Ask Fatjack

jeffro · Post by **jeffro** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:27 am

How do I tell what key a song (or part of a song) is in?

And, how do I know what chords fit together well when I am writing?

Speenis · Post by **Speenis** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 10:25 am

Yo Josh dog, I know someone asked a similar question, but... would taking a music theory type guitar class in college help a novice??? I know you aren't in college, so I'll write out the course description for ya.

MUS 1200 Group Guitar for the Non-Major
Basic guitar skills: note reading, chords, accompaniment, variety of musical styles. Includes rhythmic and aural training, theory and ensemble playing. Students must provide acoustic guitars.

It sounds pretty cool to me. It's nice to see that they have this type of course at my college. So let me know what ya think bro.

fatjack · Post by **fatjack** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:43 am

BigSpeen3436 wrote:Yo Josh dog, I know someone asked a similar question, but... would taking a music theory type guitar class in college help a novice??? I know you aren't in college, so I'll write out the course description for ya.

MUS 1200 Group Guitar for the Non-Major
Basic guitar skills: note reading, chords, accompaniment, variety of musical styles. Includes rhythmic and aural training, theory and ensemble playing. Students must provide acoustic guitars.

It sounds pretty cool to me. It's nice to see that they have this type of course at my college. So let me know what ya think bro.

i would take it, in fact i probably have to take that class next year. i'll tell you the same thing i told the other guy, it couldn't hurt

fatjack · Post by **fatjack** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:45 am

elijah77jc wrote:lol that's kinda the answer i expected

to clarify, is it just a chord progression? from what i can tell it goes
A, D, B
A, D, F#m, G

is that right or am i way off?

this is the actual progression that is implied by the verse:

A, D5, C, B5, A, D5, D/F#, G

fatjack · Post by **fatjack** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:47 am

jeffro wrote:How do I tell what key a song (or part of a song) is in?

And, how do I know what chords fit together well when I am writing?

that answer will require a few AIM conversations. i could write a long thing that explains everything you need to know, but it would be much easier for you to IM me and i can find out what you already know that is necessary. plus, im too lazy to write a page and a half

nugsta25 · Post by **nugsta25** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:56 am

I would love to ask a question, if I knew shit about anything related to the guitar besides how to play songs. It's sad to say I know. Where do I need to start?? Take a class on campus?? Lessons that I can't afford?? internet?? Any help is appreciated fatjack

Speenis · Post by **Speenis** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:23 pm

fatjack wrote:
BigSpeen3436 wrote:Yo Josh dog, I know someone asked a similar question, but... would taking a music theory type guitar class in college help a novice??? I know you aren't in college, so I'll write out the course description for ya.

MUS 1200 Group Guitar for the Non-Major
Basic guitar skills: note reading, chords, accompaniment, variety of musical styles. Includes rhythmic and aural training, theory and ensemble playing. Students must provide acoustic guitars.

It sounds pretty cool to me. It's nice to see that they have this type of course at my college. So let me know what ya think bro.
i would take it, in fact i probably have to take that class next year. i'll tell you the same thing i told the other guy, it couldn't hurt

Thanks Josh, thats what I figured. I think it shall be easy cuz I know how to play, I just don't know anything about theory and stuff.

EDIT: wow I called you Jose

DMBFan63 · Post by **DMBFan63** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:57 pm

Thanks josh, i schedueled to take music theory 1 and 2 next year(junior year in hs) so i'm hoping it'll give me some enlightenment and then i can move on to tough music theory classes and learn the whole thing and be like you

jeffro · Post by **jeffro** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:44 pm

fatjack wrote:
jeffro wrote:How do I tell what key a song (or part of a song) is in?

And, how do I know what chords fit together well when I am writing?
that answer will require a few AIM conversations. i could write a long thing that explains everything you need to know, but it would be much easier for you to IM me and i can find out what you already know that is necessary. plus, im too lazy to write a page and a half

Cool deal. I'll see if I can catch you, but it may be awhile because spring break starts Friday for me!

thejoe · Post by **thejoe** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:47 pm

fatjack wrote:
crash_in_to_me wrote:
fatjack wrote:
crash_in_to_me wrote:whats an E#

derp da der
grrr...

im so desparate that i will actually answer

F
ahahhahaha

well, on a more serious note...

make me a harmony for a chord progression that goes.. Em7 => G => D => A
what type of harmony would you like?

somthing that goes good with wonderwall

fatjack · Post by **fatjack** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:30 am

nugsta25 wrote:I would love to ask a question, if I knew shit about anything related to the guitar besides how to play songs. It's sad to say I know. Where do I need to start?? Take a class on campus?? Lessons that I can't afford?? internet?? Any help is appreciated fatjack

classes definitely help, but i woud suggest finding someone you know (in person of course) that is knowledgeable about music theory, because its always easier to learn with someone you are comfortable with. i know i learned more from my brother than any other source.

fatjack · Post by **fatjack** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:35 am

crash_in_to_me wrote:
fatjack wrote:
crash_in_to_me wrote:
fatjack wrote:
crash_in_to_me wrote:whats an E#

derp da der
grrr...

im so desparate that i will actually answer

F
ahahhahaha

well, on a more serious note...

make me a harmony for a chord progression that goes.. Em7 => G => D => A
what type of harmony would you like?
somthing that goes good with wonderwall

hmmm, i was actually asking something i guess you didn't know about...

are you basically looking for another guitar part that would go along with that progression? you may not realize it, but what you wrote down is harmony. chord progressions are, in themselves, harmony. if you want to harmonize further with progression, you can just do different voicings of the chords or add further tones.

DropD-MB · Post by **DropD-MB** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:06 am

Did you ever post a cover of Hopeful Heresy? And if so what is the verse tab that you used? Did you use the one TimReynolds.com?
I having trouble with the second lick on the verse:

Code: Select all

e----------------------------------------------------
B--0-1----1--1----1-----1---0-1---3----------1-----1-
G--0------0--0----2-----2---0-------2---2----2-----2-
D----------------------------------------------------
A-------2------------3----------------2---------3----
E-----3---------1--------------3-----------1---------

--------------------------------------This part above

two_stepper10 · Post by **two_stepper10** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:53 am

Jeffro...to short answer when you asked how to know what chords fit together well when you write, there is a method called the three chord theory. Deals with finding the I, IV, V chords from the one you are starting with and those are the ones that will go together nicely. Im sure Fatjack can help you out on aim, just figured I'd throw in my knowlegde. You could always search the web for that and I'm sure you'd be able to find something, or free feel to aim me as well if you want more explanation!

Trippin Hillbilly · Post by **Trippin Hillbilly** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:55 am

What's the deal with Fatjack..........your name isn't even Jack, Josh!