Guitar Theory Lessons
Boring, but necessary!

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 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 your knowledge to create your own music with an open mind. Most guitarists don't want to bother with this stuff, so my advice? Get ahead of the game! You won't be able to imagine not knowing this stuff once you learn it...just don't get too big headed, OK? :)

Make your way through the guitar theory lessons below to learn guitar theory in a more practical way, working 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 which chords and harmonies are constructed from and symbolized against. This lesson gives you all the details and provides you with clear diagrams of the major scale in "out-of-the-box" positions. An essential primer for chord theory.

Guitar Chord Theory

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

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)

Understanding Guitar Modes

Modes are just flavours of the natural major and minor scales. These lessons introduce you to the 7 modes and their main functions. In part 2 we look at how knowing your modes and intervals will instantly open up the whole fretboard for your soloing. It's a case of choosing your "flavour" for the chord being played and aligning the scale pattern. If modes and their weird tribal names ever confused you, this is the place to clear things up.

Part 1 - Introduction to the 7 Modes
Part 2 - How the Modes Work Together

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 by the bucket load, 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!