# Harmony & Theory **URL:** https://forum.troygrady.com/c/harmony-theory/37.md [Latest](https://forum.troygrady.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.troygrady.com/categories.md) --- ## [Anyone Have A Copy of the Frank Gambale Technique Book 2?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/anyone-have-a-copy-of-the-frank-gambale-technique-book-2/98871)
**Author:** [@tedtan](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tedtan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/anyone-have-a-copy-of-the-frank-gambale-technique-book-2/98871 "2026-07-18T22:56:36Z")
Anyone have a copy of the Frank Gambale Technique Book 2? If so, any chance you’d be willing to sell it? If not You’re not willing to sell, any chance you have the audio that goes with it? --- ## [General Theory Questions Thread](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/general-theory-questions-thread/69780)
**Author:** [@aliendough](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/aliendough)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/general-theory-questions-thread/69780 "2025-11-12T03:11:18Z")
I thought that I would start a thread where the members could ask or answer their theory questions. So, my question is this - how do I tell if a song I’m transcribing is in C# major or Db major? I don’t have sheet musi… --- ## [Key Signatures and The Guitar](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/key-signatures-and-the-guitar/5353)
**Author:** [@millionrainbows](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/millionrainbows)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/key-signatures-and-the-guitar/5353 "2025-10-23T12:10:57Z")
I memorized all the key signatures in theory class, but I didn’t see how they applied specifically to the guitar; and they don’t. The key signature system is based on the piano, as well as the note names and the notatio… --- ## [Typing on a keyboard vs playing on a guitar?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/typing-on-a-keyboard-vs-playing-on-a-guitar/88592)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/typing-on-a-keyboard-vs-playing-on-a-guitar/88592 "2025-07-05T20:19:24Z")
Why is it so easy to type exactly what I want on the keyboard, I don’t explicitly know where each key is, but after a few weeks using it my fingers/finger (I’m a singer finger pecker) know exactly where to go, It’s sub c… --- ## [Books detailing music notation rules](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/books-detailing-music-notation-rules/87745)
**Author:** [@aliendough](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/aliendough)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/books-detailing-music-notation-rules/87745 "2025-06-09T20:36:57Z")
Are there any recommended books that would detail the rules and conventions regarding music notation? I would like a guide, possibly, in the form of one complete book. I would like to know things about notating rests … --- ## [Extensible Ear Training App](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/extensible-ear-training-app/84760)
**Author:** [@deceptive](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/deceptive)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/extensible-ear-training-app/84760 "2025-05-21T19:41:12Z")
I recently finished work on this ear training app. I’m not a huge fan of using apps for ear training in general as I think it removes a lot of the context that normal music has. However, I do think that it is a nice tool… --- ## [Songs to learn harmonic minor?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-to-learn-harmonic-minor/81964)
**Author:** [@looneytunes](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/looneytunes)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-to-learn-harmonic-minor/81964 "2025-04-11T16:21:41Z")
Been trying to learn scales by learning songs. What are some songs I can use to learn harmonic minor? Preferably songs that don’t just borrow chords from the scales. The songs can also use the modes of the harmonic mino… --- ## [The OTHER Paganini in G Minor, and Etude-Driven Teaching Philosophy, ](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-other-paganini-in-g-minor-and-etude-driven-teaching-philosophy/86759)
**Author:** [@Strausbaugh71](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Strausbaugh71)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2025, 9:42am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-other-paganini-in-g-minor-and-etude-driven-teaching-philosophy/86759 "2025-04-11T09:42:56Z")
Greetings, @Troy You’re one of those Beato-level pioneers in a different way, and that is commendable, sir. I happened to catch Joao’s awesome transcription of Paganini 16 the other day, and I 100% had to reach out. M… --- ## [One tiny small itsy-bitsy part I can't figure out by ear](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/one-tiny-small-itsy-bitsy-part-i-cant-figure-out-by-ear/84575)
**Author:** [@Rot](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Rot)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/one-tiny-small-itsy-bitsy-part-i-cant-figure-out-by-ear/84575 "2025-04-03T21:57:54Z")
My fav band (beside TOOL) dropped new EP. I’ve been to see them live on Thursday and got hyped and decided to learn one of the new songs - by ear obviously as there is literally no tabs. The band is a bit… shall we say, … --- ## [What is this classed as?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-is-this-classed-as/86233)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-is-this-classed-as/86233 "2025-03-22T23:26:01Z")
I’d say punk Jazz, or even, Pure Jazz? “every librarian has its theory” --- ## [Getting the technical results that I want, but how do I write good solos?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/getting-the-technical-results-that-i-want-but-how-do-i-write-good-solos/85756)
**Author:** [@gw12505](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/gw12505)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/getting-the-technical-results-that-i-want-but-how-do-i-write-good-solos/85756 "2025-03-07T22:58:02Z")
Have you ever spent so much time building your musical vocabulary—learning licks and refining your technique—only to hit a wall when you sit down to record and compose a solo? That’s my struggle and has been for some ti… --- ## [New study challenges the notion that absolute pitch can't be learned as an adult](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/new-study-challenges-the-notion-that-absolute-pitch-cant-be-learned-as-an-adult/85187)
**Author:** [@ShadowoftheSun](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/ShadowoftheSun)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 8:47am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/new-study-challenges-the-notion-that-absolute-pitch-cant-be-learned-as-an-adult/85187 "2025-02-23T08:47:07Z")
The study is here. This is an interesting development, especially since they include the methodology they use in the study. I’m not good at programming, but it feels like it should be reasonably easy to program somethin… --- ## [Excelling in technique, but falling behind in creativity and songwriting. Any advice?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/excelling-in-technique-but-falling-behind-in-creativity-and-songwriting-any-advice/84817)
**Author:** [@gw12505](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/gw12505)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/excelling-in-technique-but-falling-behind-in-creativity-and-songwriting-any-advice/84817 "2025-02-16T23:41:10Z")
I’ve ran into a bit of a dilemma. So, I’ve been practicing many licks and runs and doing all the alternate picking acrobatics that we guitar players do. I’ve managed to hit 200bpm sixteenth notes on a couple runs. Thing… --- ## [Writing music with consistent feel (maybe not the right word)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/writing-music-with-consistent-feel-maybe-not-the-right-word/76768)
**Author:** [@SomeDudeOnline](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/SomeDudeOnline)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/writing-music-with-consistent-feel-maybe-not-the-right-word/76768 "2025-02-13T10:48:35Z")
Hello All, I’ve been playing guitar for about 20 years now and one thing that I’ve never been able to improve is my writing ability. 99% of the time I come up with something on the guitar that I like, it’s a one off tha… --- ## [Question about improvisation and composing in general](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/question-about-improvisation-and-composing-in-general/83377)
**Author:** [@Cechichan](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Cechichan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/question-about-improvisation-and-composing-in-general/83377 "2025-01-27T18:52:36Z")
Hell everyone! I have a question. For example I play a simple 12 bar blues in C C F C C F F C C G F C G 1 measure, 4 beats each chord. I can’t manage to keep track of the chord while focusing on composing/improvisi… --- ## [Trying to learn a song by ear. Startrek Voyager](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/trying-to-learn-a-song-by-ear-startrek-voyager/82635)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/trying-to-learn-a-song-by-ear-startrek-voyager/82635 "2024-11-11T16:02:25Z")
I’m struggling with this melody, wondering if anyone can help point me in right direction. I’m assuming its in major, but there are various points I just can’t find.. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I h… --- ## [Hopeless Noise, Nonstop ssssss](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/hopeless-noise-nonstop-ssssss/79569)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2024, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/hopeless-noise-nonstop-ssssss/79569 "2024-07-13T08:05:05Z")
No One Cares… No One Dares… Vacant Prayes… Empty Stares… No one there? Tinnitusssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss --- ## [Shredding, small hands, making music](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/shredding-small-hands-making-music/78607)
**Author:** [@mysticguitar](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/mysticguitar)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/shredding-small-hands-making-music/78607 "2024-06-17T19:20:19Z")
Can one shred but still improvise? Can one shred with small hands? Is shredding a way to impress people rather than making music? --- ## [Oops I did it again…](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/oops-i-did-it-again/78052)
**Author:** [@kgk](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kgk)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/oops-i-did-it-again/78052 "2024-05-24T17:51:20Z")
--- ## [Non-diatonic minor triads a major third apart](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/non-diatonic-minor-triads-a-major-third-apart/77360)
**Author:** [@Riffdiculous](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Riffdiculous)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/non-diatonic-minor-triads-a-major-third-apart/77360 "2024-05-01T01:48:53Z")
This has always sounded pretty cool to me, C minor to E minor for instance, and it gets a lot of use in film scores (John Williams, Howard Shore, a million others). I happened to be playing the game Dredge recently and i… --- ## [Approaches to fusion guitar - looking for resources](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/approaches-to-fusion-guitar-looking-for-resources/76678)
**Author:** [@Dairwolf](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Dairwolf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/approaches-to-fusion-guitar-looking-for-resources/76678 "2024-04-09T15:52:35Z")
Hi everyone, I want to expand my improvisation vocabulary so I thought going for fusion guitar might be a good idea. I feel stuck in a rut of taking scale fragments or arpeggios and repeating them over and over. I will … --- ## [Chord Book Recommendations](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chord-book-recommendations/76706)
**Author:** [@aliendough](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/aliendough)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2024, 8:26am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chord-book-recommendations/76706 "2024-04-07T08:26:35Z")
I’m always on the lookout for some good chord books and am after recommendations. I already have these - Ted Greene Chord Chemistry - I didn’t like it! Sure, there are loads of voicings, but I think the diagrams could … --- ## [What's a good chord for Phrygian?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-a-good-chord-for-phrygian/50541)
**Author:** [@Troy](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Troy)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-a-good-chord-for-phrygian/50541 "2024-04-01T17:05:19Z")
For most modes / tonalities, there’s some chord you can hit that evokes the sound of that. Maj7 for major, min6 for Dorian, minMaj7 for melodic minor, and so on. But all the Phrygian ones kind of suck. Min7 doesn’t so… --- ## [GMusic theoary for beginners](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/gmusic-theoary-for-beginners/75763)
**Author:** [@pickfly](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/pickfly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/gmusic-theoary-for-beginners/75763 "2024-03-06T21:51:10Z")
Can anyone recommend a good book about music theory /music theoary for guitar players book? (which is available online) Thanks in advance --- ## [Solfege: fixed do or movable do](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/solfege-fixed-do-or-movable-do/74461)
**Author:** [@ShadowoftheSun](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/ShadowoftheSun)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2024, 5:30am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/solfege-fixed-do-or-movable-do/74461 "2024-02-02T05:30:49Z")
Afternoon all. I’m just wondering if anyone here is skilled at using solfege, and which system they currently use? Further, do you have any arguments in favour of your specific system etc? --- ## [A non-standard visualization method for chords and scales](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/a-non-standard-visualization-method-for-chords-and-scales/4356)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Gilroy](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Tom_Gilroy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/a-non-standard-visualization-method-for-chords-and-scales/4356 "2023-12-07T19:20:24Z")
Firstly, let me say I have no idea if this will be helpful to anybody. This is just abstract nonsense. I like abstract nonsense. Hopefully, it might at least be interesting. Let me first explain my motivations. When I … --- ## [Theory question with example?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/theory-question-with-example/72454)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/theory-question-with-example/72454 "2023-12-05T13:57:39Z")
I might be completely wrong in my explanation, but what is this note relative to what I was playing? It’s diminished?? Augmented?? --- ## [Here is a quick harmonic upkeep style technique: dominant chains](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/here-is-a-quick-harmonic-upkeep-style-technique-dominant-chains/72453)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/here-is-a-quick-harmonic-upkeep-style-technique-dominant-chains/72453 "2023-12-02T00:14:47Z")
The first video he kind of explains why it is important, if you don’t use it you will lose it. He calls it harmonic upkeep, to keep these moves ingrained into your hands. Second video is for jazz guitar. … --- ## [The more i know the less i know?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-more-i-know-the-less-i-know/72291)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-more-i-know-the-less-i-know/72291 "2023-11-28T18:51:42Z")
so i am just tinkering around with chords on the synth and played a c maj7 ok so riddle me this batman the notes of this chord c e g b c e g - c major triad e g b - e min triad why we call it only c maj 7 when it has… --- ## [My new favorite scale, Augmented](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/my-new-favorite-scale-augmented/72181)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/my-new-favorite-scale-augmented/72181 "2023-11-22T21:29:43Z")
How have I never seen this scale or mentioned of it in not very many places is crazy?! It appears to basically be the augmented triad but with a overlapping of 3 different harmonic tetrachords. It sounds amazing on syn… [Next page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/harmony-theory/37.md?page=1)