https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory Music theory for guitarists: intervals, modes, harmony, rhythm, and practical application. en-US Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-resolution-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-resolution-in-music/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT What resolution means in melody and harmony, how it differs from stability and cadence, why stepwise motion is so common, and how to hear delayed, partial, and redirected resolution. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/stable-and-unstable-notes/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/stable-and-unstable-notes/ Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Which scale degrees sound stable or unstable, where their tendencies lead, and how to use this hierarchy in melody, improvisation, and analysis. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/circle-progression/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/circle-progression/ Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT How the circle progression works, why chord roots move by fifths, how its major and minor forms differ, and which songs use this pattern. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/relative-keys/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/relative-keys/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT What relative keys are, how C major and A minor are connected, and why the same notes can sound like two different keys. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/parallel-keys/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/parallel-keys/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT What parallel keys are, how C major differs from C minor, and which scale degrees change when moving between major and minor. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/common-chord-progressions/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/common-chord-progressions/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Explore common chord progressions, their scale degrees, harmonic functions, character, and ways to adapt them for songwriting and arranging. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-build-chord-progressions/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-build-chord-progressions/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT A step-by-step method for building chord progressions by choosing a key, harmonic functions, harmonic rhythm, cadences, and smooth voice leading. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/main-types-of-cadences/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/main-types-of-cadences/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn the main types of cadences: complete, half, interrupted, authentic, plagal, perfect, and imperfect cadences. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-cadence-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-cadence-in-music/ Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of cadence: how a chord pattern closes or pauses a musical phrase, with the main types and examples. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/tonic-subdominant-and-dominant/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/tonic-subdominant-and-dominant/ Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn how the three main harmonic functions work: tonic, subdominant, and dominant. Formulas and examples in major and minor keys. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-chord-function/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-chord-function/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn what chord function means in a key, how function differs from chord name, and how to hear stability, motion, and tension. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/minor-key-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/minor-key-chords/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn which chords belong to natural minor, why minor keys often raise the seventh degree, and why V or V7 pulls to the tonic more strongly than v. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-key-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-key-chords/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn which chords belong to a major key, how the I–ii–iii–IV–V–vi–vii° pattern works, and how to build and transpose progressions. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-are-diatonic-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-are-diatonic-chords/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn what a diatonic scale is, how its notes form the chords of a key, and how Roman numerals help transpose chord progressions. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/scale-degrees-in-a-key/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/scale-degrees-in-a-key/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn how scale degrees work inside a key: how they create stability and tension, change their role over chords, and help transpose music. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-musical-tension/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-musical-tension/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A clear explanation of musical tension: where it comes from, how it relates to keys, scale degrees, and chord functions, and why it often seeks resolution. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-the-tonic/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-the-tonic/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A clear explanation of the tonic: how it creates a sense of home, why it is not always the first note, and how to hear it in melody and harmony. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-and-minor-pentatonic-scales/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-and-minor-pentatonic-scales/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn the difference between major and minor pentatonic scales: their formulas, characteristic degrees, parallel and relative relationships, chord choices, and guitar applications. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-pentatonic-scale/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-pentatonic-scale/ Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A clear explanation of the pentatonic scale: the formulas for major and minor pentatonic scales, how they are related, how to use them in improvisation, and how to find them on the fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/added-tone-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/added-tone-chords/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of added-tone chords: what add2, add4, add6, and add9 mean, how they differ from sus and seventh chords, and how to use them in music. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-are-sus2-and-sus4-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-are-sus2-and-sus4-chords/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of sus2 and sus4 chords: why they do not contain a third, how they sound, and how they differ from major and minor chords. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-slash-chord/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-slash-chord/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of slash chords: how to read C/E, how slash chords relate to inversions, and how to use chords with a separate bass note. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-chord-inversion/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-chord-inversion/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of chord inversions: what changes when the bass note is not the root, and how this affects harmony and voice leading. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/main-types-of-seventh-chords/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/main-types-of-seventh-chords/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A reference guide to the main seventh chords: maj7, 7, m7, m7♭5, and dim7, with formulas, sound, and harmonic function. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-seventh-chord/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-seventh-chord/ Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of seventh chords: how they are built from a triad plus a seventh, why they matter in harmony, and how to hear their tension. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/diminished-and-augmented-triads/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/diminished-and-augmented-triads/ Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of diminished and augmented triads: formulas, sound, differences from major and minor, and practical harmonic use. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-musical-phrase/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-musical-phrase/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of musical phrases: how a phrase differs from a motif, how it works in melody, and how to practise phrasing. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-syncopation/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-syncopation/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of syncopation: how shifted accents work, how syncopation differs from a straight rhythm, and how to practise it by ear and on an instrument. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-musical-motif/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-musical-motif/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of a musical motif: how it differs from a phrase, how it works in melodies and riffs, how to develop a motif, and how to use it in a song. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-musical-ear/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-musical-ear/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of musical ear: what this skill is, what parts it includes, how to develop it, and why ear training matters not only for singers. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/minor-triad/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/minor-triad/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the minor triad: what notes it contains, why it sounds different from a major triad, and how to see the formula on the fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/melodic-and-harmonic-intervals/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/melodic-and-harmonic-intervals/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of melodic and harmonic intervals: how notes played one after another differ from notes played together, how to hear the difference, and why it matters for musicians. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-triad/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-triad/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the major triad: what notes it contains, how it sounds, how to see it on the fretboard, and how it differs from a minor triad. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-groove/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-groove/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of groove: how it differs from rhythm, tempo, and swing, what creates the feeling of motion, and how to start practising it. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-train-intervals-by-ear/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-train-intervals-by-ear/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical guide to interval ear training: how to hear melodic and harmonic intervals, avoid guessing, and connect your ear to the fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-minor-and-perfect-intervals/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-minor-and-perfect-intervals/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of interval quality: how a major third differs from a minor third, why fourths and fifths are called perfect, and how to see this on the fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/chord-vs-fingering/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/chord-vs-fingering/ Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the difference between a chord and a fingering: why the same chord can be played in different places on the fretboard and why guitarists need to understand this. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-arpeggio/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-arpeggio/ Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of arpeggios: how they differ from chords, picking patterns, and scales, and how to hear and play them on guitar. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-vs-minor/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-vs-minor/ Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple comparison of major and minor: how the third and other scale degrees change, how to hear the difference in chords and keys, and how to see it on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-minor-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-minor-in-music/ Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of minor in music: what minor chords, minor scales, and minor keys are, how to hear the minor third, and why minor does not always mean sad. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-major-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-major-in-music/ Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of major in music: what major chords, major scales, and major keys are, how to hear the major third, and why major does not always mean happy. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-fretboard-position/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-fretboard-position/ Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of guitar fretboard positions: how they relate to hand placement, fingering, scales, and position shifts when playing phrases and riffs. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/basic-musical-intervals/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/basic-musical-intervals/ Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of intervals within one octave: how to count unisons, seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, and octaves, how to hear them, and how to find them on guitar. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/time-signature-vs-tempo/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/time-signature-vs-tempo/ Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple comparison of time signature and tempo: time signature groups beats into bars, while tempo shows the speed of the pulse. Examples in 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/strong-and-weak-beats/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/strong-and-weak-beats/ Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of strong and weak beats: how to feel the support of a bar, how metrical position differs from accent, and how to apply this in guitar strumming and riffs. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-bar-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-bar-in-music/ Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of bars in music: what a bar is, how it differs from a beat and a time signature, why bar lines matter, and how to count bars when playing guitar. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-rest-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-rest-in-music/ Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of rests in music: why silence matters, how to count rests, how rest durations work, and how to practice rests on guitar. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-fingering-on-guitar/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-fingering-on-guitar/ Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of guitar fingering: how finger choice connects to notes and chords, why the same phrase can be played in different ways, and how to choose a comfortable option. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-triads-are-built/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-triads-are-built/ Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of triads: what a triad is, how it is built in thirds, how major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads differ, and how to see them on guitar. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-chord-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-chord-in-music/ Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of chords: what a chord is, how it differs from a single note and a fingering, how chords are built from intervals, and why guitar players need them. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-key-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-key-in-music/ Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of musical keys: what a tonal center is, how a key differs from a scale, why the tonic matters, and how keys connect melodies, chords, and the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-build-a-natural-minor-scale/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-build-a-natural-minor-scale/ Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the natural minor scale: its whole-step and half-step formula, the example of A minor, how it differs from major, and how to see it on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-scale-construction/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/major-scale-construction/ Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the major scale: how the whole-step and half-step formula works, how to build a major scale from any note, and how to see it on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-scale-degree/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-scale-degree/ Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of scale degrees: how to count notes inside a scale, why the tonic matters, how a scale degree differs from a note name, and how to see scale degrees on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-scale-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-scale-in-music/ Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of musical scales: what a scale is, how notes are ordered, why scale degrees matter, and how to see a scale on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-memorize-fretboard-notes/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/how-to-memorize-fretboard-notes/ Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical way to memorize notes on the guitar fretboard without rote learning: how to study notes in small groups, test yourself, and bring that knowledge into your playing. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/guitar-fretboard-basics/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/guitar-fretboard-basics/ Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the guitar fretboard: how strings, frets, notes, semitones, and octaves are connected, why notes repeat, and where to start learning the fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-octave/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-octave/ Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of the octave: why two notes can have the same name but sound higher or lower, how to hear an octave, and how to find it on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-interval-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-an-interval-in-music/ Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of intervals: what the distance between two notes means, how to hear an interval, how to see it on guitar, and why it matters for chords, scales, and melodies. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-time-signature/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-time-signature/ Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of time signatures for beginners: what 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8 mean, how to count beats in a bar, and how time signature differs from rhythm and tempo. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-note-duration/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-note-duration/ Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of note duration: how long a note lasts, how duration connects to pulse and tempo, and how to practice it in real playing. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-tempo-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-tempo-in-music/ Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of tempo: what BPM means, how tempo relates to pulse and rhythm, and how to train steady speed in practice. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-pulse-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-pulse-in-music/ Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of musical pulse: how to feel a steady time support, and how pulse differs from rhythm and tempo. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-rhythm-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-rhythm-in-music/ Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of rhythm: how sounds and rests are placed in time, how rhythm differs from tempo, and how to practice it. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/tone-and-semitone/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/tone-and-semitone/ Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of tones and semitones: how distances between notes work on guitar and why one fret equals one semitone. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-pitch/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-pitch/ Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of pitch: why some sounds feel higher or lower, and how to see that movement on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/note-names-do-re-mi-and-c-d-e/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/note-names-do-re-mi-and-c-d-e/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT How solfege note names connect to the letter system C, D, E, why guitarists use letters, and what to learn first. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-note/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-a-note/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of a note: how a note differs from sound, why note names matter, and how to see notes on the guitar fretboard. https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-sound-in-music/ https://sixstringsapp.com/en/theory/what-is-sound-in-music/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT A simple explanation of sound in music: how music starts with sound, silence, and time before notes, rhythm, melody, and harmony appear.