Ken Byng wrote:Mick - you are certainly not on your own in this matter. Virtually all of my pupils when they come to me have never taken the time out to learn the basics. Scales and where the notes are on each string up the neck. It is very well worth while going through the labourious and repetitive task of learning major and minor scales, plus the notes on each string. Also where the basic chords are - major, minor, augmented, diminished, suspended, moving on to 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, major 7ths, minor 6ths, minor 7ths, m7b5 etc.
I am doing this through the Circle of fifths and its now slowly coming together.
The etc is referring to the many moire chords not listed. once you get the theory its not that daunting.
There are 3 groups
Major - 3rd and 7th (6th chords can fall into here)
Minor - b3rd and b7th (m7b5 and dim7)
Dominant - 3rd and b7th (b9 chords can fall into here)
That's it. All other notes above the 7th are simply extensions and add colour or are simply used for the melody note. I did say a while back learning your fretboard is important. So good on you for finally realising it.
Buddy Emmons couldn't sight read and when put into Quincy Jones' Studio session to record his Steel Guitar Jazz Album quickly realised that not reading music is a huge problem when relating ideas or working with others. So I am taking his advice and learning it slowly but surely.
You can join our Steel Guitar Jazz Theory study group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1073808516035100/?ref=bookmarksThen all you need to do is by the Book and catch up, we are currently on Chapter 3. Every exercise is recorded. Post your versions of each exercise. We are on track to finish end of next year.