Guitar Music Theory

In this podcast episode, you hear Part 2 of my tech talk with sound man, Joel Hilsden. We continue our conversation about things guitar players should know in order to get great live sound, and we get to answering email questions. We talk about running your acoustic guitar direct using a DI box, miking your amplifier, using a digital device such as a Line 6 Helix or Kemper Profiling Amplifier, and more.

In this podcast episode, I talk tech with my friend and sound man, Joel Hilsden. Joel has extensive experience running sound in various types of venues and over the course of our conversation, we talk about things guitar players should know in order to get great live sound. We talk about running your acoustic guitar direct using a DI box, miking your amplifier, using a digital device such as a Line 6 Helix or Kemper profiling Amplifier, and more. Joel and I covered so much ground that I split the audio up into two podcasts. This is part one. The next podcast episode will feature part two, so stay tuned for that.

In this episode, I answer email questions about half-step movement, 251 chord progressions, sharps and flats, recording basics, playing bass with a pick, dominant 5 chords, altered harmony, and more.  

Some people say the guitar CAGED system sucks and is harmful to your playing, but 99.99% of the guitar-playing community disagrees with this assertion and finds the CAGED system to be an important part of understanding the fretboard and playing music. Find out how the CAGED system is useful for navigating the neck, playing chords, and playing scale patterns in this free guitar lesson. ************************

In this free guitar lesson, I have another installment of How Does This Song Work? featuring “Moondance" by Van Morrison. This song is in the general key of A minor and mixes chords from parallel scales including Aeolian mode (natural minor), Dorian mode, and harmonic minor. It is also played using a swing feel, which is based on the triplet shuffle rhythm. Learn to play the basic chord changes and follow the three sections of the song; verse, pre-chorus, and chorus. GEARPRS SE Angelus acoustic/electricFishman Aura Spectrum DI box Epiphone Dot with PRS 57/08 Kemper Profiling AmplifierEmpire Profile Pack from Tone Junkie

In this free guitar lesson, I explain how to use a guitar practice amp. Get to know how to set up a basic clean sound and properly adjust the Gain, Volume, and Master output knobs. Learn how to add overdrive and distortion by changing the Amp Type. Add effects such as reverb, delay, and chorus so you match the sounds of the songs you play. I use a Boss Katana Air in my example, but other types of desktop guitar practice amps work similarly including the Yamaha THR, Positive Grid Spark, Blackstar Fly 3, Vox Mini5, Fender Mustang GT, and Roland Cube.

In this free guitar lesson, I explain how sometimes you gotta simplify. In order to be a good guitarist, you want your playing to sound smooth and in control. This means, when you’re faced with a part that causes you to stumble, it’s better to play a simplified version of it than to make noticeable mistakes. To demonstrate how this is done, I give you an example taken from Gary Moore’s guitar solo in the song, “Still Got the Blues (For You).”

Answers to your questions including how to progress through Fretboard Theory, when to use alternate picking, how to jump into key instantly in any position, being a better blues rhythm guitarist, what to do after losing a finger, getting good sustain, minor CAGED chord forms, putting a pedalboard in front of a Kemper Profiling Amplifier, and more.

In this free guitar lesson, I explain what slash chords are in music, why composers use them, and when you might choose to skip them while reading a chart. Slash chords do not refer to the guitarist known as Slash of Guns N’ Roses fame. The term slash refers to the use of a forward slash in a chord name such as G/B, C/G, or D/F#. Whenever a chord name includes a forward slash, the letter before the slash is the basic chord and the letter after the slash is the alternate bass note. Normally, when you play a G chord, you have a G note in the lowest or bass position. The chord G/B is a G chord but with a B note in the bass position. This means you would begin strumming on B and leave the G note below it (as well as the 6th string) out. You would call any version of a G chord with B in the bass “G with B in the bass” or “G over B” or “G/B.”  

In this free guitar lesson, I show you how to make a groovy guitar loop based on Bob Marley’s “Exodus.” I show you how to record several layers using a looper effects pedal. The parts include a scratchy set of chord changes, a thumping bass line, some popcorn picking technique, and part of the vocal melody.

In this free guitar lesson, I’m going to show you how the major scale contains six different pentatonic scales. Knowing this will help you understand the construction of scales, keys, and how you might want to change pentatonic scales over chords like Jimi Hendrix.  

Today, I answer more listener questions about memorizing notes, practicing with limited time, fingering the C form barre chord, strumming with your thumb, choosing your neck shape, using Fretboard Theory, and more.  

In this free guitar lesson, I explain why you should use a capo. Some people think using a capo on guitar is a sissy way to transpose a piece of music. But using a capo on guitar is about more than just playing in different keys–it’s about making use of chord shapes that make your playing sound better.  

Today, I answer email questions about guitar scale patterns, pickup configurations, amps, recording yourself, and more.  

In this free guitar lesson, I answer the question, What Does Playing Over Chords Mean? If you’re interested in soloing over chord changes, outlining chord progressions, or using chord tone soloing, I’ll explain what you need to do.  

In podcast episode 85, I sit down and talk with Keith Stevens. Keith used to teach classical guitar at James Madison University in Harrisburg VA and now owns and operates Stevens School of Music in Troy VA. We talk about the difference between classical and rock techniques, and the best way to learn guitar in general.  

In this free guitar lesson, I have another installment of How Does This Song Work? featuring “Jungle Boogie” by Kool and The Gang. This song features a scratchy funk guitar, chords from Dorian mode, and a bass riff that makes use of chromatic passing tones and 3 over 2 polyrhythms.  

In this free guitar lesson, I talk guitar amps and effects with HW from Tone Junkie. Tone Junkie is a company that makes amp profiles for the Kemper Profiling Amplifier. The owner, HW, is an expert on guitar amps, effects, modelers and more. We talk about the different types of setups guitarists use and the pros and cons of different pieces of gear.  

In this free guitar lesson, I have another installment of How Does This Song Work? featuring “Down Under” by Men at Work. This reggae-inspired song features great rhythm guitar tracks that make use of CAGED system chord shapes, sixteenth note strumming, and hybrid picking technique. Instead of using guitar tablature, I just show you the main chords and parts of the song and explain the music theory.