getting in to the music theory again after not doing it since school over 16 years ago (never really understood it just wanted to play guitar).
My understanding of the diatonic chord is after a quick google.
What are Diatonic Chords? A chord which is diatonic is simply a chord built from notes of the key. In the key of C again (C, D, E, F, G, A and B), the chord C major (C, E, G) would be diatonic to the key of C because its 3 notes are part of the C major scale.
As for the playing a G scale over the song that is A (haven't got to this video yet) I presume this is one of the modes of the scale from the video 'The Major Scale: Three-Notes-per-String'.
If any one sees this correct me if I'm wrong.
mmtrevino
Hi D Scott,
I'd recommend starting at Music Theory: The Basics to get a firm grasp on what chords are and how they fit in to more advanced curriculums. I believe you may be in the Music Theory: Level 1 area, which would explain the diatonic chord verbiage. Alternatively, you may consider brushing up in the Beginners Corner section for a Master list of chords to build your repertoire before moving on. Hope this helps!
Best,
Tyler
Hi Tyler, thank you so much for writing back.
First, I love the quality of presentation and your thorough approach. I didn't want typical lessons where they go "here's a lick that Slash played" and "here are the chords to an AC/DC song." So I'm all on board for the theory.
Where I'm getting lost is in the application. Not at all to be rude, but when you teach, "Here are chords for the diatonic scale" I just have no idea why that is useful information, nor where the chords derive from.
I do want theory but I always want to apply it. In that same vein, I am not finding any exercises on the site. I'm struggling with the interface -- for example, I can't find this Forum at all on the phone app -- so am I overlooking exercises somewhere? Or are you assuming we grasp the implications of what you're teaching and we should invent our own exercises? Since I can't understand what you're trying to convey about how to know which mode, I can't really devise practice on my own.
I think I need just a bit more hand-holding. Help me over the speed bump?
I haven't gone through this entire course yet, but I did go to college for Trombone and Piano before diving into the guitar, so I can help to answer some of your questions.
The term "Diatonic Chords" refers to the set of chords derived from the scale/key you're using. For example, let's look at the C Major scale (it has no sharps/flats so it's easy to see/demonstrate theory concepts). The first chord (often indicated with a roman numeral I) is made of the notes C-E-G, the ii chord (lower case roman numeral to indicate a minor chord) is D-F-A, iii chord E-G-B, IV chord F-A-C, V chord G-B-D, vi chord A-C-E, and the vii° (diminished chord) B-D-F.
This information is useful because it gives you a shorthand to learning songs. Most songs will stick strictly to the diatonic chords of its key. And out of the songs that don't stick to the original key, most only go as far as to use chords that are diatonic to closely related keys. For example, a song in C Major might throw in a chord diatonic to C Minor. If your band member just wrote a new song and you both know the diatonic chords for the key it's in, you can quickly explain the chord progression by simply saying "I-V-vi-IV" or "I-vi-ii-V". In addition, knowing the diatonic chords for multiple keys will allow you to change a song to a different key. Let's say you want to play a song in the key of G, but your vocal range fits better in E. Knowing both sets of diatonic chords allows you to quickly play the song in a key that's more comfortable for you to sing in.
As far as applying the knowledge, perhaps you could try combining diatonic chords in different ways and see if you can find some familiar-sounding chord progressions (Hint: the two I've listed above are used in an extremely wide variety of songs). I would also highly recommend becoming familiar with the diatonic chords of the Mixolydian mode, the Rock genre is absolutely SATURATED with songs in the Mixolydian mode.
Does this help? I'm an absolute NERD for music theory, so I'll be happy to answer any other questions.
kennethmabus
mr mason james bateman-morris
mmtrevino