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What to study before Chord symbols

The notation that names a chord by its root and quality, and how to read its extensions and alterations. Below, the concepts that come before, in the order in which one explains the next. Signed in, you see the same path minus what you already hold: your path.

  1. Properties of sound

    The four properties every musical sound has at once: duration, intensity, pitch and timbre.

    Level 0has practice

  2. Note

    The seven pitch names, and the sign that puts one of them on the page.

    Level 1

  3. Tone and semitone

    The smallest distance Western music uses, and the whole tone built from two of them.

    Level 1has practicelesson Notes have names, and the names have a rule (First steps in theory)

  4. Interval

    The distance between two sounds, counted by note names, melodic or harmonic, simple or compound.

    Level 1lesson The distance between two notes (First steps in theory)

  5. Interval quality

    Perfect, major, minor, augmented and diminished: what separates two intervals that share a number.

    Level 1has practicelesson The distance between two notes (First steps in theory)

  6. Triads

    Three-note chords stacked in thirds, and the four qualities that result.

    Level 2has practicelesson Three notes, four chords (First steps in theory)

  7. Seventh chords

    The fourth note stacked on the triad, and the five qualities the repertoire actually uses.

    Level 3has practicelesson Seventh chords, and the tritone that pulls (Harmony for people who play)

  8. Chord symbols

    The notation that names a chord by its root and quality, and how to read its extensions and alterations.

    Level 3lesson Reading a chord symbol (First steps in theory)

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