Just can’t wait to see what’s coming next? Here’s a partial list of upcoming Music Theory Forum topics that should get the juices flowing:
- Chord substitution and re-harmonization
- Using backward cycles for composition and re-arranging
- Tri-tone chord substitution principles
- Applying the diminished chord substitution principle against all chord types
- The difference between chord inversions and re-voicing
- Why I believe there are only two types of chords in all of music – what are they?
- Why I believe there are only two fingering positions on the guitar to play every chord, arpeggio, scale, or mode in music. What are they?
- How to memorize the most complex chord progressions in one take
- The Music Matrix: learn how seeing beyond the alpha names will take you to a deeper understanding of music – a world where there are no names for chords, scales, modes, or arpeggios
- What’s going on in the mind of an improviser while he is improvising – and what’s not going on?
- Breaking out of ruts and patterns in your solos
- Is there a such thing as over-practicing or over-rehearsing?
- The one thing you need to be doing to become a better musician
by Al Dinardi
10 May 2011 at 21:58
Yes David (or Neo) the Music Matrix has you – it is all around you – there is no escaping it, and it is coming to a Music Theory Forum blog soon – so stay tuned. Meanwhile, I look forward to performing music again with you soon hopefully – you have such a great, creative style – working on some gigs with you in mind.
by David Sprunger
10 May 2011 at 21:31
Hey Al – It was sure great to play with you last month. Sandi was telling me about your music theory forum here – your bit on the music matrix has me curious for sure! See you
by Al Dinardi
06 Oct 2010 at 07:20
Thanks for your interest.
I always advocate using your ear as the final determiner of sounds, particularly when it comes to chord voicings. So, regarding question 1, I add or leave out the 9th when playing 11th chords to suit the situation / arrangement I am playing at the time – as is generally practiced by most musicians. Mainly for the reason of opening up the chord in situations you don’t want it to sound too cluttered.
2) The Tritone is found in all dominant 7th chords – it is the very presence of the tritone interval that give dominant 7th chords that “sound”. You hear it a lot in blues styles – but any style of music that includes dominant chords it is there. In those chords, the tritone is the interval space between the 3rd and the 7th. In fact, you can play an entire 12 bar blues chord progression with just those two notes and a bass player. They are essential to the tonality (sound) of the chord, whereas the root and 5th are only essential to the pitch. i.e. the only difference between a major 7th chord and a dominant 7th chord is the 3rd and 7th – they both contain the exact same root and 5th. So, while roots and 5ths determine pitch, 3rds and 7th relationships determine type or “quality”. Regarding it not sounding very pleasing – you may change your mind on that when you learn more chords and voicings. It’s like when I was a kid I hated certain vegetables – but now I love them. Miles Davis used to say there is no such thing as a bad note. I would add, given the right context – any note, interval, or chord can sound beautiful.
The other topics are on their way. Unfortunately, I’ve had an illness since June and have not felt up to posting much. But, finally getting better – and am excited to kick it back up – I have tons to share – just scratching the surface so far – so hang on – it’s coming soon.
Thanks again,
Al
by Jim Redd
05 Oct 2010 at 20:20
Hi Al,
Thank you for providing this blog! This is all very useful information! I especially appreciate your take on the two fingering positions; to the left and to the right of the root. I have several questions:
1) I looked up an eleventh chord I have played in the past. Besides the root it used the 7th, 9th, and 11th notes. Is that a common way the chord is played? I like the sound of it very much. Your example showed it with the root, 5th, 7th, and 11th.
2) What is the function of the tritone? I understand that it splits the octave in half, but the sound of the interval by itself is not very pleasing at all! Where is it used?
3) How soon will you be posting on the various topics listed under “Future Topics”? All of the topics look very interesting, but I am especially interested in
“How to memorize the most complex chord progressions in one take”
“The two types of chords”
“The two fingering positions on the guitar” (More on what you described already?)
“What’s going on in the mind of an improviser?”
“The one thing you need to be doing to become a better musician” (This is very intriguing!)