Reading Music
First, the names of the strings, from the sixth to the first, are E, A, D, G, B, and E.
Here is a diagram of the treble staff, which is used for guitars:
In music, the alphabet, starting at A, only goes up to G. Between each note is an accidental, or a flat or sharp. For example, between A and B is A#(A sharp), which can also be called Bb(B flat).
Intervals and steps are fundamental in learning how everything else works. An interval is the space between one note and another. When you see 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and such, those are intervals. Here is an interval chart in the key of C for its simplicity, pictured to the right.
When the intervals' note names repeat, such as 1 and 8, they are an octave apart. An octave is the same note played higher.
Steps are most commonly used by beginners for forming scales and such. There are two types: half- and whole-steps. A whole-step, denoted by the letter W, occupies 2 consecutive frets. A half-step is indicated by the letter H, and occupies a single fret. The distance between one letter of the musical alphabet and the next is generally a whole step, but in the cases of E and F, and Band C, there is no
Interval | Name | Note.(In C)
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1 | Unison (root note) | C
b2 | Minor Second | Db
2 | Major Second | D
#2 | Augmented Second | D#
b3 | Minor Third | Eb
3 | Major Third | E
4 | Perfect Fourth | F
#4 | Augmented Fourth | F#
b5 | Diminished Fifth | Gb
5 | Perfect Fifth | G
#5 | Augmented Fifth | G#
b6 | Minor Sixth | Ab
6 | Major Sixth | A
#6 | Augmented Sixth | A#
bb7 | Diminished Seventh | Bbb
b7 | Minor Seventh | Bb
7 | Major Seventh | B
8 | Unison (Octave higher) | C
b9 | Minor Ninth | Db
9 | Major Ninth | D
#9 | Augmented Ninth | D#
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whole-step between them. So, to go from E to F is only a half-step. This applies to B and C as well.
This leads into the major scale, which is the basis of chords and other scales. It can even be used for solos and composition, as it is a regular scale too. In terms of steps, the formula of the major scale is: W W H W W W H. For example, the major scale in the key of C