Guitar Music Theory

In episode 169 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I review some Christmas song guitar lessons I’ve previously posted on YouTube. These lessons feature great Christmas songs to learn, and I’ll break down the nuggets of music theory wisdom each one provides. Topics include passing chords, chord melody, playing in sixths, and more. Join the email list by subscribing at the https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com website.

In episode 168 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I announce my new coaching program and answer listener questions about bass playing, playing with confidence, the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures, my old cover band setlist, and the song "Runnin' with the Devil" by Van Halen. Are you ready to invest in a structured coaching program to take your guitar playing to the next level? Fill out the contact form on my website and share your music goals with me: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/contact/

In episode 167 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I guide you through my process of learning songs, using "It Hit Me Like a Hammer" by Huey Lewis and The News as an example. This track showcases chunky '80s rock power chords and a bluesy minor pentatonic guitar solo. I play it on my new PRS SE NF3 guitar, using a profile of a Mesa Boogie Mark 3 amp. 🎸 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.

In episode 166 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about rhythm and timing, playing horizontal pentatonic patterns, selecting good bass notes, and more. I also recap my recent gigs and discuss how I prepare for performances.

In episode 165 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I prepare to play upcoming gigs with the Huey Lewis and The News tribute band, The Heart of Rock and Roll. I walk you through the process I go through when I'm reviewing for a show and discuss the songs I'll be performing. 🎸 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. The Heart of Rock and Roll info and schedule: hueytribute.com

In episode 164 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I interview Scott Williamson, a top-tier studio drummer in the Nashville area for decades. In addition to his drumming career, Scott is a mixing engineer and music producer. He'll provide insights into life as a studio musician, answer listener questions, and reveal his favorite guitar parts. 🎸 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.

How does the song "Jack and Diane" work? Listen to episode 163 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast to hear how this John Mellencamp classic features memorable acoustic guitar riffs that make great use of different chord shapes and chord voicings. 🎸 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.

"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse is an epic rock anthem that blends various musical influences to create a unique and powerful listening experience. The song stands out for its grandiose and cinematic feel, drawing inspiration from progressive rock, space rock, and spaghetti westerns. In Episode 162 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I break the music down and explain how its puzzling chord changes follow a logical pattern. 🎸 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. Music Theory 101 Group Zoom Class https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/zoom-class-music-theory-101/

In episode 161 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about Hot For Teacher, multitracks, bass rigs, Funk #49, mastering songs, major and minor pentatonic, CAGED, hand soreness, Knights of Cydonia, 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

In episode 160 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I demonstrate a technique for improvisation over jam tracks, drawing inspiration from the iconic song "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Leveraging guitar licks from renowned tracks like this can infuse your improvisations with creativity and flair, elevating your playing to new heights. 🎸 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 #guitarsoloing

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

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.

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

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

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.

"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.

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

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.

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.

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.