Learning the shapes of intervals on the neck is one of the most useful and rewarding things for a guitarist to know, and this video makes it exceptionally clear. Thank you, Rob! I'll just add for convenience that for inverting an interval inside the octave, instead of memorizing all combinations (some people might actually prefer it though), you only need to subtract its type from 9. For instance, a sixth would invert to a third because 9-6=3. Or a fourth would invert to a fifth because 9-4=5. That solves the problem of type, and as for quality, major inverts to minor and vice-versa, augmented inverts to diminished and vice-versa and perfect just stays perfect. ⚠A word of caution⚠: The following several lines may be tiresome, but they also might be important for people with a frame of mind that likes to understand the consistency of these designations. Some might call this pedantic, but you've been warned. Proceed at your own risk, no refunds for lost time! Notice that Inverting an interval is simply moving the upper voice to the lower voice (or vice-versa, of course). In particular, the lower note changes. For example, a C-G interval inverts to G-C , so a "C fifth" inverts to a "G fourth", not a "C fourth". Bear this in mind in the next descriptions, as the intervals in the example are all being transposed to a C fundamental. Ok, so contrarily to the diagram shown later in the video, an augmented fourth inverts to a diminished fifth, not an augmented fourth. Both intervals do sound the same, i.e., they're enharmonic, as you can see in the table at 7:39, but technically a b5 (Gb in the example) would be the correct inversion of a #4 (F#). That might then beg the question of what's the inversion of the augmented fifth also depicted at the table, and that would be a diminished fourth, b4 (Fb), enharmonic with a major third (E). Also not mentioned in this table is the interval of first, or unison, which is the interval a note forms with itself, i.e. 0 semitones. A first does not however invert to an octave, the subtraction from 9 rule only applies to intervals "inside" the octave, i.e. from the second to the seventh. The other interval not mentioned that will actually appear in common chord formation is the diminished seventh (bb7, or Bbb in the example), which is a semitone shorter than the minor seventh. And yes, it would invert to an augmented second #2 (in a C context, that would be D#), enharmonic to the b3 (Eb), although a #2 is very uncommon, unlike its extended version, the augmented (or sharp) ninth #9. Formally, extended intervals are also perfect/major/minor/diminished/augmented as their "inside" octave counterparts. However, it is true that colloquially one might call them flat/natural/sharp in respect to their perfect or major versions. For instance, one may hear "flat five" referring to b5 (dim 5th), or "sharp ninth" for #9 (aug 9th).
@@aestheticwolf7769 I was referring to the interval shapes on the neck of the guitar as related to the contents of the video. The notion of "interval shape" doesn't translate well to a keyboard or a clarinet, for instance. As for the intervals themselves, I agree nearly every musician could benefit from the knowledge, both in theory as in practice (ear training).
This has to be the best music theory video.. maybe even the best educational video I've ever seen in my entire life. I understand so much that before I kinda felt in the dark with even after looking at them! Thank you!
Wow, the first video I've seen from you but it won't be the last. I'm learning the piano, and my daughter loaned me her ukulele. Now I have a baritone uke an just received a 3/4 bass. Trying to learn the circle of fifths on the different fretboards, and to try to "see" the piano on the fretboards. Your discussion was the most intelligent explanation of guitar I've seen. Merci.
Hi Stuart. Inverting an interval does not swap tonality, but it may swap the interval quality. If the interval is major it becomes minor and vice-versa, for instance. Refer to the video for this, or check the comment I left in here previously.
excellent lesson. I need to absorb the shapes of the intervals on the fretboard. I have subscribed, as I think your style fits me well. I will add as an aside - the correct spelling is "benefit". 😀
Hi, first of all thank u a TON. This one video has helped me more than a lot of other ones on this platform Secondly, if I'm correct 14:41 here there's am small error in the inverse of a major 3rd you're showing a minor 3rd, it's half a step flat
It'll be faster for everyone to not rely on visual. We're making music, not painting. Just get one position from this video, and listen to the interval and figure out the rest. Again listen, there's "sound pattern" if that makes sense. You'll be familiar with it in no time.
I've been looking for a good summary on interval positions along the guitar for some time. Got that and so much more. Very thankful for this video, and very happy that I was subscribed so that I could find it.
Knowing the gaps between and stacks - of tones - is not making music however, as the world is so often reminded these days. Writing melodies is a better way to get these things in your head and under your fingers.
since i understand your modes video it makes "click". this was my missing link for years. Intervals the key to find everything easy like blues notes, or harmonic scale or crazy stuff. dosent matter andy more :) thank u !
I am such a slow learner when it comes to music theory.. I get quickly behind.. I've got used to letting the videos play on despite being lost with the hope it'll sink in... It doesn't! It hasn't stopped me loving making up songs on the guitar and I play drumkit... The shipping forecast on BBC radio 4 is on a few times a day but I don't get it really at all.. Not if my life depended on it. I think a VERY patient guitar teacher is possibly my only hope. The music I love seems to be simpler throbbing rhythmic stuff like CAN... or frenetic heavy weird stuff like Beefheart.. But I like all sorts like WIRE, Aretha, Bassey, Howling wolf, Joan Armatrading, Lee scratch Perry and on and on... Understanding music theory like intervals, circle of 5ths etc must be a good move.. One day maybe?! I've been playing for nearly 60 bloody years though... The best way is to be in a creative original band with keen musicians with energy and drive.. I have been in several over the years... I want THAT more than to really understand music theory BUT both would be brilliant.. Thanks for this lesson -, although it hasn't sunk in at all -, I get the impression it has helped other(normal) students with less of a blockage.
that was a good video. I think that knowing the intervals at all times in every situation makes it useless to learn arpeggios, scales etc. and provides as you say the freedom on the instrument and playing outside of patterns and forms.because you can cosntruct always the notes you want to sound. unfortunately to learn and to practice them in good way it is difficult. how do you suggest to learn the intervals at all times in a not scholar way?
Hey Rob, great lesson as always, just wondering if its worthwhile for you to consider starting a series on analysing composition / soloing style of bands and guitarists such as Dream Theater / John Petruci. Believe many of the concepts taugh her will fit nicely into the analysis. Thanks again for this extremely underrated content!
In the middle of explaining somewhat advanced music theory concepts ... Rob: your B string is tuned differently than the rest that's why 😎 Me: well thank you Rob I didn't know these here strings are tuned different on this here thing 🤪 (as I study somewhat advanced music theory concepts) 😂 UR funny Rob PS Keep up the outstanding work ! ❤
hi there, Please upload the backing tracks for practice routine sections(if we want to practice scale arpeggio patterns of 1 key) . I could not find them (for scale arpeggio lesson)
I really like the pictures of the interval within the neck of the guitar. I would like to have something like that at disposal when I was young... What I always find hard, is when you have the exact interval you want in you head as a sound. But your lazy ass hand have the ultimate urge to go where your most played lick are. It's look like after 15/20 years of guitar , your playing habit will end up been your worst nightmare.
This particular overview is note mentioned in any e-book, but you'll find similar diagrams and explanation in the e-book "Intervals for guitar" : qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/intervals-for-guitar
In C major for instance an augmented 4th is a F# (raised F) and a diminished 5th is a Gb (lowered G). Still, both notes are played on the same fret and string. In other words they sound the same, but have different names. This is for theoretical reasons). These two notes are called "enharmonic equal".
We levelled down theorywise with reference to other lessons (#diminished portal 😉), but great again, Rob! One question: This major 3rd instead of 4th between G and B generates some confusion and always has to be thought of when navigating the fretboard. Why not tune the guitar in fourth only? EADGCF. Perfect symmetry for pattern transposition and a larger choice for open string pitches... including the C. Whent it was not taken as a standard means that it must have a severe disadvantage, which one is it? I am seriously tempted to tune one guitar this way... Cheers.
Hi Nicolas. Thanks! About that tuning: hundreds of years ago guitarists came tot the conclusion that the standard tuning EADGBE was the best compromise for paying scales and playing chords, both in a comfortable way. If you would only play scales and licks, then the fourth tuning (EADGCF) would be easier to work with, because of the symmetry. It's interesting to try such a tuning in fourths and some use this tuning all the time...
I first learned music on the piano. I would recommended that anyone learning at first should print two octaves of piano layout on a sheet of paper and start there. It's a much better visual aid to really understand what an interval really is, and how chords are visually represented/formed. My 2 cents. Great lesson!
I'm confused ... I downloaded the ebook "Interval Practice Routines" support files. In it, I'm told that this supports another ebook titled "Intervals for Guitar." I can't find this title on your website or anywhere else. What am I missing?
Wouldn’t you be way better served to study and memorize the intervals of Major,minor and modes vs the enormous task if memorizing 7 positions of every scale of every key? Is my logic sound or flawed forgive me I’m really new to music theory.. anyways thanks great content starting to gravitate to all the German YT guitar teachers for some reason lol
Hi Sean, I don't know exactly what you mean, but intervals could best be studied as a relative system for all diatonic scales (including the modes), avoiding to learn them over and over again for each key of mode. Moving to other (maybe non-diatonic) scale structures the interval sequence will change due to the structure of the scale. Is that what you mean? By the way: I'm Dutch ;)
I only trust guitar instruction from someone with some sort of European or British/English accent! It’s proven scientifically they are better teachers than us boring Americans 😂
Jimmy Hendrix came from US but went to England then cam back do sorta right. It makes me listen more closely and US is filled with yelling and ranting.
This video augmented my interval knowledge. It's not yet perfect but no longer is it diminished.
Hartelijk bedankt
Nice play of words! :)
One of the most complete examinations of intervals on the internet.
The MOST mind-blowingly BRILLIANT explanation I've ever seen ANYWHERE!!! Sir, you're a true blessing for every guitar player out there! THANK YOU!
Thank you!
Wow. So much information! I need to watch this 28 more times
Learning the shapes of intervals on the neck is one of the most useful and rewarding things for a guitarist to know, and this video makes it exceptionally clear. Thank you, Rob!
I'll just add for convenience that for inverting an interval inside the octave, instead of memorizing all combinations (some people might actually prefer it though), you only need to subtract its type from 9. For instance, a sixth would invert to a third because 9-6=3. Or a fourth would invert to a fifth because 9-4=5. That solves the problem of type, and as for quality, major inverts to minor and vice-versa, augmented inverts to diminished and vice-versa and perfect just stays perfect.
⚠A word of caution⚠: The following several lines may be tiresome, but they also might be important for people with a frame of mind that likes to understand the consistency of these designations. Some might call this pedantic, but you've been warned. Proceed at your own risk, no refunds for lost time!
Notice that Inverting an interval is simply moving the upper voice to the lower voice (or vice-versa, of course). In particular, the lower note changes. For example, a C-G interval inverts to G-C , so a "C fifth" inverts to a "G fourth", not a "C fourth". Bear this in mind in the next descriptions, as the intervals in the example are all being transposed to a C fundamental.
Ok, so contrarily to the diagram shown later in the video, an augmented fourth inverts to a diminished fifth, not an augmented fourth. Both intervals do sound the same, i.e., they're enharmonic, as you can see in the table at 7:39, but technically a b5 (Gb in the example) would be the correct inversion of a #4 (F#).
That might then beg the question of what's the inversion of the augmented fifth also depicted at the table, and that would be a diminished fourth, b4 (Fb), enharmonic with a major third (E).
Also not mentioned in this table is the interval of first, or unison, which is the interval a note forms with itself, i.e. 0 semitones. A first does not however invert to an octave, the subtraction from 9 rule only applies to intervals "inside" the octave, i.e. from the second to the seventh.
The other interval not mentioned that will actually appear in common chord formation is the diminished seventh (bb7, or Bbb in the example), which is a semitone shorter than the minor seventh. And yes, it would invert to an augmented second #2 (in a C context, that would be D#), enharmonic to the b3 (Eb), although a #2 is very uncommon, unlike its extended version, the augmented (or sharp) ninth #9.
Formally, extended intervals are also perfect/major/minor/diminished/augmented as their "inside" octave counterparts. However, it is true that colloquially one might call them flat/natural/sharp in respect to their perfect or major versions. For instance, one may hear "flat five" referring to b5 (dim 5th), or "sharp ninth" for #9 (aug 9th).
For guitarists? You mean for every musician?
@@aestheticwolf7769 I was referring to the interval shapes on the neck of the guitar as related to the contents of the video. The notion of "interval shape" doesn't translate well to a keyboard or a clarinet, for instance. As for the intervals themselves, I agree nearly every musician could benefit from the knowledge, both in theory as in practice (ear training).
Superb comment. I had never thought of the subtraction from 9, it's a great tool.
@@EdBender Thank you!
you explained melodic vs. harmonic on the guitar better than anyone ever has - in about a couple of seconds no less
as an advanced player, this is THE best explanation i've seen on intervals, thank you
Best lesson I've seen. Clear, concise, and to the point. Bravo.
WOW!!!! this made all these scattered pieces of knowledge in my head finally click... thank you!
This has to be the best music theory video.. maybe even the best educational video I've ever seen in my entire life. I understand so much that before I kinda felt in the dark with even after looking at them! Thank you!
so concise! this is seriously one of your best lessons yet, thankyou!
People can't be allergic to music theory when listening you, it's so clear that i can feel being bless xD. That was a masterclass... like always!
Wow, the first video I've seen from you but it won't be the last. I'm learning the piano, and my daughter loaned me her ukulele. Now I have a baritone uke an just received a 3/4 bass. Trying to learn the circle of fifths on the different fretboards, and to try to "see" the piano on the fretboards. Your discussion was the most intelligent explanation of guitar I've seen.
Merci.
Absolutely brilliant. Excellent work.
You did it again Mr Rob, another awesome worthy lesson! Thank you so much for al the work and time you invest in this channel!
Great exllanation. Great visuals. Amazing lesson
Thank you. Loved the notion of inverting the interval to swap between a major and minor tonality. Fabulous!
Hi Stuart. Inverting an interval does not swap tonality, but it may swap the interval quality. If the interval is major it becomes minor and vice-versa, for instance. Refer to the video for this, or check the comment I left in here previously.
@@Pedro_MVS_Lima Thank you Pedro. Indeed, I used the wrong term. Quality not tonality. I appreciate your clarification.
Finally found the first useful tutorial on this topic! Thank you so much for sharing :)
Brilliant presentation!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge..
It is clear and by far the best video about intervals! Thank you very much!
One of the best lessons, may be even the best on UA-cam i ever seen. Thanks a lot
Thank you!
Excellent thank you for making this much clearer!
Great lesson. Thanks for sharing. 👊🎸🔥
great lesson! thank you!
Crystal clear and perfect as always. Thank you for such amazingly practical and essential knowledge and insight.
Truefire has a good program too Street Theory or something like that. Really good.
Quite impress for your video. specificaly for the practical examples. I just Subscribed
Excellent as always
excellent lesson. I need to absorb the shapes of the intervals on the fretboard.
I have subscribed, as I think your style fits me well.
I will add as an aside - the correct spelling is "benefit". 😀
Excellent lesson
Excellent presentation!
very good video very easy to understand thank you
Thanks for a great tutorial !
I have watched a lot of good theory videos, but this one is even better.
Never cease to impress!!
Hi, first of all thank u a TON. This one video has helped me more than a lot of other ones on this platform
Secondly, if I'm correct 14:41 here there's am small error in the inverse of a major 3rd you're showing a minor 3rd, it's half a step flat
Great Lesson.
BEST concise and understandable lesson I've EVER seen..!!! Thank you .. obviously I'm subscribing!
This is amazing. Well explained. Thank you!
Great lesson, crystal clear indeed. Thank you
😊Thanx for ur gentleness !🎉
Thank you for the lesson sir
*Very interesting sharing!👍🛎 Wish you success!*
Thank you sir 🙏🏾📓
superb tutorial.
Best lesson ever. Thank you sir
Fantastic lesson.❤
Thank you very very much.
Excellent!
crystal clear, thank you for the very informative lesson😊😊
Great info.
VERY GOOD JOB! TAKE CARE.. KB
Amazing. Thank you.
Great as always.
A lot of good information to process... thanks.. Nice guitar too!
Excellent training. Thank you!
This was incredible 👏
Excellent! So well explained and presented...
That was exactly what I needed. Beato's book might as well be in Chinese. Now I am not so confused.
Great lesson! Thanks!
It'll be faster for everyone to not rely on visual. We're making music, not painting. Just get one position from this video, and listen to the interval and figure out the rest. Again listen, there's "sound pattern" if that makes sense. You'll be familiar with it in no time.
Super lesson 👏🏽
I've been looking for a good summary on interval positions along the guitar for some time. Got that and so much more. Very thankful for this video, and very happy that I was subscribed so that I could find it.
Thank you.
Thank you!! This was great!!
that's very helpful. thank you
Another great lesson. I tune in all 4ths I try to just play with intervals. thank you
I'm tuning all 4ths as well!
Thank you!
Knowing the gaps between and stacks - of tones - is not making music however, as the world is so often reminded these days. Writing melodies is a better way to get these things in your head and under your fingers.
thanks! learnt a lot
Which course do you have that focuses only on arpeggio exercises? This is what I'm interested in. Thanks.
If you visit my e-book shop, you'll find several arpeggio orientated e-books. Maybe you can find something useful...
(qjamtracks.myshopify.com)
Amazing video
Awesome thank you!
If you don't have any knowledge than I will recommend you to watch 1000time this video's.....very advanced and amazing 😢
since i understand your modes video it makes "click". this was my missing link for years. Intervals the key to find everything easy like blues notes, or harmonic scale or crazy stuff. dosent matter andy more :) thank u !
I am such a slow learner when it comes to music theory..
I get quickly behind.. I've got used to letting the videos play on despite being lost with the hope it'll sink in... It doesn't!
It hasn't stopped me loving making up songs on the guitar and I play drumkit... The shipping forecast on BBC radio 4 is on a few times a day but I don't get it really at all.. Not if my life depended on it. I think a VERY patient guitar teacher is possibly my only hope.
The music I love seems to be simpler throbbing rhythmic stuff like CAN... or frenetic heavy weird stuff like Beefheart.. But I like all sorts like WIRE, Aretha, Bassey, Howling wolf, Joan Armatrading, Lee scratch Perry and on and on... Understanding music theory like intervals, circle of 5ths etc must be a good move.. One day maybe?! I've been playing for nearly 60 bloody years though... The best way is to be in a creative original band with keen musicians with energy and drive.. I have been in several over the years... I want THAT more than to really understand music theory BUT both would be brilliant.. Thanks for this lesson -, although it hasn't sunk in at all -, I get the impression it has helped other(normal) students with less of a blockage.
Like you said, maybe it is a good idea to take a few lessons from a good teacher. This could help you a lot...
that was a good video. I think that knowing the intervals at all times in every situation makes it useless to learn arpeggios, scales etc. and provides as you say the freedom on the instrument and playing outside of patterns and forms.because you can cosntruct always the notes you want to sound. unfortunately to learn and to practice them in good way it is difficult. how do you suggest to learn the intervals at all times in a not scholar way?
i want to know this aswell
Hey Rob, great lesson as always, just wondering if its worthwhile for you to consider starting a series on analysing composition / soloing style of bands and guitarists such as Dream Theater / John Petruci. Believe many of the concepts taugh her will fit nicely into the analysis.
Thanks again for this extremely underrated content!
That could be an good idea Randy...
In the middle of explaining somewhat advanced music theory concepts ...
Rob: your B string is tuned differently than the rest that's why 😎
Me: well thank you Rob I didn't know these here strings are tuned different on this here thing 🤪
(as I study somewhat advanced music theory concepts)
😂 UR funny Rob
PS Keep up the outstanding work ! ❤
Acabo de ver la luz! 🤘🏻
hi there, Please upload the backing tracks for practice routine sections(if we want to practice scale arpeggio patterns of 1 key) . I could not find them (for scale arpeggio lesson)
I really like the pictures of the interval within the neck of the guitar. I would like to have something like that at disposal when I was young...
What I always find hard, is when you have the exact interval you want in you head as a sound. But your lazy ass hand have the ultimate urge to go where your most played lick are.
It's look like after 15/20 years of guitar , your playing habit will end up been your worst nightmare.
Just want to point out a couple of missed errors in your charts (B changes to A 07:13) (last Third should be Seventh 19:27) good guide btw thx
Great video to save and watch again and again till my stubbornness to learn is throttled up or I learn thru osmosis....
Amazing! After a year of trying. This video made all clear!🥲
4:58 so what makes a second?
The tonal distance of a half or whole step.
I feel smarter now lol.
thank you so much !
That Overview chart at 10:50, what E-Book is that found in? I have already bought a few of your programs.
This particular overview is note mentioned in any e-book, but you'll find similar diagrams and explanation in the e-book "Intervals for guitar" : qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/intervals-for-guitar
The best online interval lesson ever! Thanks heaps!
What’s the difference between augmented 4th and Diminished 5th?? Apologies for the lame question- I am a beginner and found this part rather confusing
In C major for instance an augmented 4th is a F# (raised F) and a diminished 5th is a Gb (lowered G). Still, both notes are played on the same fret and string. In other words they sound the same, but have different names. This is for theoretical reasons). These two notes are called "enharmonic equal".
@@QJamTracks Makes sense now, thank you so much!!
Thanks!
Thank you!!!
8:18 how do we play an octave on the third string?😊
Do you have also exercises (sheet) for this lesson?
Yes... you can find it here: qjamtracks.myshopify.com
We levelled down theorywise with reference to other lessons (#diminished portal 😉), but great again, Rob! One question: This major 3rd instead of 4th between G and B generates some confusion and always has to be thought of when navigating the fretboard. Why not tune the guitar in fourth only? EADGCF. Perfect symmetry for pattern transposition and a larger choice for open string pitches... including the C. Whent it was not taken as a standard means that it must have a severe disadvantage, which one is it? I am seriously tempted to tune one guitar this way... Cheers.
Hi Nicolas. Thanks!
About that tuning: hundreds of years ago guitarists came tot the conclusion that the standard tuning EADGBE was the best compromise for paying scales and playing chords, both in a comfortable way. If you would only play scales and licks, then the fourth tuning (EADGCF) would be easier to work with, because of the symmetry. It's interesting to try such a tuning in fourths and some use this tuning all the time...
where is the microtonal fretboard link?
I first learned music on the piano. I would recommended that anyone learning at first should print two octaves of piano layout on a sheet of paper and start there. It's a much better visual aid to really understand what an interval really is, and how chords are visually represented/formed. My 2 cents. Great lesson!
You are a great teacher and player thanks so much!!
I'm confused ... I downloaded the ebook "Interval Practice Routines" support files. In it, I'm told that this supports another ebook titled "Intervals for Guitar." I can't find this title on your website or anywhere else. What am I missing?
Hi Paul,
The ebook 'intervals for guitar' isn't ready yet, but will be published this week.
@@QJamTracks Cool ... thanks!
Wouldn’t you be way better served to study and memorize the intervals of Major,minor and modes vs the enormous task if memorizing 7 positions of every scale of every key? Is my logic sound or flawed forgive me I’m really new to music theory.. anyways thanks great content starting to gravitate to all the German YT guitar teachers for some reason lol
Hi Sean,
I don't know exactly what you mean, but intervals could best be studied as a relative system for all diatonic scales (including the modes), avoiding to learn them over and over again for each key of mode. Moving to other (maybe non-diatonic) scale structures the interval sequence will change due to the structure of the scale. Is that what you mean?
By the way: I'm Dutch ;)
@@QJamTracks yes I meant the difference sequences my bad! Sorry the accents are really close ! Thx for responding
I only trust guitar instruction from someone with some sort of European or British/English accent! It’s proven scientifically they are better teachers than us boring Americans 😂
🧐...😮🤣🤣🤣👍
As a British person, I agree with you about the European part, but not the British part 🤣
the greatest guitarist do come from england
Jimmy Hendrix came from US but went to England then cam back do sorta right. It makes me listen more closely and US is filled with yelling and ranting.
I was just thinking British people bore the shit out of me 🤷♂️
10:22 Oops, I think there's a graphics error there. That should be "C" not "Cb" on the D string and G string. Otherwise another great lesson.
True. I made a mistake there.