Guitar Music Theory

This podcast features free audio guitar lessons taught by Desi Serna, author of Fretboard Theory and Guitar Theory For Dummies. Learn how scales, chords, progressions, modes, and more get applied to the fretboard and familiar songs. Hear how to best get your playing skills in order. Begin to improvise and compose. Understand why your favorite songs sound so good. ➝ What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website to get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. Discover how to progressively play and sound better—today, in as little as 33 minutes!

Ep159 Every Type of Seventh Chord and How to Use It

In episode 159 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss every type of seventh chord and how to use it. Seventh chords are made when you extend a triad with an additional third. There are five qualities of seventh chords that appear in music. They are Major seven, Minor seven, Dominant seven, Minor seven flat five (a.k.a. Half diminished), and Diminished seven (also called fully diminished). I explain how these chords are built and which familiar guitar songs use them. I play songs from the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Garth Brooks, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. #musictheory #musictheoryforguitar #guitartheory #fretboardtheory #desiserna #guitarlesson #guitarcourse #guitarteacher #guitartechnique #guitaronline #learningguitar 

04-26
01:07:19

Ep158 The Harmonic Minor Scale and How to Use It

In Episode 158 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss the harmonic minor scale and its use in familiar guitar songs. This includes common harmonic minor chord progressions and how to incorporate the scale in your lead lines and guitar solos. For more information, see my book Fretboard Theory Volume 2  or my video course Fretboard Theory Video Pro Pack. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

04-18
01:10:03

Ep157 Q&A Circle of fifths - playing left-handed - Squier guitar mods - playing and singing - intervals

In episode 157 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about the circle of fifths, playing left-handed, Squier guitar mods, playing and singing, intervals, and more.  🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. #musictheory #musictheoryforguitar #guitartheory #fretboardtheory #desiserna #guitarlesson #guitarcourse #guitarteacher #guitartechnique #guitaronline #learningguitar #guitartheoryfordummies

04-10
01:07:29

Ep156 Biggest Part of Me - How Does This Song Work? - Scott Sheriff

In episode 156, keyboardist Scott Sheriff and I break down the song "Biggest Part of Me" by Ambrosia. We talk about the chords used in this song and how they’re based on a chromatic line cliché and include various extensions common to jazz and R&B music.  ********************************* Scott's Links Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0oLy2MY8Qdaq4epJzOdilz?si=67856935ae5d438c  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/biggest-part-of-me/1732619282?i=1732619284  Classic Tribute Bands https://primrose-armadillo-xkwc.squarespace.com/  ********************************* Free Video Course 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. ********************************* #musictheory #guitartheory #fretboardtheory #guitartheoryfordummies #desiserna #jazzchords

03-28
01:14:04

Ep155 Q&A Modes - Rocksmith - Major Scale Patterns - Memorizing Songs - Effects Pedals - Foot Tapping - You Oughta Know

In episode 155 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about modes, major scale patterns, memorizing songs, effects pedals, foot tapping, Rocksmith, and the song "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. #fretboardtheory #guitartheoryfordummies #desiserna 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

03-15
01:04:39

Ep154 What Scales Are Used in Sweet Child O’ Mine?

"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses features prominent guitar work by Slash, including the iconic opening riff and memorable solos. The song uses the guitar scales D Mixolydian mode, E Aeolian mode, E harmonic minor, and E minor pentatonic. In this podast episode, I explain each scale and its use in this quintessential rock anthem. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

02-24
51:04

Ep153 Matt Reviere Slash Guns N Roses Guitar Style and Tones

Which guitar scales, amps, and effects does Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash use? Matt Reviere and I discuss Slash's style and break down his tone in episode 153 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast.  🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. Tone Junkie INSPIRED BY SLASH (HELIX) https://tonejunkiestore.com/inspiredby/inspired-by-slash-helix Tone Junkie INSPIRED BY SLASH (KEMPER) https://tonejunkiestore.com/inspiredby/inspired-by-slash-kemper

01-30
01:12:56

Ep152 Q&A Keith Richards Open G Tuning - Acoustic Amps - Memorizing Songs - Sus4 Chords - Cheap Versus Expensive Acoustic Guitar

Why does Keith Richards use open G tuning, what's the difference between a cheap and expensive acoustic guitar, should songs be memorized, and what are sus4 chords? Get answers to these questions and more in episode 152 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast.  🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

01-16
01:06:07

Ep151 The Best Christmas Songs

In episode 151 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere and I talk about our favorite Christmas songs. We play together and analyze some holiday classics that are rich in music theory and composition techniques. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

12-20
01:15:01

Ep150 Q&A Guitar Modelers - PRS Guitars - Beginner Struggles - Slide - Drop-D Tuning - Acoustic Gigs

In my latest audio podcast, I answer listener questions about guitar modelers, PRS guitars, scales, beginner struggles, slide, Drop-D tuning, and playing acoustic guitar gigs. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

12-18
01:15:57

Ep149 Guitar Octaves and Songs That Use Them

Guitarists often use octave shapes to play rhythm guitar parts, riffs, and lead lines. In this podcast episode, I explain how octaves are formed on the guitar fretboard and which popular guitar songs use them. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

11-30
50:01

Ep148 What Is Syncopation?

Music with changes or accents that fall on something other than the most predictable beats is said to be syncopated. I discuss this in episode 148 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. Listen to song examples from Neil Young, KT Tunstall, Herbie Hancock, Adele, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

11-15
30:44

Ep147 Scott Sheriff - Keyboardist For Carrie Underwood and Huey Lewis Tribute

In episode 147 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I interview Carrie Underwood keyboardist Scott Sheriff. Scott is a veteran touring musician who was also the musical director for Kenny Loggins and the bandleader for Steven Curtis Chapman. Scott has other projects on the side when he's not on the road, including the Huey Lewis & The News tribute act, The Heart of Rock and Roll. I recently began playing with this act and sharing the stage with Scott. This podcast talks about touring, playing live, arranging background vocals, music theory, our love of yacht rock music, and more. 

11-10
01:30:01

Ep146 Q&A Chord tones and extensions - white rabbit - playing with injuries and hand limitations - keeping track of measures while soloing - applying pentatonic scale patterns - requiring your chops after time off

In episode 146 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about chord tones and extensions, the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane, playing with injuries and hand limitations, keeping track of measures while soloing, applying pentatonic scale patterns, reaquiring your chops after time off, and more.    🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

10-12
56:40

Ep145 "Satellite" Dave Matthews Band - How Does This Song Work?

In episode 145 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I have another installment of How Does This  Song Work? featuring "Satellite" by Dave Matthews Band. I discuss the key, scale, chords, and progression, plus explain the 3/4 time signature.  View the video, tab, and neck diagrams on my website here: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/dave-matthews-satellite-guitar-riff-tab/ 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

10-05
40:17

Ep144 What Guitar Scales Should I Learn?

Which scales should you learn if you want to play popular styles of music on guitar such as pop, rock, blues, and country? I tell you in this podcast episode and play examples from familiar songs.   🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

09-13
48:07

Ep143 Using the Major 2 Chord in Music

The ii chord in music is naturally minor, but here I explain how it often gets switched to major to produce a bright, uplifting sound. This happens in songs such as "Eight Days a Week," "American Girl," and others.  Watch the video version of this lesson on YouTube. https://youtu.be/JylyPkwhn34 Check out the song "Headin' to the Beach" by Carl Wayne Meekins. https://youtu.be/Lc3xvRHBJx 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

08-15
37:49

Ep142 Mixolydian Mode in Huey Lewis and the News

The music of Huey Lewis and the News frequently features the modal scale Mixolydian mode. In this podcast episode, I discuss the songs "I Want a New Drug," "Back in Time," and "If This Is It."  View the related blog post, videos, and tabs.  🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

06-27
37:20

Ep141 Q&A Chord recognition - chord fills - Halfway Gone by Lifehouse - online versus in-person lessons - purchasing a looper pedal - sharps and the circle of fifths - playing faster on an Ibanez guitar - flat sevenths - learning songs

In episode 141 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer questions about chord recognition, chord fills, Halfway Gone by Lifehouse, online versus in-person lessons, purchasing a looper pedal, sharps and the circle of fifths, playing faster on an Ibanez guitar, flat sevenths, learning songs, and more.  🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

05-24
51:24

Ep140 The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - How Does This Song Work?

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot uses sus2 chords, alternate bass notes, Mixolydian mode, plus half-step and whole-step bends. I discuss all the details in episode 140 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast.    🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

05-15
40:41

Ehsan Ebadi

This course is the best course for a basic and complete introduction to guitar theory. Desi Serna has presented a very valuable and complete work in this collection. Thanks. Good luck, Mr. Desi Serena ​

11-20 Reply

Randy Nordquist

Desi, I love your podcasts! I have learned so much. I have been playing guitar for about 8 years but never really explored what I could do beyond open and bar chords! I have ordered your book Guitar Fretboard Theory to continue learning. Thank you! Randy

04-09 Reply

Marc Watt

look at Jack white. almost deformed small hands... and he can play

10-23 Reply

Jim Watts

This is a GREAT guitar podcast. Desi is a born teacher and he has mastered the tools of internet instruction. Highly recommended! Only one caution: may lead to increased guitar-playing and expanded musical enjoyment.

08-27 Reply

Preeti Sharma_Career guide

Very nice article! I'm Preeti, I write for educational blogs. I make a collection of wonderful educational blogs from where I could take inspiration for writing. This article really inspires me though it is a little different from my domain but nonetheless it is a good writing. I sometime write for a education site blogs www.clearexam.ac.in Let me know your thoughts if I could contribute to your blog too.

04-10 Reply

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