Music Theory COMPLETE course - EVERYTHING you need to know

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of music theory, as presented in the course by Woochia - Charly Sauret. It is designed for musicians and enthusiasts who want to deepen their understanding of music theory, covering essential concepts from consonances to advanced techniques like reharmonization. By following these steps, you will gain a structured knowledge of music theory that can enhance your music creation and appreciation.

Step 1: Understand Consonances and Dissonances

• Definition: Consonances are notes that sound pleasant together, while dissonances create tension.
• Practical Tip: Experiment by playing different note combinations on an instrument. Notice how consonant intervals (like thirds and fifths) feel stable, while dissonant intervals (like seconds and sevenths) create a need for resolution.

Step 2: Explore Harmonics

• Basics: Harmonics are the overtones that accompany a fundamental note.
• Application: When tuning your instrument, listen for harmonics to achieve a richer sound.
• Practical Exercise: Sing or play a note and listen for its harmonics, trying to isolate them.

Step 3: Learn About Temperaments

• Definition: Temperament refers to the tuning systems used to adjust intervals.
• Common Types: Equal temperament and just intonation are popular systems.
• Tip: Understand how different temperaments affect the sound of chords and melodies.

Step 4: Master Scales and Modes

• Scales: Begin with major and minor scales; these are the building blocks of melodies.
• Modes: Explore modes (Dorian, Phrygian, etc.) for different musical flavors.
• Practice: Play each scale and mode, noting the unique sound each one produces.

Step 5: Understand Chords and Triads

• Triads: Learn the structure of major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads.
• Application: Use triads to create harmonies in your music.
• Exercise: Construct triads on different root notes to familiarize yourself with their sound.

Step 6: Expand into Seventh Chords

• Definition: Seventh chords add an additional note to triads, creating richer harmonies.
• Types: Explore major, minor, dominant, and half-diminished seventh chords.
• Practical Tip: Incorporate seventh chords into songs to enhance emotional depth.

Step 7: Study Cadences

• Purpose: Cadences signal the end of a phrase or section in music.
• Types: Learn about perfect, plagal, deceptive, and half cadences.
• Exercise: Practice creating cadences in your compositions to establish clear musical endings.

Step 8: Explore Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor

• Harmonic Minor: Characterized by a raised seventh note, creating tension.
• Melodic Minor: Ascends with a raised sixth and seventh, but descends like the natural minor.
• Practice: Create melodies using these scales to notice their unique emotional qualities.

Step 9: Learn the Circle of Fifths

• Definition: A visual representation of the relationships between the 12 tones of the chromatic scale.
• Application: Use the circle to find key signatures and chord progressions.
• Tip: Practice transitioning between keys to enhance your adaptability in songwriting.

Step 10: Understand Modulations

• Definition: Modulation is changing from one key to another within a piece of music.
• Types: Explore common modulations and their emotional effects.
• Exercise: Experiment with modulating in your compositions for variety.

Step 11: Explore Substitutions and Borrowings

• Substitutions: Replace chords with others to create new sounds.
• Borrowings: Use chords from the parallel major or minor key.
• Tip: Experiment with these techniques to add complexity to your music.

Step 12: Dive into Advanced Concepts

• Napolitan 6th, Picardy 3rd, and Faurean Cadence: Explore these unique harmonic techniques.
• Andalusian Cadence, sus4 & sus2 chords: Understand their applications in creating tension and resolution.
• Practice: Incorporate these chords into your music for added interest.

Step 13: Master Voicing and Embellishing Tones

• Voicing: Refers to the arrangement of notes in a chord.
• Embellishing Tones: Add notes for decoration.
• Exercise: Experiment with different voicings of the same chord to see how it changes the feel of your music.

Step 14: Understand Rhythm Notation and Time Signatures

• Rhythm Notation: Learn how to read and write various rhythmic patterns.
• Time Signatures: Familiarize yourself with common time signatures (4/4, 3/4, etc.).
• Practice: Clap out different rhythms to develop a solid sense of timing.

Step 15: Explore Polyrhythm and Polymeter

• Definitions: Polyrhythm involves two or more contrasting rhythms played simultaneously, while polymeter uses different time signatures.
• Application: Use polyrhythms to add complexity to your music.
• Tip: Start slow and gradually increase speed as you become comfortable.

Step 16: Utilize Cheat Sheets

• Resources: Access music theory cheat sheets for quick reference.
• Where to Find: Available on Woochia's website and Patreon.
• Tip: Keep these resources handy while practicing to reinforce your learning.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will build a solid foundation in music theory that can enhance your musical skills. Continue to practice and apply these concepts in your music creation. For further learning, consider accessing additional resources and tutorials available through Woochia's website and Patreon. Happy music-making!