Guitar Music Theory

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.

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.

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.

In episode 134 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about chord progressions, modes, chromatic voice leading, bass playing, and more.  Save $20 at American Musical SupplyGo to AmericanMusical.com and use the promo code DESI to receive $20 off your next purchase over $100.  FREE Video CourseWhat do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

In my latest podcast episode, I answer listener questions about using a pick, modal mixture, chord tone soloing, bass arpeggios, harmonic minor, guitar overdrive, and more. $20 Off at American Musical Supply Go to American Musical Supply and use promo code DESI to receive $20 off your next purchase over $100. https://ter.li/AmericanMusicalSupply-DESI FREE VIDEO COURSE 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 podcast episode, I answer listener questions plus talk about the guitar part in "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes" by Paul Simon. 

"Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb features nice guitar work that uses a capo and unconventional chord shapes. I break down the song for you in this podcast episode and explain how I approach learning a song that uses a capo. VIDEO https://youtu.be/4kWhUffbKzU

In episode 130 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I welcome Guitar Theory For Dummies technical editor Sandy Williams to talk about added chord tones, extensions, and naming chords. TODAY'S SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by American Musical Supply. Go to https://www.americanmusical.com/?src=W2209PODM00CASTS and use promo code DESI to receive $20 off a purchase over $100. FREE VIDEO COURSE

In my latest installment of How Does This Song Work, Matt Reviere (Carrie Underwood guitarist) and I give you a music theory breakdown of "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News. We take a look at some of the key parts played by guitarist Chris Hayes and explain the key, chords, progressions, and scales used for the guitar solo. This song uses a mixture of major and minor, a bit of the Dorian and Mixolydian modes, and the minor pentatonic blues scale. The bridge features some beautiful extended chords with 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths. I have also created a separate video with guitar tablature and posted it on YouTube. 

In episode 128 of my Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk about "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World, playing guitar technique exercises, creating cover band tracks, picking with your fingers, using modes, tenor guitars, and more.

In my latest podcast episode, I talk about my recent cover band gigs. I used tracks and performed a variety of popular songs.

In episode 126 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I’m joined by my friend Adam Hatfield to talk about the Line 6 Helix Stomp plus answer listener questions. We answer questions about applying pentatonic scale patterns, using dominant function, playing fingerstyle chord melody guitar, using 4th and 5th harmony, and more plus we talk about gear and amps. This is an audio-only podcast episode. You won't find videos online but I have been posting lots of new videos to my social media profiles. Be sure to like and follow my pages at the links below including my brand new TikTok profile. https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarMusicTheoryTab?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.facebook.com/desisernaguitar https://www.instagram.com/desisernaguitar/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@desisernaguitar https://twitter.com/desisernaguitar

In episode 125 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I welcome back Physiotherapist Mark Tsai to discuss some recent problems I've had with my hands. We talk about how the way you hold your guitar determines the amount of flexion in your wrists which could cause issues that lead to cramping. I play a little bit of the bass line from Journey's "Don't Stop believing" and explain how my hand locked up halfway through the song at a recent gig. We even get off into the weeds a bit and talk about chronic pain and the books of Dr. John Sarno and Alan Gordon that have helped heal so many people. Video https://youtu.be/pA3-aWo13F4 Physiotherapist Mark Tsai https://www.woodbinephysiotherapy.com/ Podcast Ep81 Hand Anatomy with Physiotherapist Mark Tsai https://guitarmusictheory.libsyn.com/ep81-hand-anatomy-with-physiotherapist-mark-tsai Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by John E. Sarno MD https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684 The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Pro

Music artist Agent Envy posted a video about my book Fretboard Theory to her TikTok profile that went viral and got a TON of views. She's a guest on this podcast episode and we discuss her music, how learning music theory helps her write songs, and how she built an influential presence on social media. Podcast Video Link https://youtu.be/wo-2lI4O0m0 ***

What’s a circle chord progression? I discuss this composition technique in my latest podcast episode and explain how it relates to the Circle of Fifths used in music. I give you a few examples based on familiar songs and demonstrate how playing the 5th cycle backward creates the circle of 4ths. 

In episode 122 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I welcome my friend David Lund to talk about the Line 6 Helix plus answer questions about shopping for a guitar, learning songs, playing modes, and more.

In my latest podcast episode, I discuss the Dadd4add9 chord. This is a complex-sounding chord that is actually very easy to play. Use it to spruce up your playing and make things sound more interesting. It also goes by the name Dadd2add4 and even D11. I explain where its names come from and give you examples of how it's used in familiar songs. The following songs are good examples that use the shape in its entirety as Dadd4add9. "Man on the Moon" REM "Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls "Jumper" Third Eye Blind "Sugar Mountain" Neil Young (tune down whole step) "Engine Driver" The Decemberists These songs omit the E note creating the simpler Dadd4 chord. "Why Georgia" John Mayer "Crossroads" John Mayer "Hysteria" Def Leppard "2000 Miles" The Pretenders "Hosanna" Paul Baloche "Songs She Sang in the Shower" Jason Isbell "#41" Dave Matthews Band "Have a Cigar" Pink Floyd "Bigmouth Strikes Again" The Smiths

In my latest podcast episode, I discuss the top 10 fingerpicking songs you should learn. If you want to develop the fingerpicking techniques commonly used in popular styles of music, these songs are some of the best to learn.

In my latest podcast episode, Matt Reviere and I answer questions about pinch harmonics, thumb placement, hearing protection, pentatonic scales, E flat tuning, and more. Additionally, we get a voicemail message from Dan Daniels who informs me about a problem with the shipping rates on my website.

In my latest podcast episode, I show you an easy way to play the Pink Panther Theme on guitar. This song makes use of the pentatonic scale, blues scale, minor scale, and harmonic minor scale. There's also good use of chromatic half-step movement and a tritone substitution. I also discuss my new Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB Audio Interface (Gen 3) and answer a question about when to change guitar strings. ***