Note Squish for iPhone

Check it out at the app store!

Super Scale System - Screen Shot

Most guitar scale systems use at least five scale patterns covering all six strings. Multiply this by ten or twenty scale types (e.g. major, minor, pentatonic, mixolydian, Dominant 7s, Major 7s, etc.) and a player is left with a monumental task. By comparison the Simple Scale System uses only two patterns, which only cover three or four strings. This reduces the number and size of patterns by about 75%!

The Simple Scale System is able to reduce the number of patterns by a new approach to learning scales. The guitar’s tuning is “fixed” to an equal tuning during the early phases of learning. This allows all scale patterns to be moved anywhere on the fretboard without alteration. Large scales can then be built easily from small repeating scale patterns. Students are taught to adjust these patterns to fit standard tuning and the process is complete.

A tutorial on how to use the system is available free in the courses section of GuitarGames.net.

1. A counter showing where you are within a song was added.
   

   Measure Counter For Songs

2. Also a “Restart” button was added to start songs over. Previously the only option was to keep hitting next, which was not convenient for longer songs.
   

   Restart Button Added

3. An “Equal Tuning” option was added to the guitar view. This changes the guitar’s tuning to all fourths (E A D G C F). More on why anyone would want to do such a thing soon.
   

   Equal Tuning Option

4. Doubled notes were removed in “Position” mode. Previously notes would show double for some scales when they appeared on both the second and third string.
   

   Doubled Notes Removed

First off, a reminder of what a key signature is. Basically a key signature shows the accidentals (sharps and flats) within a key. To build a major scale using a key signature start with one note of every letter name. For example the key of “A”, start with A B C D E F G. Adjust the notes to fit the key signature. The key signature for  ”A” has F# C# G#, so adjust all those notes and you get A B  C# D E F# G# A, which is the “A” major scale.

Now on to memorizing key signatures. Let’s take a look at the key signatures for sharp keys:

G: F#
D: F# C#
A: F# C# G#
E: F# C# G# D#
B: F# C# G# D# A#
F#: F# C# G# D# A# E#

Notice that all keys follow the same pattern. They all start with F#, then move to C#, etc. They differ in the number of sharps, but not in the order of their appearance. If you can memorize the order, and the number each key has, then you would know is signature! To remember the order sharps appear in (called the order of the sharps) use the sentence: Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bananas. (F C G D A E B).

To remember the number of sharps a key has, I put together the following music theory number lines. (Sounds fun, eh?) On a music theory number line sharps are positive and flats are negatives. Any time you move in the positive direction you add sharps, in the negative direction you take away sharps/or add flats when you go below 0. The number lines show the name of a key and the number of sharps or flats in its signature. Notice the following, any time you move up 2 whole steps (2 frets) a signature adds 2 sharps, or if you move back you take a way 2 sharps (or add flats). That is pretty convenient. Move up 2 add 2, move down 2 take away 2. Notice there are two number lines, since if you move by 2s you only get odds or evens. A good place to start on the number lines are the keys of “G” and “C”. Remember that “C” has 0 sharps or flats, and “G” has 1 sharp. Then move up or down the number lines and you can easily find key signatures. Let’s try the key of “B”. “B” is four half-steps higher than “G”, so it will have 4 more sharps for a total of 5. That means it’s signature is: F# C# G# D# A#. Try it out with a few and see for yourself.

Key Signature Number Lines

For flat keys the number lines work equally well, except they follow a different order. The order flats appear in is: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb. Which is the sharp order in reverse. I remember that it starts with the word BEAD, and adds “GCF.” Lets try using the number lines and the order of flats to find the key signature for Ab. Ab has a -4 (4 flats) on the number line, so it’s key signature is Bb Eb Ab Db.

Each method for memorizing key signatures has its advantages and disadvantages. The benefit of using number lines is that they are relatively easy to build and use. I like that they follow a predictable pattern, move up 2 frets get 2 more sharps, move down 2 frets take 2 away. Musical number lines also have other uses (they are helpful in finding parallel minor keys and modes). By thinking of sharps as positives and flats as negatives much of music theory can be simplified to basic arithmetic.

Much like an ordinary calculator speeds up math, Music Theory Calculator speeds up the process of making music. From “C major” to “G9” to “F whole-tone” to “C# Altered Dominant”, Music Theory Calculator will give you the note names and an audio example in an instant.

That brings me to the reason for my post: plans for this year. Here goes-

I’ve been learning Blender (an open-source 3D graphics and game creation tool) and I’m hoping to incorporate some 3D style graphics into a game. Also I’ve put together a prototype of a game that could be played with a real guitar that I think has potential. While writing the book I updated some of the games and I’d like to port those changes over to the site. Including an easier first level on Key Hunt, and rebirth within a level (rather than always having to start at the beginning).  One area that seems lacking in the games is rhythm. A few games for studying rhythm might be nice. Blogging more often and finishing our first movie (a seven minute intro to reading music and rhythm) would be good. I’m half-way finished and it would be a pity to leave it at that.

Lastly, I’ve decided a change in tone around here would be nice. What I mean is, I’d like to let people in to the development process. A little behind-the-scenes view, and community involvement I think would improve the site. My exposure to the open-source community has inspired me that great things can be accomplished when talent is pooled together. Its my hope that the games and resources on the site will benefit from this new tone. I welcome feedback on this, but my plan is to chart work in progress so ideas and user input can be incorporated into the final product.

-Improve your ability to switch chords quickly.
-Increase your speed for lead and solo playing.
-Current and top speed displayed.
-Realistic guitar response to develop good playing habits.