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.

Understanding music can get deep and complex, but in reality it's only as deep and complex as you want it to be. You don't have to take short-cuts, but at the same time you don't have to overload your head with unnecessary clutter.

All you need is your guitar and your brain.

In these lessons you'll learn how music works on your 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!

Make your way through the guitar theory lessons below to learn guitar theory at your own pace. I'm sure the results will be most rewarding!

Guitar Fretboard Lessons

First thing's first, make sure you know how the fretboard works! Could you say where all the positions for "F#" are on your guitar? This lesson includes clear and concise fretboard diagrams and a simple but ingenious way to learn the fretboard. All this is designed to help you learn guitar theory with more confidence.

See also: Learning Fret Intervals

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.

Other major scale lessons:

Unboxing the Major Scale

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.

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)

Arpeggios on Guitar

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

Part 1 - Introduction and How to Build Arpeggios
Part 2 - How to Weave Arpeggios into your Guitar Solos

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

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 Without Messing up!