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    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!
    en155 Episodes

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    Episodes (155)

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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enFebruary 24, 2024

    Ep153 Matt Reviere Slash Guns N Roses Guitar Style and Tones

    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

    Guitar Music Theory
    enJanuary 30, 2024

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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enJanuary 16, 2024

    Ep151 The Best Christmas Songs

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enDecember 20, 2023

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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enDecember 18, 2023

    Ep149 Guitar Octaves and Songs That Use Them

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enNovember 30, 2023

    Ep148 What Is Syncopation?

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enNovember 15, 2023

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

    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. 

    Guitar Music Theory
    enNovember 10, 2023

    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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enOctober 12, 2023

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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enOctober 05, 2023

    Ep144 What Guitar Scales Should I Learn?

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enSeptember 13, 2023

    Ep143 Using the Major 2 Chord in Music

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enAugust 15, 2023

    Ep142 Mixolydian Mode in Huey Lewis and the News

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enJune 27, 2023

    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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enMay 24, 2023

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

    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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enMay 15, 2023

    Ep138 Q&A arpeggios from hell - practice structure - strumming and singing - 5/4 time signature - parallel modes - King of Birds

    Ep138 Q&A arpeggios from hell - practice structure - strumming and singing - 5/4 time signature - parallel modes - King of Birds

    In my latest podcast episode, I answer listener questions about arpeggios, practicing, strumming and singing, 5/4 time signature, parallel modes, REM's King of Birds, 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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enMarch 11, 2023

    Ep137 Minor Seven Chord Hack and Q&A looper pedals - exercises - stage fright - ADHD - and more

    Ep137 Minor Seven Chord Hack and Q&A looper pedals - exercises - stage fright - ADHD - and more

    My latest podcast episode discusses a useful guitar hack where major triads can be used as minor 7th chord inversions. I also answer listener questions about looper pedals, exercises, stage fright, ADHD, 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.

    Dare to Be Seen : From Stage Fright to Stage Presence: Command the Stage and Magnify Your Presence in Ten Easy Steps. https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Seen-Performance-Transformational-Hypnotherapy-ebook/dp/B07Z452PZ5

     

    Guitar Music Theory
    enFebruary 03, 2023

    Ep136 Adding Effects to Acoustic Guitar

    Ep136 Adding Effects to Acoustic Guitar

    In my latest podcast episode, I demonstrate the sound of an acoustic guitar with added effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, and others. Learn how to use these effects to spice up your sound on stage and in the studio.

    🎸 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.

    Guitar Music Theory
    enJanuary 19, 2023

    Ep135 Matt Reviere Christmas Music

    Ep135 Matt Reviere Christmas Music

    In episode 135 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I welcome back Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere to discuss the genius of Christmas music. Matt talks about some of his favorite Christmas songs and how much modern pop music pales compared to the holiday compositions from past eras.

    🎸 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.

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    Guitar Music Theory
    enDecember 09, 2022