Understanding Music Theory in One Hour - Animated Music Lesson

[@pmadamson]

Congratulations. I am a Qualified Music Teacher in the Uk and am very concerned about many so called Music teachers online who just set themselves up without the correct musical knowledge and/or qualification. You have impressed me with your approach and teaching. Congratulations. I would love to see youtube offering a kind of approval system so beginners can visit approved sites. You would certainly be given the teaching mark if I was on the panel. All I need now is for you to tell me you are not qualified(LOL) Either way, your knowledge is very good.

[@pmadamson]

No, not for teaching Morons but for teaching Children who want to learn Music and sometimes those who don't. I suspect your ability to read and write stems from you being taught by someone. Without teaching and learning the world would not be progressing. Sadly there are a ot of people who are anti-schools and teaching having forgotten some of the benefits they gained from it. It is clear from comment on here that some people do not like people who teach music. I will therfore remove my contribution to this channel as people are not reading my posts properly and missing the points I am making.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Hi Peter! I am sorry about Robert King. He has been banned from my channel. I really want this to be a place where anyone can comment or ask questions. You are warmly welcome to continue to contribute. :)

[@pmadamson]

Thanks for that. No problem. Keep up the good work , you are doing a great job.All my comments have been in good faith in support of your channel and those wanting to learn

[@stephaniejade7056]

Great that another music teacher (who already understands music theory) is impressed.

[@pmadamson]

Stephanie Jade Thanks Stephanie. I only came on here to reccomend the channel as there are too many self made teachers who earn money from you tube without the know how. Ross knows the subject so deserves credit. Music is a very complex subject. Music is loved by many people and needs good education although I do acknowledge those talented people who can just play by ear.

[@DaisyFarm_]

For anyone who needs to watch in chunks 1.Musical distance: 0:30 2.Scales: 3:12 (For anyone who wants to remember major and minor pattern, Major, WWHWWWH, Minor, WHWWHWW) 2a.Scale degrees: 7:38 3.Intervals: 11:36 4.Melody and Transposition: 22:10 5.Major and Minor Chords: 25:50 5a.Chord progressions: 28:46 5b.Roman Numerals and Chord Transposition: 32:28 6.The Tritone: 35:23 7.Other types of chords and their functions: 40:14 8.Inverting Intervals: 48:38 9.Inverting Chords: 53:34 10.The Circle of Fifths: 56:22 11.Modulation and Borrowing: 1:03:11 12.Modes: 1:08:53

[@emiknits02]

hello? god is that you?

[@hgaleano96galeano52]

Thank you

[@jewelbonaparte3120]

Thanks alot

[@aandrew626]

ur an amazing person thank u

[@MrBumbo90]

thanks

[@SatireDaily]

The most amazing thing in music, for me, is when everything I've been trying to learn over the last year just somehow instantly clicks and makes sense. Everything falls into place and holy scoobysnacks I know music theory!!!!

[@moncefkarimaitbelkacem1918]

holy scoobysnacks ... my new favorite expression ;):)

[@woozihae]

I KNOW RIGHT!

[@sestables]

That first time you play it and you do it differently than the previous 348 times...and youre like "wait...that was right..." and then you get it right again...people who dont play an instrument dont understand how quickly "dogged determination to fail as many times as necessary" can turn into "wait i accidentally did it RIGHT that time!" and what that feels like!

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

You also desire scooby snacks, Oreos and all the other crap that has been implanted in your receptive mind

[@RoadToFame05]

My favorite expression two now 😂

[@JazzBuff23]

I just found this site and also ordered your book on Amazon. I'm 82 and I just bought a piano and am starting to learn. I'm a pilot and own my own plane, but they pull;ed my medical and I can't fly. I'm a golfer, but I had four recent back operations and I can't play. I believe the brain needs to be worked out just as any muscle does and flying kept me sharp. Same goes for golf and now I hope piano will do it for me. I've always been a jazz buff and love music. I don't know why there has been a lull in comments here, maybe this post will start a new group of comments.

[@Toddespiel]

still alive?

[@JazzBuff23]

@@Toddespiel Yep, I'll be 83 next week.

[@Toddespiel]

@@JazzBuff23 Hope u live another 83 ! happy birthday already!

[@JazzBuff23]

@@Toddespiel Another 83 might be pushing it, but I hope to get another ten or fifteen. Thanks for the B Day wish.

[@Tilo-STM]

Yo im still 16 Without a doubt im the youngest here

[@kumarrishabh3587]

I am a Physics Student and after watching this I think 'Quantum Mechanics is quite simple'.

[@nostalgean]

lol

[@dynamics3261]

Damn fr? This was quite easy and I'm and 8th grader learning Geometry. I know nothing of music but want to learn to read sheet music for my guitar instead of just using tabs. Good luck with physics tho.

[@zhaohuideng8836]

@@dynamics3261 Music is like language. The younger you learn it, the easier it can be.

[@martyr_lightsilver1833]

@@zhaohuideng8836 Agreed. I taught myself the principles of quantum mechanics in middle school and junior high, so I find it quite easy to understand the seemingly nonsensical theory behind it.

[@noobplays5219]

Are bhai bhai bhai mujhe toh karta scales rat ke jaani hai as an exam it's tough to cram every scale😭😭😭

[@azegyiptomi]

Science teacher : c'mon guys..it's not music theory... Music teacher : come on guys! it's not rocket science...

[@jessicaannoh6377]

sikeres légy a kurvák közt Brian May(a guitar player of Queen and astrophysicist): listen up here, kids!

[@azegyiptomi]

@@jessicaannoh6377 hahaha, good one

[@ebi_tempura]

Aaaaand rocket science ends up being easier

[@krinz7197]

What language is ur username cos i got What u doing and bitch out of it

[@WombatSteve]

@@krinz7197 It would translate to "become successful around the whores" or alternatively "a successful fly around the whores" Literally it means "Successful [to] be [you] the whores between" and between is used as a term for being around (not literally) a group or culture. Fun fact: "Be" in English can be heard as "bee", in hungarian, the word for "be" is the same word as the word for "fly"

[@mintchocolateik]

"This next part is very simple" *starts speaking alien language*

[@omairsh8]

Well it's simple if you speak *alien language*

[@jordan7385]

Lmao

[@patmcdonagh748]

Lol

[@MonchoEchiburu]

👽

[@aidans.77]

Nice pfp

[@KyuzaPiano]

Literally summoned up my music semester within 2 hours. Teachers trying to make things complicated, this video explained it simple as possible.

[@vishalmeena9095]

Simply, quiet simply simple making it more simpler than how simple it was before.

[@UserName-tv1sy]

That’s why music school dumb as fuck just pick up a bunch of books instead of putting down a bunch of money

[@poormanchemist]

@@vishalmeena9095 When it becomes too simple you lose the environment it's made for

[@bill3837]

No, this is way more complicated. If you learn your keys, signatures and your scales then you can build any cord from there

[@Capstfu]

I’m gonna re watch this until I remember every second

[@ankitaharwal5886]

Do you learned it?

[@zain4019]

Captain STFU It’s probably better to choose a topic, watch this videos take on it, and search a few more videos so you’re able to learn using different explanations.

[@jijobuje]

I am just taking little notes with the time stamps to remember. You can do this too.

[@randrobinson443]

Did you do it?

[@omairsh8]

This will be my new ASMR video every night before I sleep. That'll get it in my subconscious 😜

[@CoopAroundTheWorld]

Hey man, I just wanted to say I have looked for hours and hours for videos on Music Theory only to get bogged down with more and more info, because the preexisting knowledge required to understand what people are talking about is already so advanced, that someone who doesn't take any classes has a hard time understanding. This video was very straightforward and covered an expansive amount of basic and foundational knowledge for me. Like many fields, it seems that music teachers on youtube have very huge "expert blindspots" that keep them from being able to communicate things in simple wording. Thanks for the video.

[@seiracatrett1879]

I completely agree

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Of course my friend! Happy to help. :)

[@CoopAroundTheWorld]

Alex Taylor I AC2ALLY DIDENT NO WUT A MAJOR OR MINOR SCALE REEL LEE WERE, OR A MAJOR, MINOR, DIMINISHED, AUGMENTED, OR PURFECT INTERVAL WAS. OR HOW CORDZ WUR MAID. OR DAT DER WUZ CORD SKALEZ, OR TRITONEZ. OR HOW TO ACTUALLY USE D CIRCLE OF 5THS -- Oops, you'll have to excuse me, that was my apparent sense of not caring while still having to contradictorily make a public display of how much I don't care... I mean "troll."

[@pmadamson]

Hi Brandon, Knowledge is one thing.Teaching is a different skill. Teaching is about getting it across. I think as a teacher myself you have added a very important comment about youtube teachers. I studied Music for four years and gained a degree in Music Education which is about the art of teaching the knowledge and skills(Not about being a performer)This video meets my approval and I'm glad you've found something to help you. I wish you well in one of the best subjects in the world. I retired from teaching after 37 years and am now concentrating on writing and performing which is totally different to teaching music.

[@jonatankarlsson3501]

Brandon Cooper o

[@witozzi9270]

Anyone else trying to make a dream come true?

[@MicaelAzevedo]

The One Days here! Ahahah

[@shainejams3689]

Daunting. Plus with this boring, monotone narration I just don't think I can take it. I really tried but it just reminds me of school too much.

[@davidsanchez2641]

To be honest in 8 years of learning music, just NOW I decided to learn theory and I've been kinda successful in my career as a musician

[@elmata1998]

Best comment to be related

[@psy2mentor]

Nope. I'm trying to make the nightmares stop.

[@molly863]

THIS IS GREAT!!! My boyfriend is a musician and I haven’t taken any music classes beyond elementary school so it’s really hard for me to talk to him and ask questions about music when I don’t even know how to describe what I’m hearing or what I have questions about. This is my very first exposure to music theory and I am keeping up! I’ve been taking notes, pausing, rewinding and rewatching and I actually understand! I’m 40 minutes into the video and about 4 hours into watching. I’m so thankful for how clearly and concisely this is explained!

[@saphkai3755]

btw did you watch the whole vid,is it useful,did you understand,is it good?i didnt watch it yet and want to be a guitarist,but i dont lnow how hard and how much time it needs,so u have any idea ?

[@ahsanahmed6317]

That's so sweet and humble of you. Keep up the good work! You're doing great!

[@K1bogam1]

You are learning music theory for better conversation with your boyfriend? Lucky guy!

[@sleepdeep305]

It is so hard as the boyfriend attempting to communicate. I almost have the opposite problem, because I’ve lost the ability to not use music theory to describe what I’m hearing.

[@molly863]

@@sleepdeep305 I just showed him this post and he said “yes I agree with him” to your comment 😂

[@conner6693]

Take a shot every time he says something is easy

[@VoidKyun]

Conman 1016 take a shot everytime he says C D E F G A B or major and minor and chord.

[@conner6693]

God Dawg I don’t want to die!!

[@lightningthebeast]

@@conner6693 what about getting shot XD ¿

[@brandon8667]

blacked out

[@sashavulgrr7299]

I've died

[@waddup20]

I've been avoiding music theory for way too long now..

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

waddup20 I think you will find it useful and fun.😎

[@tessampalmer6946]

-Every band student ever

[@kademoore4258]

Same. My production is showing it lol so I'm here to learn and grow and hopefully make some better stuff with it

[@kademoore4258]

@to-fall-upwards I agree. The master needed a little help :) and yes that's me singing lol but hey, baby steps

[@lucathe5881]

@@tessampalmer6946 and every singer ever ;)

[@joshuahijs]

a lot of people in these comments are complaining that this guy is teaching them WHAT the elements of music theory are - notes, scales, chords etc. - but not WHY they are the way they are. but there's a good reason he's not bothering to explain why - because in a lot of cases there isn't really a reason. let me explain: when you were growing up, did your parents have any weird traditions you couldn't really explain? maybe your mum always set the table with a full cutlery set - fork, knife, spoon - even when she didn't need to cause you were only eating soup. or maybe your dad wouldn't let you open any of your christmas presents until after you'd had your christmas dinner, even though all your friends got to open theirs as soon as they woke up. and there was no real reason why they did those things, except that was just the way they liked to do it. that's what music theory is. music theory is thousands of different people over hundreds and hundreds of years saying "this is how we like to do it. there's no real reason why, we just think it sounds nice." and now if you try and make music that doesn't follow those rules, it sounds weird. that's why music from other cultures often sounds so strange to us. if you look outside western music, there's actually loads and loads of music that doesn't follow any of these rules because they came up with their own set of unexplainable traditions. some cultures use different scales, different chords, some of them have extra notes in between the ones we use. that's just how they like to do it. the point is, we can explain why our music sounds the way it does using these rules, but we can't really explain why the rules themselves exist (in most cases - I will admit I'm oversimplifying a bit here).

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thanks 💯% for this comment. I left the why out for exactly that reason. Everyone must figure out why themselves.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

@Seraph909 agreed!!

[@solidboyz9944]

joshuahijs I know you’re right but I still don’t agree I NEED HELP !! I’m not about to automatically know why he telling me this

[@gabbybyrd6749]

after taking music theory this year as a huge reasoning person, the "why" has ALWAYS bothered me. To hear that their simply isn't one is both comforting and frustrating.

[@simonvegas793]

@@gabbybyrd6749 True that!! I've spent years wondering 'why' so I can figure it out from a 'how' perspective. Suppose I just need to go with the flow. I've learned the 'what' and always felt like there was something missing from my knowledge for some reason, and have always searched for it. Suppose I've found it, in a manner of speaking lol! :)

[@kevinquevem]

THANKYOU! I am 58 years old. All my life I have wanted to learn this. When I was 10 I learned the guitar, basic chords to play along (or try to) but never knowing what it all meant. Now I am begining to understand. This is a precious resource. Thankyou. Stay safe!

[@antoneeyuh]

Took an entire semester of music theory and left that class more confused than ever. Watched half of this video so far and you've made it so much more simple to understand. Thank you!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

I am glad to have helped!

[@burntwarrior9182]

Woww this is what I needed to get into guitar seriously, I been up 7 hours now studying this video and everything is connecting. Thanks for your great lessons, this channel truly deserves millions of subscribers, cause everyone really would benefit from this without having to search through the endless junk feeding wrong or confusing information.

[@RichieHelf]

It is currently 3 in the morning....i shall be back bc music theory is something i really want to learn well! Thank you for this \m/

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are most welcome! Get some sleep my friend! :)

[@ejohnson5316]

Same here 😩 I want to sleep but I need this in my life!!

[@tiajane]

Ebony Johnson yes! Must b fine arts major! Lol. Good luck.

[@passage2enBleu]

It is possible to see birds your whole life, and then one day you SEE a bird, and from that moment on, their presence weaves a new colour into the cognitive tapestry of your life. This is how I can best describe what has happened to me recently with music. There are no regrets arriving at this point so late, but it is worth losing sleep for, as time enjoyed with a lover.

[@WaffleMmann]

Richie Helf 2:41 for me

[@friedrichmarkus3574]

watched with 2x speed -> its now music theory in a half hour ...

[@kearaventer.2621]

😂😂 I always watch vidoe at either 1.5× or 2× to save up time. And that's legit what I did with this video

[@RTFosmark]

^the real mvp

[@zrspangle]

Yeah but then the pitch is off and you can't hear the actual notes

[@20cashdotxyz76]

I used to be terrible at playing piano. Now I play like a pro! If you want some great online piano lessons then go here now: HootPiano.xyz

[@santiagogonzalez3063]

@@zrspangle aCtUaLlY the pitches stay the same

[@everyonesalama4447]

17 minutes in and having a breather to digest, I'm going to finish this. Tips for anyone totally new, keep at it, things do start to make sense out of the mumbo jumbo, even if it doesn't to begin with. Familiarise yourself with the language and the basic threads that run through all methods of teaching music theory, it will start to fall into place, as it is finally doing for me, don't give up!

[@Eleton]

I have autism and these video made a little sense to me. Am starting to like music theory now 🙂

[@remilola4538]

I appreciated this

[@tombirey1]

Thank you sir

[@DanneoYT]

Timestamp :D Introduction and Musical Distance 0:25 Scales 3:13 Scale Degrees (Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor 7:38 Interval 11:36 Melody and Transposition 22:10 Major and Minor Chords 25:49 Chord Progression 28:49 Roman Numerals and Chord Transposition 32:27 The Tritone 35:22 Other Types of Chords and Their Function 40:14 Inverting Interval 48:40 Inverting Chord 53:33 Circle of Fifths 56:22 Modulation and Borrowing 1:03:11 Modes 1:08:53

[@crispyt91]

Thank you soldier

[@taggart8]

Thanks for your hard work on this index 👍

[@tombirey1]

You have great potentials❤

[@JulianCampbellPPV]

"Scales are easy! One is WHWHWHWHWWW and the other is HWHWHWWWHH. What could be simpler than that?"

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

lol :)

[@prasunthapliyal4287]

You might want to remember it this way: Major is 2 1/2 3 1/2 (read two and a half, three and a half). Minor is 1 1/2 2 1/2 2

[@yiurock4084]

lol!!!

[@LarsJ1977]

@Prasun great tip! Thank you! :)

[@OndrejHavlicek]

I also felt that just throwing a lot of theory at us in the style "this is just how it is, absorb it" is not the greatest way. My reaction is always "but why??", because I hate to memorize things, I want to truly understand the reasons behind things.

[@ValiceTrance]

I have self studied music theory quite a bit and this is probably the best video I have found so far! Tysm for this!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are very welcome my friend 😊

[@jessicathomas1185]

I attended a performing arts school and was in the music magnet. They had me taking music theory 8th grade - 12th grade and I never truly understood the class until I saw this video.Wish I had this back then. Thanks for this video!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are so welcome! Thanks for the kind words.😎

[@ieshankashyap4585]

Literally No One: KZbin at 3 in the morning: You Need To Learn Music Theory. guess I'll die

[@itorodog]

this is so me rn HAHAHAHHA its 3 am where im at and im trying to learn this crap HAHHAHAHAHA

[@antiRuka]

2am :)

[@kasraofnxtlvlshtfwthesound3229]

ITORODOG it’s literally three am 😂

[@vantablack2565]

I read this in George Carlin’s voice

[@danilobatista1329]

Gosh, Exactly same here! 3am London

[@dragsterified]

love the nonchalant attitude towards the difficulty level of music theory when its been such a problem for me to learn in the past

[@josephbrozyniak5458]

My brain started to boil around 56 minutes but wow. I’ve been playing for years and this connected some dots for me. Awesome!

[@pianoplayer3002]

*Me*: Looks up “h musical note” *KZbin*: YOU NEED TO LEARN MUSIC THEORY

[@willmartin3067]

The note H is actually a thing

[@pianoplayer3002]

How would you play it *without* playing A an octave higher or using microtonal tuning on an actual instrument?

[@willmartin3067]

It is, rather confusingly, another name for the note B, used in some Central European countries

[@pianoplayer3002]

That’s not in the English naming system, hence why everything I’ve mentioned *is meant to* be in English as well.

[@willmartin3067]

@@pianoplayer3002 yes, but it is still interesting how other countries have named these notes

[@csselement]

I've tried learning music theory 100 different ways. In one of my college classes, it became very obvious when the 'circle of fifths' lesson clicked right away for some and never quite for others. Every time it's the same story, "I will teach you how easy it is!" yet it's become apparent to me that the people who find this "easy" have some different kind of memory or brain wiring. It's not that I don't understand the logic; it just takes so much time to compute and count it all out - like I need a scratch pad to see where I am. I love music and love to play music - and have always wanted to grasp theory to truly channel what's inside my heart and mind - but I just don't think it's in the cards. Although I'm starting to realize that quite a few of the artists that inspire me probably comprehend just as little theory as I do.

[@chunnil4898]

Set yourself small, attainable goals - like individual songs (church music lol; Amazing Grace, Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus... songs that are simple and enjoyable so that you are encouraged to continue). I learned theory over the course of a few years, with a saxophone teacher, playing constantly. It requires dedication and resources (if no teacher, then some more dedication). You can do it, especially if your heart and mind are driving you forward. I believe in driven people =) I had a teacher for saxophone, but I've taught myself piano and I'm better at piano than sax at this point. You can do it!!!

[@chunnil4898]

Its great to take in lectures and listen and learn... but unless you are playing an instrument so that you can really process/make sense of/HEAR what the HELL is going on.... its not going to be as meaningful.

[@JohnBojorquez]

When something like that happens you need to associate every step of the theory that you´re learning to your principal instrument. Correctly locate the notes, and you should be good then

[@dragonicbladex7574]

@@JohnBojorquez Does that still apply if you produce music digitally?

[@alfredtaylor1076]

"Modes...modes are just as simple as everything else" Me - "dang"

[@neatpicker644]

SAME

[@ricardocastillo5485]

I am the opposite of most of the comments here. As a guitar player, I don't know how I'd get by without at least a decent understanding of these concepts. I'd be paralyzed. Even playing by ear, I don't know how I'd ever figure out how "adult chords" work, on my own. I'd still just be playing simple power chords and triads or stumbling across stuff that sounds good by accident. And I'd still mostly be working in just pentatonic and blues scales. This stuff is great and should never be feared or scorned, only embraced.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Theory was my gateway too.

[@peterfuchs187]

I'm an organist myself so I am also familiar with music theory. But I have 2 guitarist friends who don't know anything about music theory and they are exceptionally good players. It seems like playing everything by ear can work well. I still wouldn't recommend it.

[@sou_desu8587]

There are "adult chords"??? That explains the family chords

[@akhmedthemerchant4741]

@@sou_desu8587 I'm pretty sure he means more complicated chords and not your basic cowboy chords

[@mxxiira]

i FINALLY finished this video with notes and everything, AND I understand it. Im so happy for myself. Now Im gonna study my notes and get it down pack ahhhj

[@slushpuppie19]

"You may be asking yourself why there are different spacings between each note" Ross, you understand me already! We're gonna get along fine.

[@mintytran7033]

This is the only time where the auto-generated captions are actually helpful

[@sarelito9202]

I have played the piano for many years, starting as a young child, and often wished I would be given the answer to many of the things explained here, with such clarity and SENSE! thank you! Finally filled the gap!

[@jamfoodreviews2945]

Introduction and Musical Distance 0:25 Scales 3:13 Scale Degrees (Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor 7:38 Interval 11:36 Melody and Transposition 22:10 Major and Minor Chords 25:49 Chord Progression 28:49 Roman Numerals and Chord Transposition 32:27 The Tritone 35:22 Other Types of Chords and Their Function 40:14 Inverting Interval 48:40 Inverting Chord 53:33 Circle of Fifths 56:22 Modulation and Borrowing 1:03:11 Modes 1:08:53

[@lessthanpinochet]

The opening of Close to the Edge by Yes is written in the harmonic scale. The Mars Volta used it quite often on their debut album Deloused in the Comatorium on several songs like Eriatarka, Roulette Dares, Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt etc

[@CarnivalVillage]

Thank Ross, just purchased the book and on my second viewing of this channel. I am a retired engineer, and teaching myself to play the guitar. This one hour lesson on music theory and approach is brilliant and very helpful. I am inspired!!!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

I am very glad you like it my friend! I think this style of teaching is good for engineering minds, I do software engineering myself now too.

[@uchihaitachi-ko9rf]

I am not qualified into any musical education(have took some short ones befor but didnt work well). All i’ve been doing is find pieces of information on the internet by my self but those are always just small pieces. After watching this lesson, i’m fully understood what is happening Sincerely thank you for this video. I didn’t expect some one would cover everything like this

[@sergiogonzales6243]

uchiha itachi Only for some stuff “Ask and you shall receive”

[@ule2300]

This is without doubt the best music theory video on KZbin. You did what all the other fake-ass-ebook-salesmen tried to do. Thank you for this 🙏🏽

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are most welcome my friend. :) I do write e-books, but I am trying my best to avoid the weird marketing gimmicks. All of my big videos are free to the world, because I really want to spread the knowledge. Thanks for the awesome comment!

[@jillspangler5139]

Wonderful! Wonderful! I know what I need to do! Study

[@abrahamcoriat1979]

@@rossthemusicandguitarteacher Happy people like you exist, thank you

[@whatabouttheearth]

Rick Beato: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZLbXpWug5iHbqc

[@braydenfriesen6654]

I will watch this everyday before I go to bed so I can learn this and apply it to my production. As a drummer of 10 years, I've never really bothered to really learn music theory in a way that I should.

[@kevinqwen221]

I really like when he says "It's pretty easy".

[@drrprakash14]

I bought your book- brilliantly written. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thank you so much! It warms my heart to hear this. :) Do you have any requests for lessons?

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Please note that the title says "Understand", not "Master". :) It takes a lifetime to master music.

[@TheDruidKing]

allmighty30011 If you thought one youtube vid was even trying to cover the full content of a Doctorate then you ain't ever gonna get one. This is a really good introduction.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

If you troll on my channel one more time, I will ban you. If you find an error in my video, point it out. But if you show up just saying vague things, and not proving them, then you are not only a worthless troll, but you are also going to lose access to my channel and this video.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Point out where my video has incorrect information. It doesn't.

[@ultrahighgain412]

This is still one of the best western music theory instructional videos on KZbin.

[@KabooM1067]

So simple and easy to follow without complicating the concepts too much. Thanks!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are welcome! Thank you!

[@pedrothechild859]

thanks for putting this up. It's weird that simple and intuitive music theory explanations are still as rare as they are.

[@pedrothechild859]

Also @32:01 you wrote the green progression as 3-4-4-5 but you played 3-3-4-4. No big deal tho.

[@ClavisRa]

Saving this to my "watch later" list where it can safely languish forever, but I can momentarily enjoy the rush of my good intentions to edify myself and grow.

[@totoro_0__0_3]

Relatable.

[@saphkai3755]

btw did you watch the whole vid,is it useful,did you understand,is it good?i didnt watch it yet and want to be a guitarist,but i dont lnow how hard and how much time it needs,so u have any idea ?

[@utsavmanandharz156]

Music theory teacher: come on this isn't hard, it's not rocket science! Rocket science teacher: come on this isn't hard, it's not music theory!

[@cynditran2036]

Had to purchase the book because you broke it down in such away that something complicated seemed much more easier to absorb. thanks so much! You just created a music monster! LOL

[@guitarblade1891]

The way you explained scale degrees finally helped me understand them. I really don't know why it never clicked. It wasn't even an elaborate explanation it was very simple

[@BTonTV]

This has taught me SOOO much! Thank you for posting this! I understand things I never knew how badly I needed to know. You got to the point, and laid everything out so clearly. Thanks again!

[@DrMarathon]

Now I've heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you dont really care for music, do you? It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor falls, the major lifts The baffled king composing Hallelujah My mind can't help drifting away to these lyrics.

[@williamreaves3780]

Thank you Ross! Finally a teacher who knows what they're talking about, and keeps it simple. I keep coming back to theory because it seems to make more sense each time I do. Plus my singing and playing guitar always improves as a result of a little more musical understanding. Keep up the good work. We all appreciate you!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thanks so much! I am going to do lots of little videos based on this one, trying to keep it simple. Check it out if you get the chance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpuchYV7msplodk

[@truelifemotivationYT]

finally a useful video in a recommended section. Thank you sir. I love you.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Why thank you!

[@yowza9638]

@janis vogel Love can be platonic.

[@blankblank8609]

I have little knowledge of music theory. Thanks to this video I have a better understanding of music theory, This video really helps a lot. Thank you so much to whomever created this video.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are most welcome!

[@madcovers3817]

Ive been in band for 5 years and most of this id never even heard of! I feel so much more educated this will help alot! Thanks

[@scottdehaan5864]

Complete beginner here to learn something over the pandemic. Thanks very much! I was with you right up until chord progressions. Will keep re-watching and researching.

[@captainsmileyface8495]

I am sort of a beginner at all this. I've been in a high school choir class for 3 years, but always messed around and never learned shit lol. I am learning so much right now in the first 30 minutes. I'd recommend taking these notes on paper to go back to them any time you want. My simple understanding of the chord progressions is; keeping the same scale from a note and playing new chords at different spots of that same scale, meanwhile following the chord structure of hitting every other note until completing the three notes. Hope this helps. :)

[@scottdehaan5864]

@@captainsmileyface8495 Thanks very much! I kind of understand haha. Best wishes

[@Pim3211]

I understand everything, yet I will have/want to revisit this every single day in chunks and practice it until I have it memorized through my practice routines. It is a lot to process because it is relevant to everything :-) This video filled loads of gaps in my basic knowledge of music theory. Well done sir!

[@clayb.122]

I have been off an on playing guitar for 22 years (mostly off) I recently started playing again a few months back and have been stuck in a minor pentatonic rut. I wish that I had this video 20 years ago. So many mental bombshells to someone who never took any music lessons. I just ordered your book on Amazon and am looking forward to breaking through the barriers that have caused me to put down my guitar in the past.

[@Shmurda-]

This is a really great video, I've been dreading learning music theory and in 20 minutes I've already understood a lot, and I would suggest watching this video with your instrument. Also writing some things down would help too

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

I apologize for Alex Taylor everyone! He has been banned from my channel. Feel free to ask questions. :)

[@frostykilla1]

I believe theres a mistake in the video when you bring up the chromatic scale at 18:00 you say that c to db(Flat) is a minor2 when a normal minor 2nd is just c to D. Can you annotate the video or correct me if im wrong

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Hi Frosty! Quick answer for you. :) C to D is a M2, because it is one full step. C to Db is a m2, being a half step. :)

[@badmannerism]

Ross: I agree with Alex Taylor and say this in reply to him....... Typically it begins with something obvious and moves on quickly till confusion is all that is left. This man (you Ross) is no exception, he begins with: " here is our Swahili alphabet" and then drones on for an hour in Swahili. All the other Swahili fluent Swahili speakers say Bravo Maestro that it always true! He has forgotten the time when he did not understand this stuff. That is not to say I don't, I did my homework. At the same time we need to understand anyone who thinks one hour flat, done; is kidding themselves. He knows that, we know that, no offense meant or taken. The presenter shows us he has mastered the language of music and may sell some books.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Nobody is going to master this material in an hour. This video is meant to be a good overview, to get you moving in the right direction. Cheers!

[@DelTangBrav]

It's his parents who should be apologising - when I see that kind of idiot I block them from commenting on my channel before they even arrive. Interesting point is they don't know they're blocked as they're the only one who can see their own rantings - they probably wonder why other idiots don't respond.

[@Billbone1982]

Thank you so much for uploading this! Before today the only music theory I knew was "The Circle of Fifths" and basic chord progressions. You have opened me up to so much more in the music world. I know my songwriting will be able to grow in many different ways that I wasn't aware of before watching this awesome video. Thanks again for opening up new possibilities for my music.

[@TacticsTechniquesandProcedures]

Many things in life are extremely simple operations which, when seen as a whole, are difficult (not impossible) to master. I recommend learning which notes are a 1/2 step away from each other and then just looking at what notes are in that scale and learning those scales. I have never found it easy or useful to learn W and H patterns for a scale.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

WH patterns only good to know conceptually, the best way to memorize it all is with key signatures.

[@lightninginmyhands4878]

This is a great course. I’m coupling this with Rick Beato’s KZbin channel (and his book) and the Udemy class Intro to Music Theory

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thanks! Rick is solid. Please share this with your friends 😎

[@IndigenousMonk]

MAN the modes at the end finally make sense... using different scales in the same key is a game changer, thanks alot for your work..

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Much love and you are welcome :)

[@TheTechnicalNirl]

Wall of text incoming, but the gist is a 'thank you for the video' and my story. I've always wanted to learn how music works, as it has been an integral part of my life since my parents put headphones up to my mom's belly when she was pregnant (cheesy, I know, but hey, two years later a bit of Mozart with those same headphones completely covering the sides of my head still managed to make me sit still for half an hour). My dad sings in a university choir, and plays (well, fiddles with) the banjo. And I have always had a guitar at home. Yet I could never really learn how music works (he's not a very good teacher, bless him). I went as far as buying a textbook a few years ago, but it delved into pretty complex musical theory stuff fairly soon. Or, better said, it just became too complex for me, not having any tutors walking me through the steps. Thinking about it, I got lost with it even before I got to the parts you explain in this video. KZbin is also just full of 'learn to play the guitar' videos that start off with 'here's how you do an A minor chord, it's so easy, look!'. I really think these people should be ashamed of the titles they put on their videos. They are teaching nothing. It was only a few weeks ago that I stumbled across one Steve Stine here on the platform, who actually managed to explain the fundamentals to me, and now I'm seeing you go a little more deeply into it, but still in an idiot-proof manner. So now I've started what I'm hoping will be a life-long journey. 30 minutes a day, for now entirely spent understanding and memorizing scales. Now I can pick up the guitar and practice, because I have some knowledge of WHY things are how they are. And when I forget, I'll be sure to come back to your video for a quick refresher. My brain does not allow me to 'just learn as you go'. And there are others like me. So in the name of all those people, as stated in the disclaimer up top, thank you very much for the video. It was clearly a whole lot of work.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thanks for such a kind and well thought out message. :)

[@SirLancevrot]

About "idio proof manner". I can't watch this. Can you recommend someone who knows what he is talking about and does it in a systematic logical way? This guy starts to talk about scales without even introducing to what is a note and half note, why are there different scales, no system, no logic, no history. I could read same things in Wikipedia and understand same thing (or nothing in this case). Thx fo the video anyway, at least someone is trying.

[@mindzai_glass8993]

El Viral if you haven't found anything yet there is a channel called "move forward guitar". I would say that is by far the most systematic group of lessons. Detailed lessons that are very easy to comprehend. There arme so many things to learn. It takes quite awhile to retain some info. Good luck

[@SirLancevrot]

thx

[@JohnDAvery-tf4td]

El Viral, as a retired professional multi-instrumentalist, I think I can safely say that Ross developed this video for the benefit of those guitarists who can't read music but who nonetheless want to increase their understanding of music theory. No, he didn't explain what a half-note is and he didn't get into music history. But he also didn't explain a host of other topics that, although part and parcel of music theory, have more to do with how to interpret written music than with understanding how scales, intervals, chords, and modes are actually constructed. That a viewer stumbling across this video might be a rank beginner who doesn't even know what half-notes or scales are is in no way the presenter's fault. As for "this guy" not "know[ing] what he is talking about," Ross actually did a very good job of providing brief overviews of increasingly complex topics and he did it without writing a single note in standard notation or resorting to tablature. My hat's off to him.

[@fightingsheep1640]

I was doing very well until the lesson started.

[@jugglerjoe]

Everyone was. I'm glad I learned music theory correctly and not from this video.

[@papuhdave9643]

@@jugglerjoe do you know a better video? It would be really nice to have different explanations

[@eshaalakhtar9911]

Joe_1984 Wdym correctly😂 The guy isn’t teaching wrong

[@cherondavis2603]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@gener6998]

I watched the whole 1 hour and 15 minutes and I doubt there is one thing I didn't catch, honestly you are the best teacher I have stumbled upon you are amazing please keep up the good work ROSS!

[@PrimordialNightmare]

I ... don't understand it. Like literally nothing. I don't think it's you, the comment section is more or less filled with lots of people that are very thankfull. I have the suspicion that I am simply bad at understanding music theory xD I was starting hopefully but as hard as I try: I don't see the concepts. I mean: I think I can cite what a chord or a melody is. Maybe even a scale - however, I kind of get lost trying to memorize what scale is what and how they're built. To be honest: a lot of the systems and concept appear as 'made up' I am unable to see a lot of the internal logic. Then again, I don't think it is due to your style of teaching. There are too many people greatly benefitting from this video. I'm now halfway through and more or less completely fell out. But I will keep this video definetly in my watch later list to come back sometime.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Try an examine what you are currently playing. What are the chords? What is the scale those chords are built from?

[@ninifire4282]

PrimordialNightmare it’s not you. I’m the same way. People learn differently. Try learning theory from step 1 and even kids books because they simplify things much better. This video mushes so much together at once. I use kid sources for learning many things, like spanish. I need to be told A B C very simple. I think you need to start back at the very beginning and be led through it.

[@robertkingsland2574]

you're not internalizing the scales or the knowledge because you don't trust or believe in the knowledge which is why you should maybe get a teacher. what I find in music is that if I'm not internalizing the knowledge I just remember it mechanically through my fingers and keep playing it until my mind grasps it. its best sometimes if you know something is essential but are hesitant to learn it, to just learn it and ask questions later. if you don't know any songs or anything really on guitar then yeah scales will probably never mean much to you.

[@alexanderlanderveil2138]

Got the same problem unfortunately. I simply don't understand more than the circle of fifths. I'm actually keeping this video for later but right now I'm trying to focus on reading sheet music and so on and so forth.

[@munzutai]

What you need to understand is that music theory is a descriptive discipline, not an imperative one. Music theory doesn't tell you how to do music, instead it just tries to _describe_ how music might work and _simply puts labels on things, and gives them names_ . That might be why you feel like some things are just made up. Because in a way they are. We just decided to give them names because they exist and they seem to be common/useful sounds and concepts of our music.

[@kat_130]

Me : okay i can do this *10 minutes later Me : okay enough for today :')

[@dragonicbladex7574]

Howd it go?

[@donaldmistry]

Actully that's what you are supposed to do. Learn it in chunks...

[@Ghostly-00]

I know how you feel. I'm 20 minutes in and I'm taking a break lol

[@loyaluwang4228]

40 minutes in and I have a headache but I understood it.

[@kmimiteh]

Totally!, Well, just a short break (and this is how I end up here reading comments instead of watching the video). Well, if people can learn this I can do it too... bit I don't know how start and how... how? XD

[@bogger25]

This tutorial makes the most sense to me. I've watched about 5 series on Music theory and they left confused and hopeless. Thank you for sharing this.

[@KS-qm7vh]

thank you so much for this video was so helpful i’m teaching music theory for an absolute beginner really well explained anda really good start for anyone looking to learn music theory

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful. :) If, by chance, you are interested in soundtrack music, I would love for you to listen to my new composition: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWXKdn-im7VmhbM . No worries if not, happy practice!

[@skyscall]

Great video, before I knew any of this I was just dumping random notes in whatever semitone they sounded nice, rather than staying in any form of key or bothering with a chord progression. Nice to know!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Glad I could help. :)

[@stephaniejade7056]

Again, a compliment from someone who already understands "notes" "semitones" "keys" "chords" "progression"... excellent.

[@jzarfos]

I played clarinet, saxophone and guitar for over 15 years and didn't know most of this. I feel a weird mix of regret and satisfaction. Thanks

[@Jagdalev]

Thanks for the great explanation. One error though--- at 48:12, the dim7 chord should show intervals as 1, ♭3, ♭5, double flat7 (enharmonically 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♮6 which you did mention), and the top line should read 1 2 b3 4 b5 6 bb7

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Good catch! :) Thanks for the heads up.

[@utuber3476]

@@rossthemusicandguitarteacher please tell me you put an annotation to fix this error?

[@James-nv1wf]

The most difficult part of learning all theory is getting lost creatively playing the new theory you do learn.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You speak the truth. You have to take some time to let it all sink in, and that means playing the ideas!

[@jesusgonzales8621]

All these comments are right on exactly me....I'm a 50year old man.been writing, singing, performing ,and I never even thought bot learning the theory..when u think u get by with what you know then YEARS FLASH BY and realize what if I would've studied this along the way...sometimes we are where we are because that's our choice...music is a gift one can have or achieve if u want it but it is a treasure when you pass it on to others either in a lesson or a song for one to enjoy listening to ..

[@PremJay]

Excellent video. You are a great teacher. Your explanations were so clear. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Of course! Thanks for the comment. :)

[@kingX777]

Every time I try to watch im always like alright cool this is pretty interesting 15 minutes later 😪

[@souravnandy6081]

so true😅😅

[@sarojtha]

Simply awesome. I never learnt music and dont play any instrument but going for a keyboard and found it superb. Grab it in chunks and digest it. Wow this is.

[@7Bytez]

I gotta save this video and come back. Watched the whole thing, got confused about 15 minutes in but I will study it. I've been playing piano and guitar for 22 of my 26 years. But I'm not good with instantly knowing what chord or note to go to next. I still have to play around with chords to get my sound. So I mainly need to learn because I want to be able to know what chord I need to go to next on the first try without playing around. I'm gunna look into your book. My birthday is Nov 10 and told my wife I wanted some books. So I'll have to add yours to my birthday list lol. Thank you. I'm sure I'll comment again when I start studying the video and (hopefully) book more. Also how long is the wait for a free journal? I put my email in and it said thanks or something.

[@threem1085]

My God. . . 22 years?? I have been playin for a collective 2 years (spread out my whole life because I pick it up then lose motivation and drop it). I will never be good ;( I don't even know the basics. What do I do? I'm running out of time before i have to go to college and high school makes it so hard for me to practice this stuff with all of the bs work 👎

[@zain4019]

Loading . . . You have time. Really. If you just set aside 40 minutes a day, which is very possible, and never miss a day (seriously NEVER), then you’ll be flying high and learning so much.

[@Piecesrestonthabed]

I think the problem with learning music theory is that it is a type of formal logic. Some people get it right away, but I've found that being taught as if I were a 5-year-old is the best way for me to grasp underlying concepts. Anyways, I thought the video was helpful up to a certain point, way better than a lot of videos on the subject. Thanks

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are welcome!

[@niki-dh4bx]

Piecesrestonthabed i think the fact that I learned basic music theory starting as a 3 year old has the concept implanted in my head, maybe I just forgot i knew that I knew it? Because the most part was immensely easy though the video itself is really helpful for touching up

[@maggotmeatballz2692]

Formal logic my ass. It's a bunch of names for things that you have to memorize, I was first of my class at Logic, this crap in the other hand does my head in.

[@subhiksha4049]

THANKS A LOT FOR THIS VIDEO...I WAS SEARCHING FOR A PERFECT VIDEO LIKE THIS ONE TO LEARN MUSIC THEORY FOR A VERY LONG TIME...

[@marklilly9161]

The problem with this video is that it starts in the middle of the subject, explaining how scales and chords work. I want to start at the beginning: what is a scale; in fact, what is a note?

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Check out the free mobile version of it for that info! www.musictheoryinonelesson.com

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

@J Guy excellent comment!!

[@evening_kovacs]

it might help if you learn to play an instrument -- guitar (strumming, etc) or piano. then 6 months later once you can play several songs and wonder how are chords constructed then come back to music theory.

[@ukuleleuniverse]

I teach basic music concepts to my ukulele students. You have introduced a lot of information, and quite well for folks who are familiar with it. The issue is lack of interaction, discussion, when attempting to learn from videos. I believe students benefit from private instruction that allows Q & A and starting at the beginning.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

@@ukuleleuniverse this is why anyone can get Skype lessons: rossthemusicteacher.as.me/

[@boomboxtv4082]

I need to watch this video everyday until it gets stuck in my head

[@gregcharles6528]

Ross, I really like your content. As a teacher (not of music) myself, I think your ability to deliver complex content is fantastic. I'm a fan of yours forever!!! Thanks again!!! -GC, Ph.D.

[@rockydocky7541]

Why do I feel like I need to check out “Music Theory In One Lesson” on Amazon? Weird..

[@KingSlimeProductions]

So far I'm on intervals and my brain is about to implode. I'm definitely not gonna give up though! Thanks for this video, so far it's a lot of help!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Of course!

[@GoldenBoyAdal]

Good to know I ain't the only one!! hahaha.. But it's true, practice makes perfect and understanding

[@iamthemaskyouwear]

I’m in the same boat here. I’m going from having no previous knowledge in music whatsoever to trying my hardest to understand this. Trying to read and understand music is so confusing, but I’m not going to give up!

[@dawanixtv9768]

I'm a newbie especially in classical music ..This lesson help me a lot..Thank u very much.

[@JulietteJemm]

Got seriously lost towards the end >-< but thank you

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

You are very welcome! Just let it sink in. :)

[@dylanovandekerckhove9566]

Me too i don’t understand the Tritone thing

[@EctoMorpheus]

@@dylanovandekerckhove9566 I understand what tritones are and how to resolve them, but I really don't get what he tries to illustrate at 39:15. Yes, we can play both the C chord and the A chord with the notes in the C major scale, but we can also play Dm and probably many more which he didn't point out. I really don't see how all that is linked to the tritone?

[@utuber3476]

@@EctoMorpheus Ross please answer this

[@utuber3476]

@@rossthemusicandguitarteacher please answer ectomorpheus question??

[@BoWSkittlez]

11:19 My favorite thing about melodic minor is that it's essentially the equivalent major but the third note is flatted. Or something like that...

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

3rd and 6th 😀

[@stuartarnold4495]

This was a really valuable lesson that helps me join all the loose information I have learned over the last couple of years. I wish I had found this lesson sooner. My interest is purely hobby learning to play the guitar for keeping my brain active since my retirement. So thank you Ross.

[@CreatureofCreation]

Hey Ross, im actually an old student of yours not that you remember me by any means. cool to see where youve made it in a few short years

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Jeff Roberts I do actually remember! Thanks for saying hi.😎

[@ogloc2141]

I wonder if there's a book where I could read up on this. Preferably in one concise lesson.

[@asqmate]

If there was such a book, I would hope that this video author would intersperse an ad for said book every 3 minutes or so

[@mmmmkay4773]

There is one at Barnes & Nobles. Called Music Theory or something similiar. It's a yellow book.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

😂🙏

[@Recovery_Station]

Watching this vid while being completely drunk, I finally got how to count whole and half steps! Kudos to you man for your way of presenting such complex things as musical theory.

[@M4RZ1Z]

I came here to learn how to draw music in a DAW so I can start producing music.. Yet I didn't expect that I'd have to crack the Da Vinci Code to start making music

[@abbysalamanca1593]

sameeee

[@Disturbed7100]

This is all very good information, i'm finally understanding stuff. But what I can't work out is how to apply it to my guitar playing.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

I am coming out with a new series about just that! Check out my playlist "The Grand Fretboard Experiment". It is new, but I will be adding to it regularly.

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpmtpXSBpd-erKc

[@UltimateRaven41]

www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=FULL&scch=E&scchnam=Major&get2=Get&t=0&choice=1 here use this,thank to this Site i've learned about 40 scales from time to time!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Cool link! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@georgeaye7535]

There really only is one scale, the diatonic scale, all others are derivatives@@UltimateRaven41

[@decima5music23]

just what i was looking for, thanks!

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Of course. :)

[@hernanmunoz2149]

All this stuff is in Chinese

[@ChrisChan126]

I'm Chinese and I got lost too

[@Grant_Michael_Layman]

What

[@lightningthebeast]

Its the dark corrupted and twisted version of Chinese

[@bindakawhoon4848]

其实我认为中文比乐理难多了

[@glennpallad9637]

我觉得像阿拉伯语