Guitar Music Theory

Is guitar talent something you’re born with, or is it something you develop through study and practice? How do you know when you’ve reached your limits? When should you give up on something? I answer these questions and discuss how to make the best of your guitar playing in my latest podcast episode.   What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website and click on the answer that best describes you. Get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. Get on a plan to progressively play and sound better today. 

In this free guitar lesson you get to know how the chords in “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals fit together. This includes a discussion on parallel scales, modal interchange, and voice leading. I also answer email questions.

In episode 44 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I explain what sus2 and sus4 chords are and how they get used in familiar songs. What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website and click on the answer that best describes you. Get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. 

What do the songs “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner, and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses have in common?   They all make use of a perfect 4th interval over the IV chord.   Why do you need to know this? Because it's a common composition technique used in popular music and it helps you understand why songs often contain notes that are out of key.   I explain all the details and play through examples in today's podcast episode.    What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website and click on the answer that best describes you. Get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. 

What kind of guitar amplifier and effects pedals do you need to play a gig? Should you mic your amp or go direct using a digital amp emulation device? In this free guitar lesson, I tell you what you need to know in order to be prepared for your next live performance. What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website and click on the answer that best describes you. Get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. 

In this free guitar lesson, I analyze some of the guitar parts heard in the song “Tom Sawyer” by Rush and explain how the parts work.   You get to know the song’s music theory including the key, chords, chord progressions, scales, modes, and more.   I also discuss guitarist Alex Lifeson’s musical influences and how “Tom Sawyer” borrows ideas from music by The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Cream.   What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website and click on the answer that best describes you. Get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. 

In this free guitar lesson, I show you how to play the guitar chords to “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms.   You see how the song makes use of jazzy composition techniques such as voice leading, secondary dominants, and diminished passing chords.   Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website to enroll in a FREE guitar course and join the email list GUITAR GEAR PRS SE Mira Frost Blue Metallic w/ Mint Pickguard Kemper Profiling Amplifier

In this free guitar lesson, you are taught music intervals and why it’s so important for guitarists to learn them.   Get to know interval shapes and interval names such as 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, and 7ths.   Follow the exercises to become more familiar with identifying intervals on the guitar fretboard and recognizing their sound by ear.   This lesson is suitable for guitarists from beginners to intermediate to advanced.   Enroll in my FREE Music Theory course

In episode 35 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk with HW from Tone Junkie. We discuss digital amp technology, the Kemper profiling amp, and how the Tone Junkie company got started.   If you would like to learn how to play guitar better, go to the link below, answer the questions I ask you about your playing, and receive FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.   FREE VIDEO

In this free guitar lesson, you learn how to use a guitar looper pedal.   See how to start and stop your loop on time.   Get ideas on how to practice and perform music with a looper pedal.   What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Get FREE custom video instruction CALIBRATED to your current level and discover how to PROGRESSIVELY play and sound better—today—in as little as 33 minutes! https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/play-better-guitar/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=episode&utm_campaign=upload

In this free guitar lesson, you take a look at the key to “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. You see how some musicians hear the music as being in the key of G while other musicians hear the music as being in the key of D Mixolydian. You also take a look at the “Sweet Home Alabama” chords, chord progressions, and which scales to use for the guitar solos.

In this free guitar lesson, you learn why playing songs and studying music theory is the best ear training you can do.   Regularly playing music will benefit how you hear music far more than ear training exercises.   Get help with MUSIC THEORY and PLAYING SONGS. Enroll in a FREE course at: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/play-better-guitar/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=upload 

In this installment of How Does This Song Work?, you take a look at the song "Thank You" by Led Zeppelin. You get to know the music theory behind the song, including the key, why the chords work together, and which scales to use for soloing. Enroll in a free music theory course at GuitarMusicTheory.com.

If you want to get good at playing the guitar, you need to develop the right skills. Developing the right skills involves increasing your hand strength and finger dexterity. You also need to improve the coordination between your hands. Many guitarists look to guitar exercises to develop these skills. In this free guitar lesson, I explain the best exercise you can do.  Enroll in a FREE video course at GuitarMusicTheory.com.

Learn the music theory behind the song “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Understand the keys, chords, and progressions, plus the scales used for the guitar solos. Enroll in a FREE video course at GuitarMusicTheory.com.

How to choose the best electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and guitar practice amp so you sound great and make your practice time as effective as possible.  Enroll in a FREE video course at GuitarMusicTheory.com.

Are you feeling dissatisfied with your guitar playing? Do you wish you could get better, but you're unsure what to do? If you'd like to make more progress with your guitar playing plus get more enjoyment out of the experience, here are nine ways to do it. Enroll in a FREE video course at GuitarMusicTheory.com.