Knowing This Changed My Life As A Guitar Player!

Once I knew this secret to understanding keys in music it made all the difference in learning and writing songs. Free PDF Below In Description.
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[@Mike-rw2nh]

I feel as though I have just downloaded Musical Jujitsu from the matrix. Stellar content in the extreme.

[@paulpanamarenko]

Same

[@forresta65]

one of the clearest explanations I have seen, thanks

[@rickysguitar]

Thank you!

[@Blueninja3]

That was fantastic I must have rewatched it 5 times already!!

[@banjomark9900]

You are such a good teacher. I always feel happier & dare I say smarter after your lessons. Which is as you know generally thought to be impossible for a banjo player ! Thanks Ricky 👏

[@BobsClique]

After attempting to learn it for 25 years, I finally understand it today. Many thanks, Ricky!

[@EkhoProductions]

I'm just getting back into music again after 20 years and I had forgot so many things. Your videos have been a great help to bring myself back up to par on basic theory and chord construction. Thank you

[@standbyme6395]

20 yrs away myself...just came back to it and did a video series myself...its good to get a different perspective such as his...good stuff

[@adriancoppin977]

Sir, you are bloody brilliant. I’m 68 years young and I’m learning more on theory from you than all the books and other vids I’ve read/watched. THANK YOU.

[@timothyoo7]

Thank you Rick! I'm 57 and picking up the guitar again after 30+ years. I've found the theory the most difficult part. But this is the best way I've seen it all explained. Nice and simple!

[@Mile8461]

Brilliant!

[@c5back9]

Old guy here trying to learn guitar and this lesson is awesome! Thanks so much!

[@toibis]

When you explain it suddenly seems really clear. Well done, thank you

[@DouglasFouts]

Good lesson! The "aha" moment this created for me was that since the guitar is (mostly) tuned to 4ths the major thirds are each pushed back into that stair-step shape. Thus creating all those CAGED shapes Brilliant! Thanks so much.

[@rickysguitar]

I like how you called it a stair step. A great visual tool!

[@paulmitchell5349]

Pen and paper. Love it. Every Good Band Deserves Fans and Cash.

[@danconverse6553]

Yep. The circle and vertical diagram are much better to work with than the horizontal linear diagram. Thanks, good job!

[@timemerson2691]

Love the way you put it. Clear as can be. Very helpful information. Thank you and I’m glad to see you back making videos.

[@rickysguitar]

Eyup Tim! This ruddy book has taken an age write lol! Got a backlog of videos I need to get out just so I can stop thinking about them haha!

[@Drainage_Eli]

You are truly the best at making music theory understandable. By the way I love the spiral book I just bought from you. There is nothing like it in the stores.

[@TroyLane33]

Brilliant lesson, Ricky. Thank you!

[@arnaldonaturist4967]

Great format teaching!!!

[@rosammageorge987]

One of the clearest explanation I have ever seen. Excellent one.

[@fouadaitahmad]

Thank You so much for this

[@WoodyPhillips]

Brilliant. First time I have understood this. THANKS!

[@geralynpalacol9295]

EXCELLENT!!!🎸🎸🎸. This is Reeeeeeeally AWESOME!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@thunderace4588]

Thank you for making this helpful and easy-to-understand music theory lesson, and thank you for making the Ultimate KZbin Guitar Lessons Compilation book for us Ricky.

[@jimjohnson4481]

Good stuff , Ricki keeps this old brain working 👍🏻

[@contactlight8079]

Whoa...bravo.

[@joev4483]

Brilliant!! Thank you...

[@harrynutz4550]

Your teaching style is really relating to me , brilliant

[@jojogarcia6327]

I just bought your book as a support for your great channel. Thanks!

[@rexbenemerito1943]

Another splendid lesson. Thanks again Ricky. I bought your book and it has awesome guitar lessons.

[@MoeJoe974]

Excellent lesson. I’ve recently stumbled upon your lessons, having been with another excellent online instructor. It’s great to have another viewpoint on the same musical material. Thank you very much, I just purchased your KZbin lessons book and am looking forward to it’s delivery. 😊

[@standbyme6395]

Thank you for doing these and giving a different perspective...no matter how much we know there is always something else to learn...

[@PaulJonesy]

Great explanation, wish I’d had this kind of lesson 40 years ago!

[@66macman]

Really great video an eye opener

[@benjaminlinus7116]

Mate your pneumonics are the best on utube! Outstanding lessons that have made understanding music theory fun.

[@Lillywright501]

Love it I like how Uve shown the column and added the whole steps etc I enjoyed 👍👍👍👍ps enjoying the book

[@brubeck1029]

This is really helpful for an older learner so thanks Getting to understand but know my fretboard familiarity and chord shapes so awkward that I've got some work to do to start really applying all of this. No surprises there but appreciate the new insight this is providing.👍

[@taggart8]

EyyUp that Yorkshire guitar maverick has unlocked more knowledge to the guitar masses.Immense Rick.Can I get Rick’s new book in Spiral form in the UK.

[@rickysguitar]

Cheers buddy! Yes you can get the spiral version at rickysguitar.com/spiral That takes you to Lulu. It says it's a paperback but it also says coil bound too!

[@rickysguitar]

Got some superb fretboard videos coming up for you :) Thanks for watching! Means a ton!

[@brubeck1029]

@@rickysguitar great, look forward to navigation and practice tips for those with old gnarly hands and diminishing brain capacity ...I'm there.

[@clydesimmons2588]

Great lesson

[@jerryabc2000]

Great explanation

[@davidcroppermusic5200]

Absolute GOLD! I consider myself to be an intermediate player but don't have much theory knowledge. I am just getting into all this now as I want to understand exactly what I am playing and why. Your lessons and your way of teaching is second to none. Thank you from a fellow Northerner!

[@mogouk]

Great info Ricky, Subbed :)

[@nbenning25]

Enjoy your explanations and style. Reminds me of working out algebra problems in high school … Good stuff!

[@SuperRingoffire1]

Good man thank you for your great explanation! 👏👍

[@TagliaTellyTimTysonShort]

You are fantastic - so clear so concise so useful. Subscibed.Thanks

[@carsgunsandguitars]

very good, thanks

[@landrafter]

Thanks so much, man. I still got to watch this a few more times, but its the first time Ive said "Oh, O.K. That's how that works" Ive been playing guitar for 30 years and you've helped me more today than anyone in years. You rock.

[@dankmazzi2376]

Sir thank you for your content the lessons are clear and easy to understand thank you from Fla. ✌🤘

[@IndusRush]

Thanks for these great explanations. You’re a great teacher and make the logic of music understandable to thick b*******ds like me. Knock out stuff!

[@johnandrews6725]

This was a very clear to way to follow just need to study it properly thank for your excellent work

[@rickysguitar]

You're very welcome John! Make sure you do!

[@kingz42]

New subscriber ! Great video :)

[@citizensarmed4182]

Great great music tutorial channel. I subscribed. And I'm gonna donate too

[@pmaz-11]

The background subliminal tune in the audio is a calming touch.

[@sullycliftona888]

He’s a brilliant teacher -I owe him a drink 🥃 to .. as I pro him a Xmas 🎅 drink threw pay pal or whatever. Unfortunately I’ve spent money on Korg and synths /etc .. but that’s good because all his stuff is true n plain .. invaluable because of music and it’s universal language.. it’s being spread to my neighbours at volume stupid. Sometimes ..

[@hellvetic]

Congrets bro👍

[@Giovy-Perez]

GEM!

[@Missile_Command]

11:51 interesting this is the first time I've heard the virtues of having only one third in a chord

[@michaelsparks6084]

Really learning to how to Fish, just bought your book Ricky! Pure Gold! ; )

[@rickysguitar]

Fantastic to hear Michael! I super appreciate your support :)

[@ahmrammal]

Am enjoying every single video :) after playing for almost 28 years the little hacks you mention are diamond info :) that gets stuck in the head Hahahah

[@ArunBenedict]

Quality content. Subscribed!

[@rickysguitar]

Welcome aboard!

[@ArunBenedict]

@@rickysguitar thank you!

[@downhill240]

I just subscribed!

[@specialroy6087]

Center C...1,3,5 is triad chord.... the sixth is relative minor..

[@hrothgar2002]

Great lesson Ricky! Is the spiral-bound book edition available anywhere in UK ( doesnt appear to be so on uk Amazon!) as I would prefer that version if possible as it has obvious advantages! Many thanks!

[@aretejamodi]

I went to Lulu but it doesn't offer the spiral. When will it be back in stock?

[@kevindick7485]

Nice presentation sir . 08/31/2022

[@neilbeacher17]

Good video - thanks. One thing that I felt was missing was how you made the jump to keys other than C. You just put the sharps in with no reference to the major scale pattern of TTSTTTS

[@rickysguitar]

I address that in another video. Gotta watch them all!

[@maybeyoureright4334]

I also need handwriting lessons on the next lesson...

[@RonMaxfield]

Hay Ricky, this is more a question than a comment. I'm teaching a 7 year old girl some things on the piano, although I don't play the piano, I'm a 50 year guitar vet. Within the past 4 years I've learned a lot about music theory. I know kids like secrets, so I told her there's a secret to making a major chord on the piano, I call it the 4 3 secret. Place your right thumb on the letter of the chord you want to make, then starting with the next note count up 4 keys or notes. This is where your indexed finger go'es. Then count up 3 notes and this is where your ring finger go'es. Then to make a minor chord count 3 4. So, does that sound right to you? Thanks Ricky for all the super videos. Boy if they had the internet when I was a KID, I might have picked guitar with Chet Atkins. 🎸 🤪

[@seed_of_the_woman]

why is there rub between the thirds? 👑 david

[@jamesnelson1443]

Where do the SHARPS & FLATS come from???

[@paulzuccarello8026]

How to calculate a pot raise in limit poker

[@thereareplaces]

Great lesson! Thought you might like to know (if you do not already) that your book can be ordered directly from Amazon in the USA rather than from the Amazon UK site (which might save on shipping time, In any event I ordered a coipy on Monday and it arrived today (Wednesday). THanks for your efforts.

[@robertakerman3570]

thereare, Luv Ricky, He does drone on sometimes. Always a treat though.

[@rickysguitar]

It's called story telling Rob haha!

[@rickysguitar]

Brilliant thanks for the info!

[@robertakerman3570]

@@rickysguitar Yes Ricky, & well told I might add. I simply prefer brevity due to all the sites We might visit(I could write more but-well, U kno).Ha-ha

[@rickysguitar]

Gotta play the KZbin game to get my lessons out there to the people who will get something from them!

[@kevkonk]

I seem I understand it, but got lost about moving the middle finger up to be the same as the B and A string, but surely moving up from E is D sharp? ( 11.16 on video) The A string in the C chord is held at C The B string is held at C too.

[@rickysguitar]

Hi Kev, if you're on Facebook, head over to my group where I can answer your questions in a bit more depth. facebook.com/groups/rickysguitar

[@ranhold1]

Greatly appreciated, wonderful lesson. One question, what makes the R 4 5 degree chords major and the 2 3 6 degree chords minor?

[@mkenels]

My question as well…. Does it have to do with whole and half?

[@rickysguitar]

Just about to edit a video talking about this.

[@jeromekovacik1198]

Hey Ricky... Doesn't E have 4 sharps? So the D should be sharp in the key of E?

[@rickysguitar]

Yes E has 4 sharps. In the video I demonstrate the key of A Major as another example of the cycle of 3rds.

[@timemerson2691]

How do I get a copy of your book. It has to be awesome.

[@Mudplucker]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWrUaqN6j6icq6M

[@jamesbanks2492]

I heard someone mention buying a book from you do you mail the book or does it come over the computer 😎😎😎?

[@rickysguitar]

Yes! I have a book on Lulu and also on Amazon. The one on lulu is a spiral bound version and on Amazon it’s a paperback. I will be releasing the book as an eBook as well soon (hopefully) Spiral: rickysguitar.com/spiral Paperback: rickysguitar.com/paperback I appreciate the support my friend!

[@jamesbanks2492]

@@rickysguitar would you be so kind to send me your email address I would appreciate it I see @RickyComiskey but what's in front of@ 😎😎😎 ?

[@adriancoppin977]

E-up? I have one of those VW cars.

[@stoneysdead689]

I get that this is how major chords are built. The root+3rd+5th gives you a major triad. If you want a minor triad- you just flat the third so it's root+flat3rd+5th. If you want a A major seventh- then it's Root+3rd+7th note in the scale. If you want a A minor seventh, then again- just flat the third- root+falt3rd+7th note in scale. But here's what I don't get- there are several versions of the major scale- shredders prefer 3 notes per string, blues guys usually do a 2 note per string version- and then there are other ways to play it as well. Would this not change what that 13th note is? Or would it still be the same no matter which version of the scale you play? I guess it would be huh, the only difference is which string you're playing it on. Ok- I think I understand that part. The cycle of thirds thing is kind of throwing me off though- that I don't really get, but I'm fixing to go watch your videos concerning it and I'm sure I'll figure it out once I do. My issue is remembering scales are based on intervals- which means the notes change and you start ending up with all these unnatural notes- sharps and flats- that gets a bit confusing to me. I don't understand how you guys just seem to know or be able to work out these sharps and flats without having to pick up a guitar, run the scale, and work out what each note is. That's what I have to do. I think what started confusing me is that everyone uses C major as an example and it's just the natural notes in sequence- so I started thinking that was the major scale- you just start at the root and then it's each natural note in order but- that's ridiculous because then every scale would have the same notes in it- the only thing that would change is which note you started on. That's the method for figuring out each position of a scale but not for figuring out the notes of each key. For that you have to know the interval pattern, start on the root- and then just see what notes you land on. Why I can't get that to click in my head and really take root- Idk.

[@ebbablom]

yeah, the trick really lies in learning the intervals. in a major scale you got (from the root): whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (with the last half step bringing you to the octave). a whole step translates to two frets, and a half step to one fret. In C major, this means that the half steps are between E and F, and between B and C (only true for C major). or in other words, between the 3rd and 4th, and between the 7th and the octave (true for all major scales). so let's say you wanna figure out the sharps/flats of another scale, say F# major. whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. F needs a # obviously, because we're doing F# major. G is only a half step from F#, so it needs a # (whole). A is only a half step from G#, so it also gets a # (whole). B is a half step from A#, which is what we want, so leave it as is (half). C is a half step from B, and needs a # (whole). D is a half step from C#, and needs a # (whole). E is a half step from D#, and needs a # (whole). giving us F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#

[@stoneysdead689]

@@ebbablom I get it- thank you so much, man that's really helpful.

[@stoneysdead689]

​@@ebbablom Why do you call it E# and not F natural? Just to avoid having two Fs at the end?

[@ebbablom]

@@stoneysdead689 yep, that's exactly why! you only want one of each.

[@PompeyMatt17]

@@ebbablom might be a bit confusing telling people there's an E#...but I get that it's explaining the pattern..

[@rambalram2610]

Don't understand why distance between B and D is minor third ?? as you said in case of B diminished Chord ?

[@markwatt3596]

There is no B#. So B-C-C#-D is a minor interval.

[@jadonx]

A minor 3rd is 3 semitones (half steps) where as a major is 4 semitones.

[@PompeyMatt17]

best way is look at the keys on a piano..there's no black key between B and C and no black key between E and F.. so there's no B# and no E# in a scale..

[@jamesbanks2492]

Because personally I would like a book that I could actually hold and study out of 😎😎😎?

[@jimjamarch]

But you haven’t explained where the sharps come from or why some notes are minor etc.

[@rickysguitar]

That’s in a follow up video. However once you know how key and the tonal sequence of chords Sharp keys and flat keys don’t matter. If you need an easy way to find sharps and lays in a key I’ve already made that video.

[@jimjamarch]

@@rickysguitar okay fab. I’ll look that out.

[@jimjamarch]

@@rickysguitar just watched the follow up. Looking forward to the second follow up. Hopefully that links it all together. Great videos. Appreciate there’s masses to get in there.

[@rickysguitar]

New video out tonight. Connect the dots!!!

[@Apolo62]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@alva72nashir3]

just becouse 1=A has three # in that scale

[@wallypaige8496]

Show me how this plays on the guitar

[@rickysguitar]

How To Play Guitar In Any Key INSTANTLY! (Music Theory Workshop You Should See) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2azepmoZdWhmNU

[@rickysguitar]

Apply this knowledge here and you can play in any key.

[@rickysguitar]

Haha. COMmunication IS KEY.... see what I did there? I actually love 2 finger chords! Check out my compound 3rd videos. They only use 2 chords! I did plan on doing a "sweet sounding 2 finger chords" video though.

[@robertakerman3570]

@messenger ministries Halo Messenger, U put some thought into that one.

[@robertakerman3570]

@messenger ministries Zimmerman said something about "ploughman dig My fields". I've no Hebrew lineage though.

[@JD-bk6wj]

I'm lost.

[@pathway777]

What?

[@tylerparker3024]

Still don't get it... sometimes i feel like the guys that understand theory don't actually want to teach it in a way that makes sense. They say a lot but never make it all connect. I feel like it should sound simple not just sound like a bunch of letters.

[@rickysguitar]

It's impossible to convey all music theory in 1 video. That's why I make loads of them. I DEFINITELY want to teach it to make sense. It would be FAR more difficult if I wrote everything out standard notation, that's why I use letters. You know what those are, not dots and glyphs. This might not be the video that makes things click for you. But another one might. I don't publish videos for the sake of it. I truly don't have time for that. I only ever want to make videos that help people understand guitar a little bit better every time I upload. And yeah...Music theory can be difficult. It's the chemistry, physics and mathematics of music. Some folks can pull an engine to pieces and put it back together again instinctively. I can't. That's a skill set I'd have to put time into. The next couple of videos are more basic topics. Hopefully they might help you get it. Keep at it!

[@tylerparker3024]

Im definitely the engine guy.. understanding guitar theory is probably never going to happen for me

[@rickysguitar]

You get out what you put in! Don’t give up and stop limiting your ability with beliefs that don’t honour your time on the planet. I was thinking about your comment making my new video. Please don’t give up on music theory. The super basic stuff at least!

[@groundleaf865]

I have no clue what you’re talking about.😢

[@rickysguitar]

Copy/paste from another comment: Music is a language. As such you need to think of it as learning another language. Let me break down the topics in the lesson and then you can query each part and see how much predicate knowledge you need to get the value in the the lesson. 1. The C Major scale. These are the ingredients that make chords. 2. How chords are made from the ingredients. 3. Cycle of thirds is a tool for finding out what ingredients are in each chord 4. Applying in a letter grid instead of using standard notation (which means learning another language within the language) 5. Understanding the difference between Major and minor sounds (tonalities) and how they always maintain the same sequence regardless of the key. 6. Using jazz shorthand symbols to save time writing out words. 7. Once you understand the structure is the same throughout all keys how to quickly find all the chords in any key. 8. Applying theory to practical: transfering the ingredient information to chord shapes in boxes (which is an element of understanding another aspect of guitar specific language). Pick any of the above ideas you don't understand and study them in isolation. Then come back to the video and connect the thinking. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for the day. Teach a man how to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime. The goal of my lessons is to teach you how to fish. Bear with it. It's worthwhile. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JtJt-bg8rn]

It’s another language 😳😵‍💫 no idea what your talking about sorry, I wish I did.

[@rickysguitar]

You're correct. It is another language. As such you need to think of it as learning another language. Let me break down the topics in the lesson and then you can query each part and see how much predicate knowledge you need to get the value in the the lesson. 1. The C Major scale. These are the ingredients that make chords. 2. How chords are made from the ingredients. 3. Cycle of thirds is a tool for finding out what ingredients are in each chord 4. Applying in a letter grid instead of using standard notation (which means learning another language within the language) 5. Understanding the difference between Major and minor sounds (tonalities) and how they always maintain the same sequence regardless of the key. 6. Using jazz shorthand symbols to save time writing out words. 7. Once you understand the structure is the same throughout all keys how to quickly find all the chords in any key. 8. Applying theory to practical: transfering the ingredient information to chord shapes in boxes (which is an element of understanding another aspect of guitar specific language). Pick any of the above ideas you don't understand and study them in isolation. Then come back to the video and connect the thinking. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for the day. Teach a man how to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime. The goal of my lessons is to teach you how to fish. Bear with it. It's worthwhile. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@bradleybarton9064]

Keep watching and it will click. When it does, use it to make your own song. No matter what key you're in, the formula for the chords in a major key is Maj, Min, Min, Maj, Maj, Min and Dim. C Maj scale has no sharps or flats. That's why it's common to see it in an instruction video. You can look up the notes of the A Maj, B Maj scale and so on because they have added sharps or flats and are different. (He didn't go into this much) Once you know where the sharps or flats are in a scale, apply the Maj, Min, Min, Maj, Maj, Min and Dim to know if the scale chord is a Major or Minor. Hope this helps a bit. Using minor scales and chords is the same concept but a different pattern.

[@rafaelterrones8797]

did not understand

[@rickysguitar]

Maybe you will further down your guitar learning journey.

[@foljs5858]

A basic (triad) chord is 3 notes from a scale. A starting note plus the note 2 scale notes above it, and then the note scale 2 notes above that. E.g. C, E, G is the C chord in C major scale. In the guitar, we create a chord, by finding those 3 notes in different strings (so that we can strum them together and have the chord sound). If we want to play more strings, e.g. strum 4, 5, or 6 strings, then we can find the same notes we already found in another string (repeating C or E or G still makes the same chord sound). In the video, Ricky showed how we can derive the most common C shape, by looking for C, E, and G in our fretboard. (a) There are C, E and Gs elsewhere on the fretboard too, so this means we can play a C chord in multiple places. (b) If looking for a chord's notes, we find that a string has the note too far away for us to reach, we can just mute or don't hit that string. Same if we already have one of the notes in the other strings or if we want to lowest sounding note of the chord we strum to be the root (e.g. here he omits the open low E, because he already has an E, and also because he wants the C to be the lowest note of his C chord. You could also play the open low E, and it would work too - that's just a preference).

[@Typical.Anomaly]

@@foljs5858 I've been playing guitar for almost 30 years but when diving into theory, I often use a keyboard. It's a different "angle" I suppose. Sometimes it helps me to arpeggiate chords on a single string too in order to understand the intervals inside a chord.