Mann Music Questions and Answers

2010-10-26T00:12:00.000-06:00

The relative minor scale begins on the 6th tone of the major scale.

This makes minor scale formula as follows:

'a' - - - - - - - - - - - --'b - - - - -'c' - - - - -'d' - - - - -'e' - - - -- 'f '
1(minor root)-(w/s)- 2 -(1/2)- 3 -(w/s)-4 -(w/s)- 5 -(1/2)- 6
- - - - -'g' - - - -- 'a'
-(w/s)-7 -(w/s)- 8(minor octave)

To help you understand, notes are notes! Where they are located
never changes. Where you start and stop is what music is all about.

To try and make this clear, the distance between 'C' and 'D' is always
a whole step...
But, if I start my scale on the :
'C' and use the proper formula, it will be a 'C' major scale.
Or if I start on an:
'A' and use the proper formula, it will be an 'A' minor scale.

Once again:

Major Scale Formula:

(root) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -(octave)
1 -(w/s)-2 -(w/s)- 3 -(1/2)-4 -(w/s)- 5 -(w/s)- 6 -(w/s)- 7-(1/2)-8
C - - - - -D - - - - --E - - - - -F - - - - --G - - - - -A - - - - --B - - -hi-C
In music theory we say:
whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half
(w/s), (w/s), (1/2), (w/s), (w/s), (w/s), (1/2)

Minor Scale Formula:
(root-6th tone of major) - - - - - - - - - (octave-13th tone of major)
1 -(w/s)-2 -(1/2)- 3 -(w/s)-4 -(w/s)- 5 -(1/2)- 6 -(w/s)- 7-(w/s)-8
A - - - - -B - - - - -C - - - - --D - - - - -E - - - - --F - - - - -G - - - hi-A
In music theory we say:
whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole
(w/s), (1/2), (w/s), (w/s), (1/2), (w/s), (w/s)

2010-10-25T09:13:00.000-06:00

Starting with a Major scale. You can begin on any note. This the root note (name note ) of the scale. For example, if you started on 'C'---'C' would be the root note or 1st note of the 'C' major scale. Then moving higher in sound 2 notes (past C# to D) 'D' becomes the 2nd note of the 'C' major scale.

In music theory, moving from one note to the next is called a 1/2 step. Moving 2 notes is called a whole step. On the guitar, or any fretted instrument, moving 1 fret is a 1/2 step and moving 2 frets is a whole step.

Going back to our scale we now move 2 more notes (whole step) making 'E' the 3rd note of the scale. Now move 1 note (1/2) step to make 'F' the 4th note. Move 2 notes (whole step) to make 'G' the 5th note, 2 notes (whole step) making 'A' the 6th note, and 2 notes (whole step) to make 'B' the 7th note. Now move 1 more note (1/2 step). This gives us the 8th note a high 'C'. It has the music theory name of 'Octave' (8th tone). This completes our Major scale.

Once again the formula for a Major scale:
(w/s = whole step, 1/2 = 1/2 step)

1(Root) - w/s - 2 - w/s - 3 - 1/2 - 4 - w/s - 5 - w/s - 6 - w/s - 7 - 1/2 - 8(Octave)

Practice this until you feel confident that you can create a Major scale virtually anywhere on your instrument.

2010-10-19T00:17:00.000-06:00

It's hard to decide,.. write an arrangement of a song,.. or create a new idea.

Is it really new? Is it creative? Has someone already done it?

Am I just copying someone elses idea? Does it have a hook? (etc.)
Can I sell it? Does it matter???

If your were writing to sell, you're probably going to lose.
I believe that you must write from the heart.
I refer back to a 'saying' from a different industry.

When I was an apprentice chef, I asked the head chef,
"How do I know what the customers will like?"

He said, "Season to taste!"

"As long as it's not too sweet, or to salty, everyone will like it!"
As it turned out, it was the best musical advice I ever received.
When you like what you are "serving", so will everyone else!

The musical question is what is too
"salty" and what is too "sweet".

Let's start down a very long journey of
'musical sweetness and saltiness'.
(S&S - sweet/salty)
Have you studied any of the ingredients?
Do you know any of your scales?
Do you know any of the keys of key signatures?
Do you know that every Major Key has a relative Minor key?
Do you know the Major and Relative minor, share the same
key signature (that's why it's called relative minor)?
Do you know your modes? etc.

Do you actually know how to write a song, or are you just
trying to get yout thoughts out? (that's OK too)

As we explore, I will do my best to explain the journey I have had,
and, help your to explore your musical journey. Let's have fun together...

2010-10-09T12:46:00.000-06:00

I teach Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Piano & Voice.
These are considered the 'social instruments'.
(And yes, voice is an instrument!)

My students ask me questions. How to write music. What to study. How to study. How long to practice. How long does it take to become a working musician. What careers in music are available. The list (and questions) could go on forever. And, hopefully, they will. If the questions continue, I can't possibly run out out material to write about.

As I try my hand at developing a blog to answer the questions posed, I hope that the answers are useful to each person who comes here or stumbles upon this new place to explore.

Tthank you for exploring!