Core Pitch and Note Terms
Note
A note is a named pitch class, like C, F#, or Bb. On guitar, every fret you press produces a note name.
Example: Open 1st string is E. If you fret the 1st string at fret 1, you get F.
Pitch Class
A pitch class groups together every note with the same name, regardless of octave. All C notes belong to the pitch class C, even though some sound higher or lower than others.
Pitch
Pitch is how high or low a sound is. Two notes can have the same note name but different pitch (for example, the same E in different octaves).
Quick check on guitar: Play open 6th string (E) then open 1st string (E). Same note name, very different pitch.
Frequency
Frequency is the number of sound-wave cycles produced each second, measured in hertz (Hz). A faster frequency sounds higher; a slower frequency sounds lower.
Octave
An octave is the distance between a note and the next note with the same name, higher or lower. The sound feels the same, but higher, because it doubles (or halves) in frequency.
Guitar examples (common octave shapes):
- Two strings down, two frets up (E string to D string shape).
- Two strings up, two frets up (D string to B string is the exception: it becomes three frets up because of the tuning gap).
Unison
Unison means the same pitch (or two instruments playing the same pitch together). On guitar you can also get the same pitch on different strings.
Example: Play 2nd string fret 5 (E) and 1st string open (E). Same pitch (unison), different string.
Accidental
An accidental is a symbol that changes a note:
- Sharp (#) raises by one semitone.
- Flat (b) lowers by one semitone.
- Natural (♮) cancels a sharp or flat.
Enharmonic
Enharmonics are different names for the same pitch. F# and Gb sound the same on a guitar in equal temperament, but the spelling matters for understanding keys and chords later.
Equal Temperament
Equal temperament is the tuning system that divides an octave into twelve equally spaced semitones. It allows instruments such as the guitar to play in every key using the same fret spacing.
Distances Between Notes
Semitone (Half Step)
The smallest standard distance in Western music (equal temperament). On guitar, one semitone equals one fret.
Example: 5th string fret 3 is C. 5th string fret 4 is C#. That move is one semitone.
Tone (Whole Step)
A tone equals two semitones. On guitar, that is two frets.
Example: From C (5th string fret 3) up a tone is D (5th string fret 5).
Interval
An interval is the distance between two notes, described by:
- A number (2nd, 3rd, 5th, and so on).
- A quality (major, minor, perfect, diminished, augmented).
Practical meaning: Intervals are the building blocks of melody and chords. If you can recognise and build intervals, you can build almost everything else.
Interval Quality
Interval quality describes the exact size and sound of an interval. Intervals may be major, minor, perfect, diminished, or augmented depending on the number of semitones between the notes.
Root
The root is the note a scale or chord is built from. It is the home base for naming and comparing other notes.
Example: In a C major chord (C E G), C is the root.
Scale Degree
Scale degrees are the notes of a scale labelled relative to the root (1 through 7 in a seven-note scale). This is how we talk about patterns without being locked to one key.
Example in C major:
Scales and Chords
Scale
A scale is an organised set of notes in ascending or descending order. Scales are not just finger patterns. They are note collections that chords and melodies are usually drawn from.
Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale contains all twelve notes used in Western equal temperament. On guitar, it is played by moving one fret at a time until the starting note repeats an octave higher.
Modes
Modes are variations of a parent scale created by starting from different scale degrees. Each mode keeps the same notes but has a different tonal centre and emotional colour.
Practical use: Modes help you shape mood and phrasing over the same key area by changing which note feels like home.
Key
A key is a musical home centred on a tonic note, using a set of notes that naturally fit together (most commonly major or minor).
Simple way to hear it: When a song feels resolved, it often lands on the tonic of the key.
Key Signature
A key signature is the group of sharps or flats written at the beginning of a piece of music. It indicates which notes are normally altered and helps identify the key.
Tonic
The tonic is the home note and chord of a key. In the key of C major, the tonic is C, and the tonic chord is C major.
Chord
A chord is two or more different notes played at the same time. On guitar, chords are often strummed, but they can also be picked (arpeggiated).
Chord Quality
Chord quality describes the type of chord created by its interval formula. Common qualities include major, minor, diminished, and augmented.
Seventh Chord
A seventh chord is a triad with an additional note a seventh above the root. Common examples include major seventh, minor seventh, and dominant seventh chords.
Chord Extension
A chord extension adds notes beyond the seventh, most commonly the ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth. Extensions add colour while the underlying chord quality remains recognisable.
Power Chord
A power chord usually contains a root and perfect fifth, often with the root repeated in another octave. Because it has no third, it is neither major nor minor.
Barre Chord
A barre chord uses one finger to press several strings across the same fret. This creates movable chord shapes that can be played in different keys around the neck.
Triad
A triad is a three-note chord built by stacking thirds from a root:
- Root (1)
- Third (3)
- Fifth (5)
Common triad qualities:
- Major triad: 1 3 5
- Minor triad: 1 b3 5
- Diminished triad: 1 b3 b5
- Augmented triad: 1 3 #5
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time. Same chord tones, different delivery.
Example: Instead of strumming C E G together, pick C then E then G.
Chord Tone
Chord tones are the notes that belong to the chord currently happening. These notes usually sound stable and inside over that chord.
Practical use: When improvising, chord tones are reliable targets for landing notes, especially on strong beats.
Voicing
A voicing is the specific way a chord is arranged on the instrument: which notes, which octave, which order, and which strings.
Example: C major can be voiced as open C (x32010) or as a barre chord at the 8th fret (x35553). Same chord name, different voicing.
Inversion
An inversion is a chord where a note other than the root is the lowest note.
Triad inversions:
- Root position: root is lowest.
- 1st inversion: third is lowest.
- 2nd inversion: fifth is lowest.
Harmony
Melody
A melody is a sequence of notes heard as a recognisable musical line. It may be sung, played as a riff, or performed as a lead-guitar part.
Harmony
Harmony is when two or more different notes sound at the same time. This can be two singers singing different notes, a melody note over a bass note, or a full chord.
Consonance
Consonance describes harmony that sounds stable and at rest.
Dissonance
Dissonance describes harmony that sounds tense or unstable.
Resolution
Resolution is when tension moves to stability. In harmony, this usually means a dissonant note or chord moving to something that sounds more settled.
Chord Progression
A chord progression is a sequence of chords played one after another.
Diatonic
Diatonic means in the key. A diatonic note or chord uses only notes that belong to the current key.
Non-diatonic
Non-diatonic means outside the key. A non-diatonic note or chord uses notes that do not belong to the current key, often to add colour or tension.
Harmonic Function
Harmonic function describes the job a chord is doing in a key. The three main functions are tonic (home), subdominant (moves away), and dominant (creates tension that wants to resolve).
Tonic Function
Tonic function feels like home and rest. These chords sound stable in the key.
Subdominant Function
Subdominant function moves away from the tonic and creates gentle tension.
Dominant Function
Dominant function creates strong tension that usually resolves back to the tonic.
Leading Tone
The leading tone is the 7th scale degree in a major scale. It sits one semitone below the tonic and strongly wants to resolve up to the tonic.
Cadence
A cadence is a progression that creates an ending or a pause.
Common cadences:
- Perfect cadence: V -> I (strong finish)
- Plagal cadence: IV -> I (softer finish)
- Half cadence: ends on V (unfinished feel)
Secondary Dominant
A secondary dominant is a dominant chord that temporarily points to a chord other than the tonic, creating extra pull towards that chord.
Modulation
Modulation is a change of key within a piece of music.
Parallel (Keys)
Parallel major and minor share the same tonic but have different notes, for example C major and C minor.
Relative (Keys)
Relative major and minor share the same notes but have different tonics, for example C major and A minor.
Rhythm Essentials (Foundation Version)
Rhythm
Rhythm is the organisation of sounds and silences through time. It describes when notes begin, how long they last, and how they relate to the beat.
Beat
The steady pulse you tap your foot to. Beats are what we count: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Note Value
A note value shows how long a note lasts relative to the beat. Common values include whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes.
Rest
A rest is a written period of silence. Like notes, rests have values that show how long the silence should last.
Meter
Meter is the recurring pattern of strong and weak beats in music. A time signature is the written symbol used to describe that pattern.
Downbeat
The downbeat is the first and usually strongest beat of a bar. In 4/4 time, it is the beat counted as “one.”
Tempo
How fast the beat goes, usually measured in BPM (beats per minute).
Dynamics
Dynamics are how loud or soft the music is played. They shape emotion and contrast in a part, even when the notes stay the same.
Common dynamics: pp (very soft), p (soft), mp (medium soft), mf (medium loud), f (loud), ff (very loud).
Crescendo and Decrescendo
A crescendo means gradually getting louder. A decrescendo (or diminuendo) means gradually getting softer.
Guitar use: You can apply this through picking strength, strumming intensity, and volume control.
Subdivision
How the beat is split into smaller equal parts.
Common subdivisions:
- Eighth notes: 1 and 2 and
- Sixteenth notes: 1 e and a 2 e and a
Triplet
A triplet divides a beat into three equal parts instead of two or four. It is commonly counted “one-trip-let.”
Syncopation
Syncopation places emphasis on normally weaker beats or between the main beats. It creates rhythmic movement and an off-beat feel.
Bar (Measure)
A bar is a container that groups a certain number of beats, based on the time signature.
Time Signature
A time signature tells you:
- How many beats are in each bar (top number).
- What note value counts as one beat (bottom number).
Common example: 4/4 means four beats per bar, and a quarter note gets one beat.
Guitar Technique and Playing Terms
Fretboard
The fretboard is the playing surface along the guitar neck. Its strings and frets form a grid containing the available notes.
Fret
Metal strip that divides the neck into semitone steps. Pressing behind a fret changes the note.
Standard Tuning
Standard tuning is the most common guitar tuning. From the lowest-pitched sixth string to the highest-pitched first string, the open strings are E, A, D, G, B, and E.
Capo
A capo clamps across the strings at a chosen fret, raising the pitch of every open string. It lets you change key while keeping familiar open-chord shapes.
Position
A region of the neck, usually defined by the fret your first finger naturally sits on (example: 5th position).
Open String
A string played without fretting any note. Open strings are often used for resonance and easier chord shapes.
Muting
Stopping a string from ringing using either hand. Clean playing depends on controlled muting.
Hammer-on
A hammer-on is when you pick one note, then play a second note without picking again. You use another finger to hammer down onto a higher fret so the new note sounds.
Example: Pick the 5th fret, then firmly press down on the 7th fret of the same string without picking again.
Pull-off
A pull-off is the opposite of a hammer-on. You pick a higher note, then lift your finger off so a lower note sounds without picking again.
Example: Fret both the 5th and 7th fret on one string. Pick the 7th fret, then pull your finger off so the 5th fret rings out.
Legato
Legato means playing notes smoothly and connected, often using hammer-ons and pull-offs instead of picking every note.
Staccato
Staccato means playing notes short and separated, often by muting them quickly after they are played.
Slide
A slide is when you play a note, then move your finger up or down the string without lifting it. The sound smoothly changes from one note to another.
Vibrato
Vibrato is a small, controlled movement of a note to make it sound more expressive. On guitar, you do this by gently moving the string back and forth while holding the note.
Bend
A bend is when you push or pull the string sideways to raise the pitch of a note.
Example: If you bend a note by one whole step, it will sound like the note two frets higher.
Palm muting
Palm muting is when you lightly rest the side of your picking hand near the bridge while playing. This makes the notes sound shorter and tighter.
Alternate picking
Alternate picking means switching between downstrokes and upstrokes consistently.
Pattern: Down - up - down - up.
Economy picking
Economy picking is similar to alternate picking, but when you change strings, you continue moving the pick in the same direction if it feels natural.
Sweep picking
Sweep picking is when you move the pick in one smooth motion across several strings, usually when playing arpeggios.
Hybrid picking
Hybrid picking means using a pick and your fingers at the same time. The pick plays some strings, and your fingers pluck others.
Use this glossary whenever a term is unfamiliar. For the first practical step, continue to the musical alphabet, sharps, flats and enharmonic notes.
