Curt Sheller • All Things `Ukulele and Jazz Guitar

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Theory Lessons

What is Music Theory?

It's more like Music Fact!

Theory is the body of principles behind music. It includes scales and chord building, intervals, progressions, resolution, harmony, motion, power, color, chord substitution, keys and time signatures, rhythm, melody, etc.

64 Lesson(s)

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Basic Blues Progressions in A Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of A major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7A: Published: February 20, 2013, 2:48 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 8:27 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in Bb Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of Bb major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7Bb: Published: February 20, 2013, 2:51 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 10:20 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in C Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of C major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7C: Published: February 20, 2013, 11:53 am | Updated: May 7, 2013, 8:26 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in D Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of D major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7D: Published: February 20, 2013, 11:55 am | Updated: May 7, 2013, 8:26 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in E Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of E major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7E: Published: February 20, 2013, 2:49 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 8:27 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in F Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of F major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7F: Published: February 20, 2013, 2:50 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 10:20 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Basic Blues Progressions in G Major

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of G major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

UL42-7G: Published: February 20, 2013, 11:53 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:51 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Chord Spelling - An Alternate Approach

An alternate approach to determining the chord tones of any chord. Bottom-line is, it's the notes that make the chord - not the shape. A C chord is C, E, G,. Not this or that shape.

ML02: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 30, 2013, 11:02 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of A

Common chord progressions for the key of A.

UL47c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:45 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:41 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of Ab

Common chord progressions for the key of Ab.

UL55c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of B

Common chord progressions for the key of B.

UL49c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of Bb

Common chord progressions for the key of Bb.

UL53c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of C Major

Common chord progressions in C Major.

UL44c: Published: January 25, 2013, 1:20 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:41 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of C#

Common chord progressions for the key of C#.

UL51c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of Cb

Common chord progressions for the key of Cb.

UL58c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:48 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of D

Common chord progressions for the key of D.

UL46c: Published: March 1, 2013, 7:13 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:45 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of Db

Common chord progressions for the key of Db.

UL56c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:48 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of E

Common chord progressions for the key of E.

UL48c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:46 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of Eb

Common chord progressions for the key of Eb.

UL54c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of F

Common chord progressions for the key of F.

UL52c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of F#

Common chord progressions for the key of F#.

UL50c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:47 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of G

Common chord progressions for the key of G.

UL45c: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:42 pm | Updated: April 5, 2013, 8:10 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Demystifying Cut Time by Chuck Anderson

Cut Time is a source of confusion for many musicians. What exactly does it mean and how do you apply it?

ML04: Published: April 20, 2010, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:36 pm | Author: Chuck Anderson

Ear Training

Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody and harmony.

ML03: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:35 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Enharmonic Equivalents

An Enharmonic Equivalent is where a musical pitch can have different names depending on the context in which it is functioning. An example is G# produces the same pitch as Ab.

UL19: Published: September 1, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 19, 2013, 3:11 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Basic Concepts

Harmonic Analysis is the process of determining the root movement of chords within a chord progression, the chord types that are used as well as identifying tonal centers. This root movement can be determined and categorized using one of six harmonic principles and the harmonized chord charts reference in the lessons. These six harmonic principles are covered in the lessons of this series.

MLRMAe-2: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:17 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Chromatic

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Chromatic harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-8: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:20 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Conclusion

HARMONIC ANALYSIS for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution explored the six harmonic principles for analyzing chord progressions and songs using tradition tonic-dominant harmony and the scale modes.

MLRMAe-17: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:27 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Cycles

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Cycles harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-9: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:09 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:38 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Full Diatonic

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Full Diatonic harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-4: Published: April 6, 2012, 8:53 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Internal Modulation

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Internal Modulation harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-6: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:12 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Introduction

Harmonic Analysis (HA) is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression, sequence, composition or song. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and has a particular chord type.

MLRMAe-1: Published: April 9, 2012, 2:33 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Major and Minor Harmonized Chord Charts

Major and Minor Harmonized Chord Charts used for while doing a Harmonic Analysis. Shows triads and 4-parts chords for ALL 15 major and minor keys.

MLRMAe-14: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:23 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Partial Diatonic

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the partial Diatonic harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-5: Published: April 6, 2012, 8:53 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:55 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Scale Selection

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the vertical and horizontal scale selection.

MLRMAe-10: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:31 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Unresolved

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson covers the Unresolved harmonic principle.

MLRMAe-7: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:04 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis - Worksheet and Examples

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution. This lesson contains a blank worksheet and several completed examples using standards from the jazz repertoire.

MLRMAe-16: Published: April 6, 2012, 9:27 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Harmonic Analysis Lesson Series

Harmonic Analysis (HA) is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression, sequence, composition or song. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and has a particular chord type.

This series of lessons are extracted from my book for use with individual private and onlne students.

MLRMAe: Published: March 24, 2013, 2:18 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures

There is a load of information in traditional Key Signatures. Unlocking the principles in this circle leads to a better understanding of music and how think work.

ML12: Published: September 5, 2011, 8:45 pm | Updated: March 16, 2013, 1:22 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures

A key signature is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, designating the notes that are to be consistently played higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation. Each major and minor key has an associated key signature that sharpens or flattens the notes which are used in its scale.

UL09: Published: April 7, 2013, 4:57 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 1:07 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - A Major and F Sharp Minor

A major (or the key of A) is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. Its key signature has three sharps: F♯, C♯ and G♯.

Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor.

UL47: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:21 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - Ab Major and F Minor

A♭ major is a major scale based on A-flat, consisting of the pitches A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. Its key signature has four flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, and D♭.

Its relative minor is F minor, and its parallel minor is A-flat minor.

UL55: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - B Major and G Sharp Minor

B major is a major scale based on B. The pitches B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯ are all part of the B major scale. Its key signature has five sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯.

B major's relative minor is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is C-flat major.

UL49: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:05 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - Bb Major and G Minor

B♭ major or B-flat major is a major scale based on B-flat, consisting of the pitches B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. Its key signature has two flats, B♭ and E♭.

Its relative minor is G minor, and its parallel minor is B♭ minor.

B-flat major is a suitable key for most wind instruments, especially those for which it is their home key, such as clarinets, trumpets, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and the flutes in B-flat.

UL53: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:07 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - C Flat Major and A Flat Minor

C♭ major is a major scale based on C-flat, consisting of the pitches C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭. Its key signature has seven flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, and F♭.

UL58: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:10 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - C Flat Major and A Flat Minor

C♭ major is a major scale based on C-flat, consisting of the pitches C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭. Its key signature has seven flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, and F♭.

UL58: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:10 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - C Major and A Minor

Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. Sometimes called the learning key, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using.

UL44: Published: September 11, 2011, 11:19 pm | Updated: April 7, 2013, 3:41 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - C Sharp Major and A Sharp Sharp Minor

C♯ major (or C-sharp major) is a major scale based on C♯, consisting of the pitches C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Its key signature has seven sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ and B♯ - ALL sharps.

Its relative minor is A♯ minor, and its parallel minor is C♯ minor. Its enharmonic equivalent is D♭ major.

UL51: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:06 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - D Flat Major and B Flat Minor

D♭ major is a major scale based on D-flat, consisting of the pitches D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭ and C. Its key signature has five flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, and G♭.

UL56: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:09 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - D Major and B Minor

D major (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Its key signature consists of two sharps: F♯ and C♯.

Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor.

UL46: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:00 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:00 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - D Major and B Minor

D major (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Its key signature consists of two sharps: F♯ and C♯.

Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor.

UL46: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:00 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:00 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - E Major and C Sharp Minor

E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯. Its key signature has four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯ and D♯.

Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor.

UL48: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:04 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - Eb Major and C Minor

E♭ major or E-flat major is a major scale based on E-flat, consisting of the pitches E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. Its key signature has three flats: B♭, E♭, and A♭.

Its relative minor is C minor, and its parallel minor is E♭ minor.

E-flat major is often associated with bold, heroic music, in part because of Beethoven's usage.

UL54: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - F Major and D Minor

F major (or the key of F) is a musical major scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. Its key signature has one flat: B♭. It is by far the oldest key signature with an accidental, predating the others by hundreds of years.

Its relative minor is D minor and its parallel minor is F minor.

UL52: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - F Sharp Major and D Sharp Sharp Minor

F♯ major or F-sharp major is a major scale based on F♯, consisting of the pitches F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. Its key signature has six sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯ and E♯.

Its relative minor is D♯ minor, and its parallel minor is F♯ minor. Its enharmonic equivalent is G♯ major.

UL50: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:05 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - G Flat Major and E Flat Minor

G♭ major is a major scale based on G-flat, consisting of the pitches G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F. Its key signature has six flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ and C♭.

Its relative minor is E-flat minor, and its parallel minor is G-flat minor, usually replaced by F-sharp minor, since G-flat minor, which would have nine flats, is not normally used.

UL57: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:10 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Key Signatures - G Major and E Minor

Learn the recognize the key signature for G Major and E Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

UL45: Published: September 12, 2011, 12:05 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 3:49 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Playing Ukulele by Ear

A art of hearing a melody or chord progression (song) and reproduce it without needing the written music.

UL06: Published: July 21, 2011, 2:38 pm | Updated: May 6, 2013, 3:23 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Practice Cycles and Sequences

Sequences and cycles for practicing scales, intervals, melodic sequences and arpeggios. These sequences also help in learning where any interval is of a given note, the chord tones of chords and aides in memorizing scales

UL18: Published: January 6, 2011, 11:00 am | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:36 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Primary Chords - G Major

Primary chords for the key of G.

UL45a: Published: February 15, 2013, 12:39 pm | Updated: April 5, 2013, 8:15 am | Author: Curt Sheller

Tetrachords

Traditionally, a tetrachord is a series of four tones filling in the interval of a perfect fourth. In modern usage a tetrachord is any four-note segment of a scale or tone row. The term tetrachord derives from ancient Greek music theory.

UL115: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:35 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Understanding Chromatic Intervals

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. Chromatic Intervals are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals

UL31b: Published: August 1, 2011, 7:30 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 1:14 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Understanding Interval Inversion

Inverting intervals using the Rule of Nine.

UL31c: Published: August 1, 2011, 8:46 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 1:14 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

Which Way Is Up? - Up, Down, Ascending, Descending, etc...

What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a ukulele? Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not to direction as we know it.

UL32: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:35 pm | Author: Curt Sheller

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Over 440 lessons, 54 songs and TABS, 240+ archtop luthiers, 180+ ukulele builders, festival information, ukulele links on the web. On the web since the early 90's and growing everyday.

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