How to Understand Intervals on Guitar

[@davidsholts]

Show us on the doll where the hippie hurt you.

[@seandaniel23]

AHHHHHHHHHH

[@rjg999]

That is the absolute funniest comment I have ever read!!

[@jackjackson9609]

good one

[@whyyeseyec]

It took me 20 minutes to laugh myself out!!

[@figueroa661]

Honestly, I need to know what hippies did to this guy!

[@orpheusalexander_]

dude your videos are fantastic! I've been playing guitar for 15 years and I've watched 4 of your videos in the last 2 days and it's changed everything for me! many thanks and keep going!

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear man, thanks for reaching out and I'll keep it going!

[@adamsaunders3413]

+Sean Daniel you sound like a hippie .sad!

[@SkylarRocketMusic]

right?! Totally relates to the student.

[@antoniomoreno6990]

As I read your comment 7 years later I’m also in my 15 year now and seriously. So much knowledge!

[@brianbirsa9767]

Sean, man... I've been watching tons of beginner theory videos hoping that over time I'll absorb enough that it will all start to come together and make sense. Every now and then, one will come along and suddenly, zing! I get it. This was one of those videos. I only have to hear something 32 times for it to make sense... No seriously, the way you presented it in a completely practical manner on the fretboard was a huge help. Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear it made sense!!! Keep rockin

[@andrewd1788]

thanks sean, this video was another breakthrough moment for me

[@jacob1151]

Hands down, your videos are the best I've found on KZbin. I've been taking a college music theory course this year, but incorporating all the theory into my guitar playing has been a bit of a challenge for me. I've made leaps and bounds because of your explanations. Thank you!

[@seandaniel23]

+Jacob Buse I appreciate it man. I'll keep em coming and let me know if you have any questions!

[@PeskyUSNA74]

I agree. Very smart dude. And if you want another great instructor, try www.shutupandplay.ca/ .

[@lyricaldeezy4151]

Your a genius man! Your ability to break things down and make everything so easy to understand is truly a gift. Not to mention u play a mean guitar. Your channel has been the blessing I needed to elevate my skills to the next level. Thank you!!!

[@rachelthompson9324]

I'm a hippie and I'm not scared of intervals

[@randomgame5765]

probably that's because of hippie drugs

[@jesterruth1238]

Hippie

[@lucasnon5784]

Me 2 Girly- I think he's talking hipsters.. hippys are much cooler but smell alot worse

[@jackjackson9609]

ever heard "the exception proves the rule"?

[@Duskusbunny]

Youre shaking in your boots- i mean sandals! Lol

[@psychophelia]

I never thought i would start to understand music & how it applies to guitar until I started watching your videos. I Can't thank You enough.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@JaysonT1]

@@seandaniel23 Question. In this video, we are in the key of C major. Now, I know that the 2nd and 6th chords are commonly minor. What I don't understand is when you are showing why the D is minor (minor 3rd note), why do you use a D scale to explain it? This is C major so shouldn't the explanation be found somewhere in the C scale? Of course you are going to find a D minor chord in the D minor scale.

[@riteshrawat4703]

Please make a video on "How to memorize intervals without boring ourselves to death". Thanks.

[@seandaniel23]

Great idea for a vid!

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

@@seandaniel23 Some of learning music is rote memorization, unfortunately.

[@cammartin9551]

I used song intros when learning intervals like ... Under the bridge - Maj 3rd Oh darling - Perfect 5th Put your records on - Aug 4th / Dim 5th (depending on your outlook on life) Somewhere over the rainbow - Maj 7th Common People - Perfect 4th Give me novacaine - Maj 6th The best way i've found is through recognisable riffs ... like Come Together, YYZ, Higher Ground, Sir Duke ... @Ritesh Rawat if you don't have the patience to do it the 'boring' way, this might help @Sean Daniel your videos are great

[@justinedwards9123]

I’m just… wow. In two lessons you taught me triads in the first three strings in any key and now I have intervals and inversions on the bass strings… Months of practice in practically twenty minutes of videos. And your attitude…. Is addictive. This hippy is willing to learn good sir!

[@balthebat]

Such a clear and helpful description of intervals. Thank you!

[@trackerbuckmann1627]

Never trust the hippies and intervals are your best friend. Words to live by. Best lesson on intervals I've ever seen. Well done.

[@heisenbooger]

For someone who skipped the important stuff, you sure do explain things nicely.

[@seandaniel23]

Haha, thanks so much!

[@j.c.lipseymusic884]

Very, very interesting concept on whittling down or “trimming away” the pieces of a chord (any chord!) with relation to how it happens on a useful, musical way. I’ve always been just a “cowboy chord” strummer with a few barre chords thrown in. However, this opens up new ways to improve your dynamics of singing over a chord progression (chorus vs. verses in a song). Example: a song that I am learning right now, has a “bridge” (these happen a lot) which is not really a complete “verse” on its own, but it’s not part of the “chorus” either. The “bridge” is a momentary diversion (?), usually only a few bars, that connect the various verses back to the chorus (laymen’s explanation). Anyway, this lesson will help me figure out how to play the bridge (it’s a palm muted, two string (interval) progression that is different from the rest of the “open, full chord” strumming that happens throughout the rest of the song. I’m excited to delve into this more so I can “figure out” intervals all over the neck. Thanks man!

[@Distantmoores]

Thank you Sean Daniel. This old fart appreciates this, and every lesson video I've watched you produce. You stay on subject, laser focused, teaching us what you started out to do. I didn't know an interval from an outer-val, but now I know what an interval is and how to use them. Wow, great lesson and again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and that great Irish humor you so skillfully share!

[@kevintyson9059]

Really enjoy your videos. I've been playing guitar for about two years now and because of you and other youtubers I've definitely noticed improvement so thank you.

[@DDLazlo]

Just found you! You're talking at the very level I need right now. Hope life has treated you well over the past seven years.

[@Jollynoose]

what i dont understand is this video has had 23,712 viewings with only 598 likes. this guy has consistantly giving the up and coming guitarist very informative and often most needed information and tricks to help us grow and get better at what we love to do. it wont kill you to show him a small amount of appreciation by hitting the like button, it doesnt cost anything

[@htorres11]

Just found these videos. They are loaded with great info.

[@hassansadiq155]

Great explanation. I was just going through the theory stuff and was not sure as to where intervals can be used. You video helped a lot. Thank you

[@seandaniel23]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@thetypetwolife3602]

Best personality in guitar teaching and amazing lessons, Thank You!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@kristianmalinovic50]

Your abillity to teach is amazing. Thx

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for saying so Kristian!

[@vidmohit4684]

Duuuuude! This lesson is just the thing I needed to know. The way you teach really make things understandable for me. Thank you

[@seandaniel23]

Always happy to help!

[@kimrisinger3074]

@@seandaniel23 I totally agree. Something about the way you explained this really made sense to me whereas I hadn't learned this from my lessons. Thanks!!

[@domjazbutis9932]

It's amazing how the intro of this video makes so much sense now after the recent KZbin beef you had.

[@seandaniel23]

Such a fleeting beef it was.

[@domjazbutis9932]

I came here to learn guitar and you make me google words that I have never heard of. #TwoForThePriceOfZero

[@mussman717word]

As a hippie in peace and love with intervals, I object to that opening story!

[@JonnyKaine]

ha! truth. I get the stereotype he's talking about and I've known some like that, but I've also known a lot of people that might be called "hippies" that are really into geeky stuff (including music theory.)

[@patrickmickey]

Having been in the class of 67 I got to know a lot of people who may have been identified by the "hippie" label. Most times they were very different from each other. Rebel Youth Culture or Beat Subculture is better I think. There are many labels like that. I wanted to point out that there were a great many people who might identify or be identified with these labels but there weren't really that many hippies who played guitar, except maybe in California. I like Sean's lessons - out of site.

[@seanenglish3002]

I wondered why they called it perfect. Thank you for explaining that. Great video. In the book that I was using to learn interval names, they said the interval name from C to D is a Major 2nd. Distinguished from the C to Db as the minor 2nd. I like your explanation better. Perfect, it is.

[@bubbles3161]

These videos are brilliant. It's so easy to understand and remember. Mind expanding leaps and bounds. I feel unstoppable !

[@architbagul120]

This is so amazing and helpful! Thank you so much Sean. I have been playing for barely a year but I feel certain that these tips will improve my playing more than anything has!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@Elleon12]

When you teach guitar the light comes on....thanks for the amazing lessons

[@seandaniel23]

Your welcome :)

[@sinjon]

This was a fantastic lesson. Thanks so much for making this. Watching all your lesson videos now

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@adambrensen7090]

I love your videos thanks for bringing the info together into a tight lesson! I'm learning how to sing harmonies and this was very complimentary.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks Adam! Intervals are so important harmony wise!

[@davidpereira9058]

Every I pass on by... there's always something I learn on your channel!

[@alfanunplugged]

My acoustic guitar exams are cancelled but still preparing cuz I'm passionate and I have nothing to do in quarantine... And in exam syllabus I was like wat da hell is interval scales... Now after watching uu I'm getting pieces of it... In any guitar query uu rr my first search...

[@MrShaneor73]

Another excellent video ! Loving your KZbin page lately...love your no nonsense way of explaining things...keep up the good work !

[@seandaniel23]

+Shane O Reilly Thanks so much Shane! I'll keep em coming!

[@chaddickerson1887]

Everything else I've looked up says there is only a perfect internal at 4th, 5th, and 8th. 2nd has minor and major intervals. I appreciate your help. I'm not trying to poop in your Cheerios. Just trying to learn correctly. What am I understanding poorly?

[@MikeRatcliffe2014]

You are correct Chad.

[@JM-pf2of]

@@MikeRatcliffe2014 where can you learn this correctly?

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

@@MikeRatcliffe2014 +1

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

@@JM-pf2of Books are probably best.

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

@@JM-pf2of kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ7XipSgap6morc

[@replayreviews6339]

If you add the e to the 9th fret on the a minor you get a nice sound in the little C, d minor, a minor riff you play. Love your videos.

[@maitreemaitri1632]

Ur explanations are the best Sean Daniel. Thanks a lot.

[@bandpassmess]

I AM THAT HIPPIE SIR !!!! I’m learning been getting more serious of getting my notes patterned better. Love it when people walk by and go “ I’ve never heard that before “! EXACTLY I CAN PLAY SMOKE ON THE WATER SO MANY TIMES !!!!!

[@silverslivver]

I'll be watching and commenting on your videos going forward. Any time you reply will be awesome, but don't feel you have to as I am doing it to feed al. Just know that your way of teaching is awesome and appreciated. Hearing you make something so simple sound so good, while showing how simple, and helpful theory can be is powerful......from a former lifetime noob... ...thanks

[@pedropolanco8576]

Great video! Just one thing: I don't think there is such thing as a perfect second, as there is such thing as a minor second and major second.

[@seandaniel23]

+Pedro Polanco You're absolutely right. I thought I fixed that in the annotations but I must've done it wrong. Thanks for watching!

[@Ly2744]

Thanks for being there Sean.

[@seandaniel23]

+Robert Gendron happy to help my man!

[@marianoturienzo6974]

The intro with the hippie in the park and intervals it s hilarious haha! Really thank you for the way explaining music and this beautiful instrument

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@grrrumble]

That unusual vocal affectation you have is curiously compelling.

[@seandaniel23]

I get that a lot.

[@nightknight669]

That first minute is a golden intro

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@wm.p.callahan979]

That chord progression sounded like lay lady lay. luv what you do, stay cool.

[@deepakrebentisch9173]

excellent lesson sir God bless you and your family

[@robmavers746]

Great video sean,you explain the information amazingly well. Keep the good work up. I'm learning so much,please keep 'em coming ,thank you so much

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for reaching out Rob. Great to hear!

[@Guitarplayer724]

Thanks for the light bulb moment. The difference between major and minor intervals.

[@seandaniel23]

Glad to hear it clicked!

[@malavparmar7694]

Thanks alot for this video!! I used intervals and learned harmonizing

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@mikel917]

I made a comment on another of your lessons about intervals...my apologies. Thanks for taking time to share free info!

[@jeffmcdonald7882]

Sean....You are really, really good. Thanks for all of your teachings!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Try not to confuse the hippie in the park. Lol. I will say this is much better than counting frets or counting semitones and whole tones. Very informative.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Jeff!

[@prog4meringgt640]

Jeff Johansen ' ITS

[@armata6530]

Revisiting this gem to get back on and tune up my theory

[@Ly2744]

Thanks, Sean.. I took a time out to use this info on some songs when I practice,e and it's amazing how a little understanding of theory improves playing. The key for is to take some time to practice

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching! Happy to help :) I'm glad I've been able to help.

[@playingpianowithchords1578]

Good one. The cool thing is that it stays the same if you move up and down the fret!

[@zacandrews9750]

Add an echo and reverb to the ExiledOrpheus comment re duration of learning and what this man does that I feel more praise must be showered on him..I am sitting on a hot sunny afternoon watching a juniors soccer tournament intermittently switching betweeen George Harrison' All Things... and Sean's videos and I had one of those awakening moments as Sean just in his matter of fact style pointed out the interval relationship on the chord shape ,it's not I didn't understand the theory I did but what I hadn't linked to was scale pattern to the interval to the chords I already know. One request is a little series on Keith Richards or maybe just Wild Horses where I can almost never tire of listening to the second guitar's ultimate call and response. : )

[@dreamdrifter]

Another great video Sean, been having a blast watching through all of yours and Ian's lessons. On the topic of the "perfect 2nd vs major 2nd", I can see where you're coming from, but that's not how it generally works. 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th intervals are denoted "major" or "minor" based on which is the larger interval (the major) - not which scale they come from. Perfect intervals (unison, 4th and 5th) were traditionally named as such as they are perceived as the most consonant. Also notice how there is only one chromatic note remaining (enharmonically speaking) - the diminished fifth/augmented fourth - that's why it's not called a "minor 5th" or "major 4th"

[@seandaniel23]

You're right on Jaiden! I learned that afterwards and though I annotated it but maybe did it wrong :)

[@dreamdrifter]

Sean Daniel Ah, cool. I usually watch on mobile, so that's probably why I didn't see that. Interestingly enough, you can also have an Augmented 2nd, which is enharmonically equal to a Minor 3rd but serves as the second scale degree in some harmonic scales and modes. Keep up the great work, loving it!

[@darthkang_]

best explanation I've found so far! Thanks a lot :)

[@seandaniel23]

glad it was helpful!

[@nickbeverly9228]

Ayeeee I tried digging into my uncle's 3 decade deep pile of guitar subscriptions when I first started and ruined learning legit theory for myself by biting off such a big piece. Now, 12 years later, I've reapplied myself and started checking your videos (as well as other theory gurus) and it's all clicking. Some aspects are easier to grasp l, naturally, but I'm having a hard time deciding progressions. Either way I love your vids man you're the best teacher I've ever had regarding music.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I'll have more vids about progressions coming soon!

[@bulangkonyak9200]

Thank u Daniel for the lesson. I'm learning, thank u.

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear! I'll keep em coming!

[@junknoodles1028]

You're the best youtube teacher there is. awesome instruction and funny intros lol. Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you! Happy to help :)

[@kidyusei413]

😂😂your intros are the best!! That hippy scenario was hilarious! Man where’d your get your sense of humor! Haha wish I was this funny!

[@KayakCampingOffGrid]

Great explanation and easy to understand. For once I can relate to intervals... Finally! Liked and Subscribed! Looking forward to seeing more of your clearly explained stuff man. 😁😁

[@Dermbet]

Awesome videos. Much better than most i've watched. they make sense.

[@seandaniel23]

So great to hear, thanks for reaching out!

[@abdulsaif1607]

please keep going nd please post a lesson for descending picking accuracy..from right to left on fretboard.. I'm really struggling thanx

[@seandaniel23]

Great idea Abdul! I'll keep em coming!

[@rodobrien2283]

The hippy has one big advantage over most of us. He's probably found happiness.

[@michaelammitzboll6416]

I like the cut of your jib! Thanks.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@GRockBlues]

awesome video...and best ad ive seen...only ad i watched all the way through...lol

[@seandaniel23]

Which one was it?

[@GRockBlues]

sorry i dont remember...lol...50s are gettin rough!

[@SamDesmet]

'perfect' second? ' power chord' playing min/maj thirds? playing the 'same' chords above the neck, but strumming open treble strings throughout? I guess we agree on one thing: the advantage of understanding intervals is two-fold: they form the foundation to build chords/harmonies they are important to understand the fretboard But you might wanna check some sources before putting things out there...

[@jameswong7049]

Awesome video man. I was wondering if you could go more into "volume" and how to construct these chords with different volumes. I know you went into it in your video but I am still a bit confused as to how to construct chords through the intervals - can you only move to a major third? or can you move to any other interval? sorry - im learning music theory and music by myself and you have been incredibly helpful.

[@seandaniel23]

+James Wong Thanks for watching. I'm not sure I totally understand the question your asking about volumes. As far as the construction of chords I definitely recommend this video if you haven't watched it already...kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZC5pZ-uhr-bjtU Let me know what other questions if you have if that doesn't answer it!

[@emorydelacruz5169]

Love this lesson in intervals! Thank you

[@JamesWilson-hm3rg]

Love your style Sean thanks for your videos

[@hairbiopi1240]

thank you this really helped me. I've been struggling with theory mostly because I'm too lazy haha but now I'm on intervals and you explained it nicely😄

[@seandaniel23]

Thank you for watching!

[@downhill240]

Wow! Great new perspective for me! Thanks for sharing man!!

[@seandaniel23]

+downhill240 Happy to help!

[@user-jt6ph2fs7w]

After this lesson I will never stress myself playing chords again / just switch to intervals

[@seandaniel23]

There you go!

[@peterbroderson6080]

From a 74 year old "Hippie" I never had trouble with intervals or music theory. I do know a lot of excellent Musicians who do not know music theory and would make remarks like that.

[@jimmymurraymethod]

Great lesson Sean!

[@tylertyler5949]

Thank you for the help, great teacher!!

[@DarkSoulMagician]

You Rock Sean !! Great Material, i realy enjoy your lessons, it really changed my point of view from a lot of consepts, it really helps me to improve mi skills, i'm appling so much things in my playing style and i really enjoy myself when i sound nice by expressing myself easily. Thank You so much, i really apreciate what you do. Btw, you're also pretty funny. Always enjoy your Intros and Outro. -Never Trust a Hippy! LOL Best Regards and big hug From Uruguay !!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much :) It means a lot. I'm glad you enjoy the videos.

[@jeremycrichton1679]

Your videos are so nice, all the time!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Jeremy! I'll keep em coming!

[@doublet630]

Don't take any crap over your coffee consumption - great pace and style of teaching. Good explantion of intevals

[@MrArtist1971]

Excellent video Sean.

[@SketchingRocks]

Excellent lesson

[@rodrickgivens2565]

Awesome lesson

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@stefano.b65stef77]

i've started watching your videos, keep up the good work, they are great

[@bsha100]

Absolutely awesome! Thank you.

[@PhryTheBreather]

Ty for the videos man! Appreciate it greatly. Also, that started to sound like System of a Down when you started playing the different voiced chords

[@maryamalh2845]

You just blew my mind....

[@abramhernandez1216]

Great lesson! Thanks Sean!

[@seandaniel23]

Always happy to help Abram!

[@GarryBurgess]

One small correction. There is major 2nd, minor 2nd, and augmented second, but there is no perfect 2nd. Only 4ths, 5ths, Octaves, and Unisons are considered perfect. Minor 2nd is only 1 semitone, major 2nd is 2 semitones, and it is as simple as that.

[@DeeBroughton]

First, I think your other videos are really very good, but I think you should do this one over. Intervals are super important but this explanation is not as good as it should be. First of all, the mistakes. But second, it would be much better, imo, to start by showing the intervals that are inherent on the fretboard dependent on the tuning. So, for example, in standard, on every pair of strings except when crossing B, you'll see the same shape for a major 3rd, same for 4th, etc. This will help people learn the fretboard architecture. Then show how to know which major 3rd belong in the scale/key you are playing. Third, the folky hippy is far more likely to appreciate a little theory than the wannabe rockstar, but I see why you wouldn't say that. Liking your stuff, though, your musicality is excellent. Thanks!

[@ZacharyWThomas]

I am feeling so dumb right now. I understand basic chord structure from a production/keyboard standpoint, but I taught myself how to play guitar by watching others and never bothered to think about why certain “shapes” work the way they do. I only realized from this video that power chord shapes are based on the major and minor third intervals, and it seems stupidly obvious now that I know it.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Never heard of a "Perfect Second" and I've had Classical Theory. Perfect is only related to 4ths & 5ths.

[@JM-pf2of]

this is concerning. can you answer something for me? whats the difference between an E Major scale and the pentatonic scale in the key of E? or are they the same?

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

Exact same. major 2nd (2 semitones) and minor 2nd (1 semitone).

[@TannerMikrayRobinson]

@@JM-pf2of Pretty off topic but the answer is a major pentatonic scale has 5 of the notes of the major scale, not all of them, so technically different. The minor pentatonic scale is more popular for guitar playing so in that case, it would be quite different yes.

[@gokusgames]

theres also perfect octave and perfect unison

[@msquaredmusic2820]

Same. Was puzzled to hear him say that o.O

[@danieliacovissibrown6164]

Are major 3rds always down 1 string and up 1 fret? With the exception of the B string of course

[@seandaniel23]

Yup! (in standard tuning anyway) :)

[@davidhoxit4274]

Man you have a pantload of content on you tube...I just discovered the "riff deconstruction" series and it's great! BTW...love the hippie reference...comedy + tutorial=you tube gold

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! And yeah there's a good amount of videos up there :)

Excellent video! Thank you so much! So much love to you Sean :D

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Aimi! Sending it right back ;)

[@sok8180]

Hey Sean! Your videos, though I've only discovered your channel yesterday, helped me a lot especially those music theories that were narrowed and made simpler. Just an idea for another video, would you make one regarding bad habits on playing the guitar?

[@pkrishna1065]

This is needed so badly. Especially with all us KZbin students out there

[@thedeathcake]

Genuinely awesome video!

[@alfonso365]

Great lesson!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks again :)

[@Addy-1636]

Great lesson, prob difficult without knowing theory

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!