MUSIC THEORY

IN FULL COLOR
A VISUAL GUIDE TO SONGWRITING

Bo
o F o
E
Am Em
Dm
C G
Ao

C
F

o
Gm

Bm
D
B

Fm
G
Cm
Do

A
E

o
E
A

Cm
Fm

D B
D

G
o
G

Gm
Bm Em
A
Co o
Fo

COURSE OVERVIEW
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

This course is designed to help you master the art of songwriting. Using color, it
explains the patterns of music — like scales, modes, chords, and progressions — so
you understand how they really work.

With this knowledge, you’ll then be able to write songs that sound amazing — and
have fun doing it .

The course includes 20 lessons divided into 5 parts, where each part builds
on the last until you reach the heights of musical mastery.

Beyond Diatonic Theory

Expanding Your Palette

Going Even Further

Chord Inversions
The Fretboard Matrix
The Power of Perspective
20
19
18
How to Structure Songs 17
N
TIO
The Art of Songwriting

16 A
Z

I
OV
The Layers of Music
The History of Notation

PR
How Notation Works

IM
Exploring Harmonic Space

15
Music = Space + Time
How Chords Function

14
Making Your Own Music

How to Build Chords

Chord Progressions
Visible Relationships

13
Notes and Intervals
How To See Sound

12
N
Scale Degrees

TI
O

11 SI
10 PO
OM
9 C
7 8
5 6 E
0 1 2 3 4 TIM
DS
CHOR
FUNDAMENTALS

The following pages are an overview of what you’ll learn in each lesson on
your climb to songwriting greatness….

mikegeorge.locals.com 2
 Making Your Own Music

How To See Sound

Notes and Intervals

Visible Relationships

songwriting
foundation in
0 1 2 3 4
Scale Degrees

of music for a solid

FUNDAMENTALS

Master the essentials

5
How to Build Chords

6
Chord Progressions

CHOR

mikegeorge.locals.com
How Chords Function

DS
7 8
Exploring Harmonic Space

9
Music = Space + Time

TIM
10
How Notation Works

E
Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

11
The History of Notation

12
The Layers of Music

CO
M
13
The Art of Songwriting

PO
SI
14
How to Structure Songs

TI
O
N
15
The Power of Perspective
16

The Fretboard Matrix

IM
17

PR
OV Chord Inversions
I
Z
18

Expanding Your Palette

A

3
19

Going Even Further

TIO
N
PART 1: FUNDAMENTALS

20

Beyond Diatonic Theory

 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 1: how to see sound

You’ll learn about the 12 notes
of music, which are the basic C D F G A
C D E F G A B
D E G A B
building blocks of everything
you will create.

C F G A
C D E F G A B
You will also learn the naming D E G A B

conventions for notes so you

understand the vocabulary
of music.

A B B CC C D D E
A F
G F
FF
G
GG G
E
E A
D A

You’ll then walk through the

B
D

C
C

C
B

DD
BB

D
A

E
A

five simple steps needed to

G

FF
G

G
F

G
E

AA
EE

colorize these notes, to truly

A
D

B
D

C C
CB

D
B

visualize the patterns they form.

D
A

EE
AA
G

F
F
G

G
F

G
E
E A
D A
DD BB
C C
C C
B D D
A A GG F E
G

Finally, you’ll see how these

12 colors apply to the guitar
fretboard in a logical and
elegant way.

mikegeorge.locals.com 4
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 2 : notes and intervals

A B CC D
E
F
GG
G

FF
You’ll look in more detail at the E A
D

B
C
C
“Holy Trinity” of music patterns:

DD
C C

BB
B D F G

E
A
G

F
D

D
B

B
G
F
the chromatic scale,

E
A

A
AA

E
EE

B
D
E

E
A

A
C
major

C
the major scale, and
G F D B

D
B
G G

scales

EE
AA
chromatic circle

F
G
the circle of fifths

F
G
E A

scale of fifths
DD BB
C C
B
A GG E D

C G
F

D
B
A

A
E
D
Using these three patterns, you

E
G
D
G
B
C
F

will learn how to navigate the C C E F F

G G G
A A A
B B C C
D D D
E E
B D

guitar fretboard in all 12 keys.

C D F G A
B C D D E E F G G A A B B
D
B
A

G A C D F
G A A B B C D D E E F G G
D
A

D F G A C
D E E F G G A A B B C D D
A

A C D F G
A B C D E F G A
G

F B D E G A
G G
F G A C D
F
E F G G A A B B C D D E E

Using colors and shapes,

you’ll also see how to label all 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8

the intervals using numbers C D E F G A B C

D E G A B
called “scale degrees.”

C
B D

Finally, you will see how colors 7 1 2

D
B

aid an understanding of notes

7

E
A

3 3

and intervals using one simple

6

set of symbols.
5 5
4
E
A

G F
G

mikegeorge.locals.com 5
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 3 : visible relationships

C D
B
1
You will see that the colors show more 7 2

D
B
7

2
than just specific notes and intervals.

E
A
6

3
They also highlight the relationships

3
E
A
that exist between all pitches.
5 4
5
G F
G

15
14
8
7 9
1
2

You’ll gain even greater insight into

14

9
7
C D
B

2
the symbols used to label scale degrees,

D
B

E
13

10
A
6

3
E
including compound intervals.

A
G F
G

3
6

10
13 4
5
5
11
12
12

C D
B
1 2
7
Using color, you’ll see that notes have
D
B
7

a life of their own, and that some share

E
A
6

stronger connections than others.

6

3
E
A

5 4
5
G F
G

Finally, you’ll discover the underlying

energy that makes music such a
powerful and compelling art form,
which you can then harness as a
songwriter.

mikegeorge.locals.com 6
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 4 : scale degrees

You’ll see ( even more clearly )
how the patterns of color
perfectly align with the patterns
in music — in every key.

You’ll gain a stronger

understanding of how these
patterns apply to the guitar
fretboard. So you can use
them to your advantage.

Using color, you’ll explore the

fundamental symmetry within
(and between) keys … to see
how they’re all interconnected.

Finally, you’ll learn how to 7

1 2 x o o
advance with vision — knowing 1
7

2
6

how notes relate in any diagram 3

6

4
or configuration.
5 5

mikegeorge.locals.com 7
 Making Your Own Music

How To See Sound

Notes and Intervals

Visible Relationships

0 1 2 3 4
Scale Degrees

FUNDAMENTALS
5
How to Build Chords

6
Chord Progressions

CHOR

mikegeorge.locals.com
How Chords Function

DS
7 8

progressions
Exploring Harmonic Space

and art of harmony to

craft compelling chord
Understand the science
9
Music = Space + Time

TIM
10
How Notation Works

E
Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

11
The History of Notation

12
The Layers of Music

CO
M
13
The Art of Songwriting

PO
SI
14
How to Structure Songs

TI
O
N
15
The Power of Perspective
PART 2: CHORDS

16

The Fretboard Matrix

IM
17

PR
OV Chord Inversions
I
Z
18

Expanding Your Palette

A

8
19

Going Even Further

TIO
N
20

Beyond Diatonic Theory

 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 5 : how to build chords

You’ll look at why chords are
used in the first place—so you
really know how to weave them chords
into songs.

You will see exactly how chords

are constructed—all through a
pattern of scale degrees that’s
consistent in every key.

C D E F G A B C D E F

MAJOR I C E G
You’ll explore the labels D F A
minor
musicians use to reference E G B

F A C
chords, including all their MAJOR
G B D
descriptive names and numerals. minor v A C E

diminished v B D F

C Dm Em
You’ll then practice playing x o o x x o o o o o
chords in all 12 keys—to gain 1 2
2 3 2 3
a solid understanding of how 3 4

they work.
I

mikegeorge.locals.com 9
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 6 : chord progressions

You’ll see how chords are just
an extension of scales. So you G Am Bm C D Em F o
o o o x o o x x o o x x o o o o o x x x

can rearrange them like the 1 1 1

1 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 3
2 3 2 3 3
3 4

notes of a melody to create I v v

any progression.

I
C G
You will understand why chords

D
I , , and are so popular in

A
songs today.

E
v
B
F
v

You’ll play songs by some

of the most iconic artists in
history—to learn the essentials
of composition.

You’ll also explore how the

Beatles crafted their own music
using the power of harmony.

mikegeorge.locals.com 10
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 7 : how chords function

A
You’ll discover an unexpected F
v
link between the chords in a C

key so you can better visualize D

the movement in a progression. E

v G
B
I

A
CHANGE F
You will learn how each chord v TENSION
C
functions in a song so you know
D
the best ways to arrange the
v G
E
various harmonies. I
B

STABILITY

G DRIVE MY CAR
You’ll see how to dissect A
F
v
A
F
v
A
F
v

songs using harmonic “heat

C C C

D D D

v G v G v G
E B E B E B

maps” to really understand

I I I

verse chorus bridge

I v I
their structures.
I v I

I v I

e same
sam I
D

You will also see how all 12 keys v

B
A
E F
sa
are symmetrical, and totally m
G C F
e v G v
C
m

I
sa

interconnected—to inform B C v
A E
I I D
F G
E

your songwriting going forward.

G
A

D
v

C
v

v
C

I
D
B
E

A
v
G

F
B

D
v

B
D

mikegeorge.locals.com 11
v

A
I
E

v
G
F

v
A

E
C

C v
E

A
E
A
I

I
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 8 : exploring harmonic space

1966 1970 1974 1976
SUNSHINE WHO’LL STOP SWEET HOME BEAST OF
SUPERMAN THE RAIN ALABAMA BURDEN

You’ll dissect 15 different songs 1968 1972 1976 1980

OB-LA-DI, MOTHER AND SILLY LOVE (JUST LIKE)

to see exactly how they were OB-LA-DA CHILD REUNION SONGS STARTING OVER

composed using chord LEAVING ON

1969 1973 1977
YOU MAKE
THE JOKER
A JET PLANE LOVING FUN

progressions. 1967 1971 1975 1979

A WHITER ROCK SISTER DOES YOUR
SHADE OF PALE AND ROLL GOLDEN HAIR MOTHER KNOW

You will also learn the stories

behind these tunes to humanize
the artists and demystify the art.

TENSION
You’ll see how chord function
is used to propel the music CHANGE

forward.
STABILITY I I I I

D Bri
B
dg
v A
e
E F
G C F
v G v
C
I

You will discover how some

v
B C
I
A EE v
I D
F GG
E

v
G
A

chords can be used to totally

F

D
MODULATION
v

C
v

v
C

I
D
B

alter the sound of music.

E

A
v
G

F
B

D
v

Verse
B
D
v

AA
I
E

v
G
G
F

v
A

E
C

C v
E

A
E
A
I

F
G
v

v
F

G
v

mikegeorge.locals.com 12
B

v
D

D B
B

A I I
B D
v G E
v
I
G
v D v
C G C
C A

E v
F
A
 Making Your Own Music

How To See Sound

Notes and Intervals

Visible Relationships

0 1 2 3 4
Scale Degrees

FUNDAMENTALS
5
How to Build Chords

6
Chord Progressions

CHOR

mikegeorge.locals.com
How Chords Function

DS
7 8
Exploring Harmonic Space

9
Music = Space + Time

TIM
10
How Notation Works

E
Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

11
The History of Notation

function of time so
you can write songs
with real movement
Learn how music is a
12
The Layers of Music

CO
M
13
The Art of Songwriting

PO
SI
14
How to Structure Songs

TI
O
N
PART 3: TIME

15
The Power of Perspective
16

The Fretboard Matrix

IM
17

PR
OV Chord Inversions
I
Z
18

Expanding Your Palette

A

13
19

Going Even Further

TIO
N
20

Beyond Diatonic Theory

 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 9 : music = space + time

pitches
You will explore the spatial
nature of music, which is
fundamental to the art.
intervals

12
11 1
You’ll also answer the question 10 2
of how time is illustrated in a 9 3
song. 8 4
7 5
6

pitch
(space)

You will learn the basic structure

of standard music notation.
rhythm
(time)

You’ll also understand why

notation can actually be worth
learning ( now that you already
know music theory ).

mikegeorge.locals.com 14
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 10 : how notation works

You will learn how notation

illustrates the two main time
elements of music: space and
time.
space

RHYTHM PITCH
You’ll gain a solid understanding
of all the standard symbols used – measures – staves
in notation to make music. – duration – clefs
– time signatures – key signatures

5 7 8 8
You’ll understand exactly how T 8 8 8 6 6 8 6
5 string
A lines
guitar tablature works (and why B
it’s inherently limited).
fret
numbers
C E G B D F A

You will also clearly see how

E
G
B

notation distorts the natural

C

patterns of music.
D

mikegeorge.locals.com 15
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 11 : the history of notation

The birth
of modern
notation
The dawn The full
You will learn about events that of neumatic entrenchment

Today
notation of notation
shaped the development of
standard notation. 9th 1026 1439

Antiquity
Century
The creation of a monster

You’ll discover the fundamental

flaws of notation that compromise
its utility.

You will explore the true nature

of notation to see the system in
its proper perspective.

You’ll see how these insights

into notation can be used to
your advantage in songwriting.

mikegeorge.locals.com 16
 Making Your Own Music

How To See Sound

Notes and Intervals

Visible Relationships

0 1 2 3 4
Scale Degrees

FUNDAMENTALS
5
How to Build Chords

6
Chord Progressions

CHOR

mikegeorge.locals.com
How Chords Function

DS
7 8
Exploring Harmonic Space

9
Music = Space + Time

TIM
10
How Notation Works

E
Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

11
The History of Notation

12
The Layers of Music

CO
M
13
The Art of Songwriting

PO
SI
14
How to Structure Songs

TI

awesome
O
N
15
The Power of Perspective

Compose clear
and compelling
songs that sound
16

The Fretboard Matrix

IM
17

PR
OV Chord Inversions
I
Z
18

Expanding Your Palette

A

17
PART 4: COMPOSITION

19

Going Even Further

TIO
N
20

Beyond Diatonic Theory

 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 12 : the layers of music

LYRICS
You’ll explore the four basic
MELODY
layers of music you hear in
HARMONY
every song.
RHYTHM

LYRICS

You will see how these layers MELODY

HARMONY
interweave to form one cohesive RHYTHM
whole.

melody
You’ll examine the special
interplay (and link) between
melody and harmony in
particular.
harmony

C D
You’ll also dissect a variety of
songs to solidify these concepts.
As the black-bird in the spring

mikegeorge.locals.com 18
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 13 : the art of songwriting

You’ll dispel the myth that

creativity is magic so you can
enjoy the songwriting process.

You will see how Paul

McCartney composed one
of his best tunes to know how
great songs are formed.

LYRICS 2 1 3
You’ll build a variety of songs—
MELODY 3 2 1
all in different ways—to find
HARMONY 4 3 2
what works best for you. RHYTHM 1 4 4

You will also learn some tips 

for testing your ideas to gauge
the true quality of a song.

mikegeorge.locals.com 19
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 14 : how to structure songs

poem 1 2 3 4

song 1 2 3 4 1 1
You’ll learn how to propel
your songs through time using
different song sections.
0 : 00 0 : 30 1 : 00 1 : 30 2 : 00 2 : 30 3 : 00 3 : 30 4 : 00 4 : 30 5 : 00

SUITABLE DURATION

You will discover the most

common types of song sections Intro Verse Bridge Pre-chorus Chorus Interlude Outro

and how they are used.

You’ll explore how change and change

repetition are employed to give
music a sense of balance. repetition

You will also use song form to Intro Verse

1
Chorus
1
Verse
2
Chorus
2
Bridge
1
Chorus
3
Verse
3
Chorus
4
Outro

gain a “bird’s-eye view” of any start finish

composition.
entire song

mikegeorge.locals.com 20
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 15 : the power of perspective

You’ll learn the songwriting trick A

F
G Em Am D
of viewing music with a kind of o o o o o o o x x o
v
x o o
1 C
1 2 3 2 3 1 2

“split-screen” perspective—from
2 3 3
D

I v v G
both up close and afar. E
I
B

You will practice building songs

with a screenwriter’s foresight
for optimal impact.

ic.
e mus
of th the
rhythm g to
the pr ayin
ht you

You’ll dissect and explore some

in g to caug
sway
you
Am saw
I
ing,
play
ht you
C Caug

excellent songs by other artists

A F
v you.
D side
in - there.
C D voice in g
sway .
you to be
Am saw ant
G
B I Am you w
t

to glean best practices.

E
v
wha e!
of m
I
t
Am in fron ’re
care I’m they
t
Em don’
I
far, Am say, hey!
-
so they
ck what
Em go ba
I
- ter hey,
mat
do esn’t
way,
Em
A F It
v a -
me
C
Em the ga
D
giving nigh
t.
to -
world
B G
G e
v
n see th
E I
I ca .
future
the
in - to
Look
Am

Am

G C D
You’ll also begin to zoom in
for a closer look at the chord
patterns you play on the guitar.

mikegeorge.locals.com 21
 Making Your Own Music

How To See Sound

Notes and Intervals

Visible Relationships

0 1 2 3 4
Scale Degrees

FUNDAMENTALS
5
How to Build Chords

6
Chord Progressions

CHOR

mikegeorge.locals.com
How Chords Function

DS
7 8
Exploring Harmonic Space

9
Music = Space + Time

TIM
10
How Notation Works

E
Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

11
The History of Notation

12
The Layers of Music

CO
M
13
The Art of Songwriting

PO
SI
14
How to Structure Songs

TI
O
N
15
The Power of Perspective
16

The Fretboard Matrix

IM
17

PR
OV Chord Inversions
I
Z
18

Expanding Your Palette

A

22
19

Going Even Further

TIO
N
PART 5: IMPROVIZATION

music on-the-fly
20

Beyond Diatonic Theory

Expand your skills

to create powerful
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 16 : the fretboard matrix

You’ll expand the guitar
fretboard to see that it’s an
infinite Cartesian coordinate x-axis
system that’s totally
understandable.
y-axis

3 4 1 4
5
4 4

3
7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5
4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2

2
2 2 3 3 4 4
5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 6 6
5
You’ll see how all 12 keys form
5 5

6
4
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3
4 4
3 3 4 7 1 2 3 3 4 7
6
5 5 6 6 7 2 5 5 6 6 7

the same, predictable pattern

4 4
7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4
7
5 5

4 4
4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2

7 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 2
of symmetry within this plane. 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3

2
4 4
2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7

7
4
6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4
3
5

4 4
3 4 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 1
6
5 5

3
4 1 4
5 5 6

You will learn how all keys

overlap in a fractal and cyclical
array that’s easy to navigate.

You’ll also learn that the

fretboard is essentially a torus
of infinitely repeating notes,
which informs the way you play.

mikegeorge.locals.com 23
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 17 : chord inversions

C C C C C
You’ll learn how to play even 1
2
x
1
2
1
2
x
1
2
1
2
x x

more chord shapes ( “inversions” )

3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5

up and down the fretboard.

6 6 6 6 6
7 7 7 7 7
8 8 8 8 8
9 9 9 9 9
10 10 10 10 10
11 11 11 11 11
12 12 12 12 12
13 13 13 13 13
14 14 14 14 14
15 15 15 15 15
16 16 16 16 16

C
C A
A G
G E
E D
D
You’ll master what musicians x o o o o o o o o x o o o x x o
1 1 1 1 1 1 1

call the “CAGED” system of 2

3 3
2 2
3
2 3 4 2
3 2
1 2
3
2 3 2
3
1
3
2

4 4 4 4 4

categorizing chords to quickly 5

6
5
6
5
6
5
6
5
6
7 7 7 7 7

navigate the fretboard. 8

9
10
8
9
10
8
9
10
8
9
10
8
9
10
11 11 11 11 11
12 12 12 12 12
13 13 13 13 13
14 14 14 14 14
15 15 15 15 15
16 16 16 16 16

You will see how other

songwriters have used
inversions to inject variety
into their music.

INGREDIENTS:
C E
A A
G B
E D
You’ll also practice using chord 1
o
1
o o
1
o o o x
1
o
1
o o

2 2 3 2 1 2 2 3

inversions yourself to craft fresh 3

4
3 2
4
3
4
5 5 5

and interesting songs. 6

7
8
6
7
8
6
7
8
9 9 9

open
10 10 10
11 11 11
12
13
12
13 barred12
13
14 14 14
15 15 15
16 16 16

mikegeorge.locals.com 24
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 18 : expanding your palette

chromatic C D D E E F G G G A B B C D D D E F F G A A B B

Ionian C D D E E F G G G A B B C D D D E F F G A A B B

M 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

D v sus2
sus
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

B 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

You will learn how to build 9

7
5 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14
6 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

seventh and extended chords F

11 sus2
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
5

5
5

5
5

5
6

6
7
7
7
7
8
8
9

9
9

9
9 10

9 10
11
11
11 12
11 12
13 13
13 13
14 14
14 14

G
to add more depth and nuance sus

add 9
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

to music. 13 C 3
9
6 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14
A E
9 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

I
11 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14
v 13 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14

Ionian C D E F G A B C

You’ll learn all about relative Dorian C D E F G A B C D E F G A B

Phrygian C D E F G A B C D E F G A
and parallel modes to explore
Lydian C D E F G A B C D E F G
new musical territory in your Mixolydian C D E F G A B C D E F

songwriting. Aeolian C D E F G A B C D E

Locrian C D E F G A B C D

D v D
9 7
B
B
9
You will learn how to play 7
F
11 F 11 G v
extended chords in every mode
G
and key. 1 13 1 3
13 C 3 C
A E A E

v I v III

III
You’ll play songs using various
v v
modes and extended chords
to make music that’s even more III

expressive.
v v

mikegeorge.locals.com 25
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 19 : going even further

Bo
o F o
E
Am Em
Dm
You’ll learn how to use the circle C G

Ao

C
F

o
Gm

Bm
of fifths to truly master chord

D
B

Fm
G
Cm
Do

A
E
relationships in the progressions

o
E
A

Cm
Fm
B
you write.
D

D
G

o
G

o
Gm
Bm Em
A
Co o
Fo

ian Lyd
olyd Ionian ian
ix
Ionian I v v v Bo

Dor M
o F vo
You will use modes in the circle E

ian
Avm
Dorian III v v Dm
Em
CI G

Ao

C
F
Phrygian

v
of fifths to easily reach further

o
III v v v

vBm
Gvm
Aeolian

D
B
Lydian I v v v

F vm
Gvo
Cm
o

EIII

A
D
into unexpected harmonic Mixolydian

EIII
I v v

A
n

Cm
Fm
v
B

a
D

D
G

vGo
i
Aeolian
territory.

yg

o
Gm
III v v B vm Em v

hr
A
Locrian
Co vo
v v P Fo v

rian
Loc

Ion
ian
v
v
n
lia

v v
You will explore the use of
Aeo

I
v

borrowed chords and modal

III

v
v
v

mixture to craft cool progressions.

v

III
v
v

v
v
v

v
I C E G

v 7 D F A C
v
You’ll experiment with adding I III E G B B
v

v
v

F A C

unexpected harmonies for B D F

III

v
v

C E G
III

maximum artistic effect.

v

D F A
v

v v
v G B D
v
I C E G

mikegeorge.locals.com 26
 Music Theory in Full Color: Overview

LESSON 20 : beyond diatonic theory

You’ll get a clear recap of what 18 19

20
17
N
we’ve covered in this course so 16
RO
VIZ
ATIO

P
IM
you know exactly where you 14
15

13
stand. 10
11
12
PO
SIT
IO
N

9 M
8 CO
5 6 7
0 1 2 3 4 TIME
CHORDS
FUNDAMENTALS

You’ll gain even greater insight

into what music really is.

You will pick up some extra

ideas for taking your art to the
next level.

Scales Chords Modes

Progressions
2 4 2 4 2 4
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Major
(Ionian) 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 M 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
4 2 4
Chromatic 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
1 2 3 4 7 8 sus2 1 2 2
3 4 4 5
7 1 2 2
3 4 4 5
7 Ionian:

You’ll also get an inside look

Spanish 8-Tone 2 3 5 5 6 6 7 2 3 5 5 6 6 7 2 3 5 5 6 6 7 Major: 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8
(Major)
Flamenco 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 sus 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 I v v I
Symmetrical
(Inverted Diminished) 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 5 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
2 4
Diminished 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Bebop Major 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 5 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7

at other scales and modes to

2 4 2 4 2 4
Bop 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 Natural minor:
Dorian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8
4 2 4 v v
Ultra Locrian 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 v
Super Locrian
(Ravel/Altered) 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7

6
4 2 4
Locrian 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Phrygian 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 2
3 4 4
5 5
6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 4 4
5 5
6 7 7

play on your path to songwriting

5 3 5 6 3 5 6

Neapolitan Minor 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 Harmonic minor:
Phrygian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8
Javanese 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 7 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 v v v v

Neapolitan Major 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Todi 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7

mastery.
Enigmatic Minor 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
6 6 6 7 8 7sus2 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Persian 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 7sus 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 Melodic minor:
Lydian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
45 5 5
6 6 7 7 8

75
2 2 2 4
Oriental 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 I v vv vv I
Major Phrygian 1 2 2
3 4 4
7 8 1 2 3 3 4 5
7 1 2 2
3 4 4 5
7
(Spanish/Jewish) 2 3 5 5 6 6 7 2 5 5 6 6 7 2 3 5 5 6 6 7
Double Harmonic
(Gypsy/Byzantine/Arabic) 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
2 2 4 2 4
Marva 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
2 4 2 4
Enigmatic 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 Mixolydian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8
Locrian Natural 2nd 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 sus2 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 I v v I
Natural Minor
1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 sus 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
(Aeolian/Algerian 2/Ethiopian)
Harmonic Minor 3 4 5 2
3 2
3 4
(Mohammedan) 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
4 2 4
Dorian 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Melodic Minor (Asc.) 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5
6 7 7 8 1 2 2 2
3 4 4
5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 2
3 4 4
5 5
6 7 7 Aeolian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 6 6 7 7 8
(Hawaiian/Jazz Minor) 5 6 3 5 3 5 6
(Natural Minor) 5

4 2 4 v v
Hungarian Gypsy 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Hungarian Minor
1 2 3 7 2
3 4 2
3 4
(Algerian) 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
9 2 4 2 4
Romanian 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 9 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Major Locrian 2 9 4 2 4
(Arabian 1) 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 6 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 9 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Hindu 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 9 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 Locrian: 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8

mikegeorge.locals.com 27
Ethiopian 1 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 9 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 v v

Mixolydian 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 9 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Mixolydian Augmented 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 9 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Harmonic Major 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 9 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Lydian Minor 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 9 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Lydian Dominant 1 2 2
3 4 5
7 8 9 1 2 3 4 4 5
7 1 2
3 4 4 5
7
(Overtone) 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 2 3 5 5 6 6 7 2 9 3 5 5 6 6 7
Lydian 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 9 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Lydian Augmented 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 9 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Leading Whole Tone 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 9 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Hungarian Major
95
2 4
(Lydian Sharp 2nd) 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 2 2 9 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7

95
2 2 2 4
Whole Tone 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7 1 9 2 3 3 4 5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Major Blues 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5 6 7 7 1 9 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7
Augmented 1 2 2 2 3 4 4
5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 1 2 2 2
3 3 4 4
5 5 5 6 7 7 1 2 2 9 3 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 7 7