Hi all,

I am new to the guitar and this board and I have a few questions.

I bought a classical guitar a few days ago and have been doing a lot of research about the guitar and am thoroughly confused about scales – what do they mean? I see scales such as:
harmonic minor
natural minor
Dorian mode
Phrygian
Lydian mode

There are many more like that and I’m curious as to what they mean and how important they are to learn. To be a good musician would I need to know these?

As well, what does like augmented, dim, sus2, sus4, etc. mean when playing chords?

Lastly, what do the 7’s mean in chords? Like A7, B7, C7, etc.?

Info is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Peace.

Try getting some Guitar lessons...

if you don`t know this already you should have taken music lessons before you got a guitar

Hey,
Not to worry abou the last comment. You have two options. You can take guitar lessons with a teacher where they will teach you theory, fingering etc.or you can learn it on your own. If you learn it on your own, try to find a free web site that give you excellent hints and pointers. Good sites will go over music theory and how to build cords and scales. I have to be honest with you, it is hard to learn on your own but very possible. It depends on how hard your going to work. I know the answers to your questions about the dorian etc scales but why tell you. Any good musican will seek and figure it out for self or get lessons.Good luck

I have no money to talk about, but I sure put my name where my mouth is. I`m also here to tell you to disregard any rude remarks from others, keep up the enthusiasm, and if you can - buy a book or take a few lessons, because your questions are pretty detailed and profound at the moment. Strat Man Dwight, w/guitar strategies from beginner to expert