One thing that used to confuse me when I started learning guitar was the relationship between the notes on the neck. Looking at guitar notes on the neck, they seemed like a bunch of notes thrown there together with no relationship with each other. I used to think, that good guitar players could pick notes …
Beginner’s guide to guitar notes, intervals, scales, and chords Read More »
Learning guitar scales can either be the most tedious aspect of your musical journey, or a fun aspect you can never get enough of. This all depends on how you learn guitar scales, when you learn them, and whether you use them to create music. Before I show you how to learn scales, I’ll explain …
In 7 myths about music theory, I explain what music theory is not, what it is, and have hopefully convinced you that you need it if you’re learning a musical instrument. But how much music theory do you need? In this lesson, I will show you that this question isn’t the most ideal question to …
What guitar scale should you improvise on if you’re playing in the key of C major? The C major scale, right? Or else the C major pentatonic scale, which doesn’t have any different notes, only less. What guitar scale should you improvise on if the music is in the key of A minor? A minor …
4 Minor scales you can use if you’re improvising on guitar (and how to use them) Read More »
In the power of power chords lesson, I explain how the power chord can come very handy since it doesn’t have the “third” note of the key it’s being played in. That third note is what changes a power chord into a major or a minor triad. In this lesson, you’ll see that while power …
Beyond power chord riffs: Major and minor triads Read More »
James Hetfield, Metallica’s singer, songwriter, and guitarist, has made reference to his lack of formal knowledge of music theory many times in interviews and elsewhere. He does mention being taught basic music theory by the late Cliff Burton, but it’s unlikely he spent time in a class spelling out the relative minor of F major. …
