Theory I
Intervals, the major scale and its keys, triads, the three minor scales and the harmonised major scale: the vocabulary every later lesson is written in.
By the end of this module you will be able to
- Name and play any interval from a root on strings 6, 5 and 4, and hear the common ones
- Build the major scale in any key, know its key signature and spell it correctly
- Spell and play major, minor, diminished and augmented triads in close position on three string sets
- Spell and play natural, harmonic and melodic minor, and know which one jazz players use where
- Harmonise the major scale into triads, label them with Roman numerals and transpose a progression by numerals
Jazz is a language spoken in intervals, scales and chords, and this module teaches the grammar. Nothing here is "theory for its own sake": every concept is tied to a shape on the neck, a sound to hear and a drill to run with the metronome. Work through the five lessons in order; each one assumes the one before it, and the chord dictionary, scale finder and ear trainer are built to go with them.