The Most Important Piece of Music Theory - Chords of a Key

My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. The link above is an affiliate link, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission on.

[erkivalk]

as a complete beginner, anyone else just watching a bunch of videos aimlessly hoping that something would click? :)

[mikefaulkenberrylivemusic]

How could anybody give Marty a thumbs down??!! He has to be one of the most pleasant people to watch tutorials of on youtube. I mean the guy's intro to every video automatically puts you in a good mood. Thanks Marty for all your videos. My 12 year old son, Ashton, loves watching them and he has learned so much from you as have I, and I've been playing for years. I'd love to sit down and jam with you!

[johnraymond]

Three times I have tried to learn guitar. First when I was a teenager and forced to have classical lessons when I wanted to be a punk. Funny, it did not work out. Second, I was at college and I learnt the pentatonic and chords, but was too shy to jam so never played a song. Third time was during the pandemic, but I was in an area without internet and struggled, picking up many bad habits. I have learnt more watcinig three of your videos than years alone... I feel like a pilgrim who has finally found a teacher.

[jimstone]

Drummer here for allmost 40 years and I knew absolutely Nothing about music theory been in many bands and toured playing music in 10-12 different states back in the 90s...I picked up an accoustic guitar 5 years ago mostly out of curiosity..since then I’ve have learned a tremendous amount from Marty Schwartz..about theory and can play allmost any song..Mostly rhythm guitar..some lead ..but my point is this man Marty Schwartz is the man as far as teaching..i will never be able to repay you Marty what you have given me may have Saved My Life Buddy you will never know....Jim Hammond you man...😂✌️✌️

[akshaymurkute]

Do a lesson on finding key and chords of any song by ear. Thanks for this lesson marty, you're the best!

[rayross]

It's not just a theory, it's a fact, Marty Music is the #1 guitar lesson channel.
Please do more theory vids. Thanks!

[theminister]

No joke: *this really is the most important theory to know.* You'll be able to figure out most pop songs quickly once you know this & the minor version of it.

[ray]

Marty I was struggling with crippling drug addiction, alcoholism and multiple suicide attempts Marty but your videos saved me from all of that I’m only alive because of you Marty thank you

[alvindarkarts]

im a 30 yrs old dude, and have been playing guitar since i was 16, everything I have learned is just self taught and playing by the ear. this vid make a lot of sense and change my point of view, thanks marty! here have my thumbs up and subs!

[mikebrangstrup]

After 15 years of guitar playing, I’ve only just now discovered this, thanks to you. Always been happy in and around the 1-4-5 as it was the only structure I knew. I’m aware I should probably have figured this out earlier, but Marty you’ve done it again. 🙏🏻

[ginger]

Hands down, the best lessons I have ever had. My family purchased a guitar for me when I was thirteen, and I tried formal lessons where I learned nothing. It's as if they were speaking Greek and extremely boring, I might add. I'm now in my fourties. A guitar was gifted to me, and I found Marty. In less than one year I am able to play tunes by Chris Stapleton to Jimmy Page, and I have Marty to thank for that. He makes it fun and easy from the very beginning! Many thanks to you, Marty. You make the learning process an enjoyable one.

[Rob_Lee]

Really big fan of Marty’s. I decided to learn to play the guitar at 36 during quarantine and these videos have been a big help. Just got my Schwartzinator pedal and man, all I can say is thank you. I didn’t know I would love learning to play the guitar so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for music. 🤘🏻Rock on Marty!

[RockyMountainHiGuy]

I’ve been ‘playing’ guitar (or so I thought) for 50 years - I learn more from you Marty in these videos than in years of hacking away on my own. Brilliant - you’re an outstanding tutor. Thanks so much for all of these.

[deslaya]

Great video. Theory still blows right over my head but I think I'm very slowly starting to put the pieces together.

[nir]

*R* *W* *W* *H* *W* *W* *W* *H* - major scale
[R= root note ; W=whole step ; H=half step]

[Teeheeweewee]

I’m so glad I found you! I joined a band two weeks before lockdown and now I have time to learn the guitar, I’m sure that when I’m released I’ll impress my bandmates - all with your help.

[drkatel]

This was extraordinarily helpful. The visual of seeing it laid out on the fretboard made all the difference for me. I finally get how the chords of a scale are determined. Thank you so much!

[jefflang]

I remember saying to my guitar teacher 20 years ago "if there is one thing i have found the greatest fundamental lesson, it would be scale tone chords" and here Marty is saying the same thing.

[fredtaylor]

Holy crap! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This it's the lesson I didn't know I needed. The hardest part of learning this stuff is not knowing what questions to ask, this answered some and now I know what to look for!

[oeproductions]

My man! I have been lazily trying to learn guitar for 5 years and you just blew my mind @ 3:26. I feel like an idiot for not realizing it sooner but you just caused a paradigm shift for me, thanks Marty! Keep em comin', we love you and thank you for all your wisdom and generosity.