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Home > Guitar Theory Lessons

Guitar Theory Lessons
Learn how music works on guitar


I'm glad you've shown interest in guitar theory lessons because that proves you understand how important this knowledge is, not only to your guitar playing but your actual understanding of music.

In these lessons you'll learn how music works on guitar, and how you can use this knowledge to create your own music with an open mind. Most guitarists don't want to bother with this stuff, and I can only say they don't know what they're missing out on. I'm sure your results will prove most rewarding!

Guitar Theory Lessons Contents

Guitar Fretboard Lessons

First thing's first, make sure you know how the fretboard works. This series includes clear fretboard diagrams and an effective process to help you learn the fretboard, from note positions to intervals.

Part 1: Notes on the Fretboard
Part 2:
Note Relationships
Part 3:
Intervals
Part 4:
Scale Intervals

Recommended: Interactive fretboard learning software


The Major Scale

Learning chord theory is impossible without knowing the major scale. It's the basis of western music, and the scale from which chords and harmonies are constructed and symbolized against. This lesson gives you all the details and provides you with clear diagrams of the major scale in several positions. An essential primer for chord theory.


Sharps and Flats

Ever wondered where sharps (#) and flats (b) come from? This lesson explains how sharps and flats are formed in scales and chords. It should also help you understand how important the major scale is in music theory in general.


Chord Root Notes

Introduces you to the theory behind how root notes work in forming guitar chords. An essential primer for the guitar chord theory lessons below.


Guitar Chord Theory

How to construct chords, from basic major and minor triads to more advanced, extended chords. Take your knowledge of the major scale (above) and use it to discover a wealth of chord voicings on the fretboard, not just the plain old ones you're used to. Easy-to-follow, nothing overwhelming here but very rewarding indeed.

Part 1 - Major & Minor Triads
Part 2 - Augmented & Diminished Triads

Part 3 - 7th Chords

Part 4 - Extended Chords

Part 5 - Chord Voicings (part i)

Part 6 - Advanced Chord Voicings (part ii)


Beginner Arpeggios

First learn how to build arpeggios block by block, then learn how to weave them into your guitar solos. This series introduces you to the world of arpeggios, how to construct them and how you can use them to enhance your solos and create more meaningful lead phrases.


The Modes of the Major Scale

Series which looks at the 7 modes of the major scale. Each lesson takes you through the individual "flavour" and characteristics of each mode, with jam tracks to help you experiment with your own ideas. Finally, we learn how the modes work together as part of a larger musical expression.

Introduction

Mode 1: Ionian
Mode 2:
Dorian
Mode 3: Phrygian
Mode 4: Lydian
Mode 5: Mixolydian
Mode 6: Aeolian
Mode 7: Locrian

The Big Picture

Modal Chord Progressions



How to Solo Over Chords

Learn the chord-scale system - the association between chord and scale tones. This series guides you through the process of selecting the right scales for soloing over the different chord types we learned in the chord theory series.


Building Chord Progressions

Use your knowledge of the modes and discover the "formula" for becoming a songwriting factory. A 4 part lesson that looks at the chord scale and how you can use it to create original melodies. Plus, how to change key and not sound like a complete idiot! If you want to be able to write great songs as the mood strikes you, this is the essential crash course...

Part 1 - Intro to the Chord Scale
Part 2 - Creating Simple Progressions
Part 3 - Minor Key Progressions and Gateway Chords
Part 4 - Changing Key

See also: Guitar Songwriting

Ask Your Guitar Theory Related Question Here...

This is where you can ask any question regarding guitar theory or music theory in general.

Summarise your question or problem

Guitar Theory Questions From Other Visitors

Click below to see submissions from other guitarists. Feel free to comment on the answers provided and help expand the topic...

When to play modes  This is the greatest and funniest guitar lessons website I benifited from during all my career. What puzzles me is: 1 - how do I know when a song is in ...

Finding the key of songs  Question: Can you please share some ways to find out the key of the songs and how to find out the chord progressions by using melody lines in scales....

Learning all the notes and intervals  Question: I've been playing for a while but I have been teaching myself and just learning songs. I'm now in a band and realise that I am far behind in ...

The diversity of harmony and melody  Question: I've gone through most of your lessons and have enjoyed them thoroughly. But what has been confusing me for a while is the following...

The ...

Scales and progressions unique to styles of music  Question: Is there a certain scale or chord progression that is unique to different styles of music? And if so could you give some examples? Thank you....

E and D String Relationships on the Fretboard  Question: In the first example in the 2nd fretboard lesson , the relationship between the low E, high E, and d strings are shown. I get that the two ...

Ideas for writing songs  I've been playing a long time, and in spite of that I still have problems comming up with something worth-while beyond just 2, or 3 chord progressions....

Fretboard Notes  The guitar fretboard has 2 E strings on the low E you label go's E F# F G ,but on the A string it Go's A B flat B C Why are some flats and some sharps?...

Mastering the notes on guitar  Question: I am trying to master the notes on guitar is there an easy way?

Answer

Try breaking it down as detailed in the fretboard lessons .

Mastering ...

How do you change between keys?  Question: When soloing how do you switch between keys to make it sound good? I'm not sure where to move to make the solo sound good.

Answer:

Key ...

How do I know which note/fret to start at?  Question: At 49 years old I thought I'd teach myself to play the guitar. I kinda get the notes, flats, sharps and I am the process of learning to read ...







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