The Shocking Truth about Tones.
Grab your favorite guitar, if it's electric, plug it into your favorite amp. Play your favorite chord and hold it... listen... that's TONE.
Now, count to seven, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, those are TONES.
While tone is important, tones are essential!
The above 7 tone-numbers represent the 7 pitches of the Major Scale. For example, the C major scale contains the letters: CDEFGAB, and each of these letters can be given tone-numbers as follows:
Tone 1, also known as the ROOT, is always the letter name of the scale.
Let's illustrate the C major scale on the holistic (whole) fretboard as letters and tones. (Figures 1 and 2)
Last time we learned to see 5 vertical major chord shapes as letters. Now, lets see them as tones 1-3-5, within 7 vertical major scale FORMS. (Figures 3 through 9)
Forms are "moveable tone patterns" and are labeled Circle five-four, Circle five-two, Circle five-one, Circle six-four, Circle six-two, Circle six-one, and Circle four-one. Circle five-four simply means; begin the scale on the fifth string tone 1 (root) using the fourth finger of your fretting hand. Circle five-two means; start on the fifth string with your second finger, and so on.
Did you notice that Circle five-two and Circle five-one share the same chord form, and that Circle six-two and Circle six-one also share a form? That's why there are only 5 major chord forms, even though there are 7 major scale forms. There are also 7 major arpeggio forms - just play the tones 1-3-5, but play them one tone at a time. Remember, the tones 1-3-5 of the major chord are played at the same time.
And now the shocking truth.
These 7 major scale tone-patterns remain the same no matter what fret you start on - but every letter-pattern is different! The point being: tones are easy - letters are much more of a challenge.
Did someone say - Fretboard Flashcards?
So till next time,
Have some fun playing with tones - now you know the truth.
Return to Accomplished Lessons
Now, count to seven, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, those are TONES.
While tone is important, tones are essential!
The above 7 tone-numbers represent the 7 pitches of the Major Scale. For example, the C major scale contains the letters: CDEFGAB, and each of these letters can be given tone-numbers as follows:
| Letters: | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
| Tones: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Tone 1, also known as the ROOT, is always the letter name of the scale.
Let's illustrate the C major scale on the holistic (whole) fretboard as letters and tones. (Figures 1 and 2)
Last time we learned to see 5 vertical major chord shapes as letters. Now, lets see them as tones 1-3-5, within 7 vertical major scale FORMS. (Figures 3 through 9)
Forms are "moveable tone patterns" and are labeled Circle five-four, Circle five-two, Circle five-one, Circle six-four, Circle six-two, Circle six-one, and Circle four-one. Circle five-four simply means; begin the scale on the fifth string tone 1 (root) using the fourth finger of your fretting hand. Circle five-two means; start on the fifth string with your second finger, and so on.
Did you notice that Circle five-two and Circle five-one share the same chord form, and that Circle six-two and Circle six-one also share a form? That's why there are only 5 major chord forms, even though there are 7 major scale forms. There are also 7 major arpeggio forms - just play the tones 1-3-5, but play them one tone at a time. Remember, the tones 1-3-5 of the major chord are played at the same time.
And now the shocking truth.
These 7 major scale tone-patterns remain the same no matter what fret you start on - but every letter-pattern is different! The point being: tones are easy - letters are much more of a challenge.
Did someone say - Fretboard Flashcards?
So till next time,
Have some fun playing with tones - now you know the truth.