Guitar scales vs modes: Which should you use and when? In my earlier stages of learning the guitar I used to think that modes were scales for experienced players, and hence harder to learn and master. While it is true that advanced guitar players tend to use modes more often than beginners, the difference between …
What is the difference between a scale and a mode? Read More »
If you’re learning the electric guitar, you’ve probably noticed that unless you plug it into an amplifier or use an alternative, such as a computer, the notes are audible but very faint. And if you like music with distortion or other effects, playing unplugged not only sounds lower in volume but also very different. Should …
Is it better to practice the electric guitar with or without an amp? Read More »
In this lesson I explain what guitar scales are and why you benefit from learning them. In today’s lesson I’ll give you 5 easy guitar scales you can learn and start using right now. Each scale will also come with a short guitar lick based on its notes. Keep in mind that, while learning scales on guitar has many benefits such as improving finger independence and dexterity, the ultimate purpose of scales is to …
It is important for all guitarists, not just “shredders,” virtuosos, or Neo-classical metal players, to learn how to play the guitar faster than their previous level of speed. The reason for this is that being able to play fast gives you an advantage over everything you play at a slower tempo. Let me give you …
Blues music has many defining characteristics such as song structure, rhythm, chord progressions, scales, as well as the blues turnaround. The turnaround is most commonly used in the final two bars of a 12-bar blues, but it can also be used as an intro and in other structures such as the 8-bar and 16-bar blues. …
I began studying music theory alongside the guitar because it seemed like the right thing to do. That if you want to become a musician, you should also learn the theory behind it. I’m glad I studied music theory, but as you’ll see in the music theory tips for guitar players below, I didn’t learn it in the most efficient way possible. The following music theory tips are aimed at correcting misconceptions I had, and ineffective methods I used when I started playing 28 years ago, as well as those I frequently notice in new students. Music theory is not reading standard music notation. “Why should I learn to read notes when I can use guitar tabs?” I’m sometimes asked when introducing music theory to guitar students. …
Punk Rock was my gateway to songwriting. It’s easy to write a Punk song on the guitar. Easier than most Heavy Metal and most Blues. It’s certainly easier than Jazz. But as I began improving on the instrument I started dismissing Punk as too simple. I thought that there’s so much you can do with …
The minor pentatonic blues scale is commonly referred to as “the blues scale” because it is a very popular scale for blues guitar players and contains all of the blue notes, as explained below. However, this is not the only scale used by blues guitarists. Blues guitarists use a variety of scales, including combinations of …
7 Scales for Blues Guitar Players (with example guitar licks) Read More »
Tonality in music refers to melodies and harmonies that revolve around a single note known as the tonic note. As soon as a song begins, our brain starts to figure out which note is the tonic. The tonic note is the melody’s most important note, representing home, certainty, and resolution. Every other note in the …
I was surprised to realize how frequently the question “How do you write a song from the heart?” is asked in songwriting forums. Music expresses emotions. And when people talk of the heart, they are referring to emotions. How can a song NOT come from the heart unless you purposely try not to express your …
