BASIC IMPROV THEORY

Here are the important definitions that you will have to memorize:

1. INTERVALS – An interval is the difference in pitch between any two notes measured in whole and half-steps. The lower tone is considered the Root or Tonic; the upper tone is the Interval.

2. SCALES – All scales are predermined pattern of notes arranged in steps and half-steps. A whole step is the distance of two frets on the guitar. Scales are depicted on the staff by notes written in ascending and descending order.

3. CHORDS – The simultaneous sounding of three or more tones called a triad. There are four types of chords and many variations of each. We have Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished chords, plus variations such as 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, 11th, and 13ths.

4. ARPEGGIOS – An arpeggio is some or all notes of a chord played one note at a time.