«Play D, then add E and finish with B. The base chord will be a GMaj7, Bossa Nova style. Arpeggiate an Am7 and change to C6…» What are we talking about? The world of music, like so many other areas, has been greatly influenced by England and North America for decades. Both in terms of sound and art, as well as in its advertising and educational aspects.
In this context, many transcription books and others dedicated to music theory, for example, simply use this nomenclature to designate musical notes and chords. Let's clarify once and for all what these mysterious letters mean.
Musical Notes and the English Code
When reading or listening to the instructions above, some may immediately recognize the structured beauty of a musical chord, while others may feel as if they are deciphering a secret code. This “code” is the language of music through Anglo-Saxon notation, a nomenclature that has transcended borders and has become deeply integrated into music teaching and creation globally. Music, that universal language that connects, excites and transforms us, knows no geographical or cultural boundaries. However, the way we talk about music, how we teach, learn and share it, has been significantly influenced by English and American tradition and culture for decades. From the Beatles, who revolutionized the musical landscape of the 20th century, to the dominance of English-speaking music streaming platforms, the influence of this language in the music world is undeniable. In this context, musical nomenclature in English has become not only a practical tool but a bridge that facilitates artistic and cultural exchange. As we've discussed, many transcription books, music teaching methods, and sheet music use these designations as a standard way to communicate complex musical structures in a simple and direct manner. By clarifying the meaning and use of this nomenclature, we not only expand our musical vocabulary, but we also open doors to a vast world of creative possibilities and artistic appreciation.
Fundamentals of English Music Notation
Music is an art expressed through sounds organized in time, and in order to study and reproduce it, it is essential to have a notation system that allows these sounds to be represented visually. Throughout history, various cultures have developed their own musical notation systems, but today, musical nomenclature in English has become established as a global standard, especially in the field of popular and contemporary music.
The Musical Notes
The English musical alphabet consists of seven letters that correspond to the first seven notes of the diatonic scale, in this order: A (A), B (B), C (C), D (D), E (E), F (F), and G (G). This nomenclature is straightforward and has become widespread in musical communication and learning in the international context.
Comparative Table of Musical Notes:
Spanish NoteEnglish NoteDoCReDMiEFaFSolGLaASiBTabla Comparativa de Notas Musicales Español/Ingles
The Octave and the Alphabetic System
In music, an octave represents the interval between one note and another with twice its vibration frequency, resulting in a sound that, while higher or lower, maintains a similar tonal quality. In English nomenclature, octaves are often indicated by numbers after the note letter (e.g., C4 is middle C on the piano). The system restarts at A after G, and this cycle repeats through the various octaves of the musical spectrum.
Chords and Scales
Understanding how chords and scales are formed is essential for any musician. In this section, we will focus on how these elements are constructed and named using English musical notation.
Chord Formation
A chord is formed when three or more notes are played simultaneously. The basis of most chords is the triad, which includes the root note, the third note, and the fifth note. For example, a C Major chord is made up of the notes C, E, and G. English notation makes it easy to identify these chords and build them from any root note.
Major and Minor Scale
Scales are ordered sequences of notes that serve as the basis for chord formation and musical composition. The major scale is characterized by its bright and cheerful sound, while the minor scale offers a more somber and melancholic tone. In English, scales are named simply by their starting note and the type of scale, for example, “A Major” or “D Minor.”
Reading Chords
Once the basics of notes and scales are established, the next step in our musical journey is to understand how to read and interpret chords. English chord notation not only designates the notes that compose them, but also provides information about their quality, i.e. whether they are major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc…
Chord Symbols
English chord notation uses letters and numbers to indicate the formation and quality of chords. Here are some of the most common symbols:
Major and Minor: Major chords do not have any special markings, just the letter of the root note (e.g., “C” for a C major chord). Minor chords are usually indicated by a lowercase “m” after the letter (e.g., “Am” for an A minor chord).
Seventh (7): Adding a “7” indicates a seventh chord, which adds a fourth note to the triad. For example, “C7” refers to a C chord with a minor seventh added.
Augmented and Diminished: An augmented chord is indicated with an “aug” or plus sign (“+”), while a diminished chord is indicated with a “dim” or minus sign (“-”). For example, “Caug” or “C+” for a C augmented chord, and “Cdim” or “C-” for a C diminished.
Investments and Additions
Investments: An inversion occurs when the note that is normally the root of the chord is moved to another position. Inversions are indicated by slashes and the bass note. For example, “C/E” indicates a C major chord with E as the lowest note.
Additions: The numbers following the chord name indicate additional notes that are added to the basic triad. For example, “Cmaj7” indicates a C major chord with a major seventh added, and “C6” adds a sixth to the C major triad.
Practical Application
Understanding the theory is only half the battle; applying this knowledge into practice is essential to becoming a versatile musician.
Parts Analysis
Choosing well-known pieces and analyzing their chord structure and progressions can be a great way to familiarize yourself with English music notation. For example, analyzing a popular song, identifying its chords and how they contribute to the overall atmosphere of the piece, can provide valuable insights into musical composition.
Exercise
Practicing converting chords and scales between Spanish and English notation will strengthen your understanding and fluency in both systems. For example, taking a Spanish chord progression and translating it to English, and vice versa, will help you solidify this knowledge.
Conclusions
So, we've explored how English musical notation acts as a universal language, allowing musicians from all over the world to communicate, collaborate, and share their artistic creations. This is true whether we like it or not, and understanding this nomenclature opens up a world of creative and educational possibilities, allowing us to access a rich diversity of music and musical literature. With some practice, you'll master this system and it will not only enrich your musical experience, but also connect you in a more direct way with the global musical community. It's not that big a deal, don't you think? Use this code from time to time, when you're writing songs, for example, and in no time it will hold no secrets for you. #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_form { } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_column_with_background { padding: 10px; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_form_column:not(:first-child) { margin-left: 20px; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_paragraph { line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_segment_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_text_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_textarea_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_select_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_radio_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_checkbox_label, 3 .mailpoet_list_label, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_date_label { display: block; font-weight: normal; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_text, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_textarea, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_select, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_date_month, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_date_day, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_date_year, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_date { display :block; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_text, #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_textarea { width: 200px; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_checkbox { } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_submit { } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_divider { } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_message { } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_form_loading { width: 30px; text-align: center; line-height: normal; } #mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_form_loading > span { width: 5px; height: 5px; background-color: #5b5b5b; }#mailpoet_form_3{border: 1px solid #fcb900;border-radius: 40px;text-align: center;}#mailpoet_form_3 form.mailpoet_form {padding: 20px;}#mailpoet_form_3{width: 70%;}#mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_message {margin: 0; padding: 0 20px;}#mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_paragraph.last {margin-bottom: 0} @media (max-width: 500px) {#mailpoet_form_3 {background-image: none;}} @media (min-width: 500px) {#mailpoet_form_3 .last .mailpoet_paragraph:last-child {margin-bottom: 0}} @media (max-width: 500px) {#mailpoet_form_3 .mailpoet_form_column:last-child .mailpoet_paragraph:last-child {margin-bottom: 0}} Please leave this field emptyDo you write songs or would you like to?
Email * I have read and accept the Privacy Policy With the Guide «The journey of a song» Gift Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.