Guitar Noise

This is the second part of our theory and songwriting workshop. In this article we’ll come up with a simple way of figuring out a singer’s vocal range.

This is the first in a series that looks at how melodies and chords work together. It includes specific examples from some well known songs.

In this lesson we take a look at singing and playing guitar at the same time. Surprisingly, this is something anyone can learn to do well.

What are harmonics and how are they produced? We’re going to delve into these questions and show you how use harmonics to spice up a few songs.

This lesson takes a look at an unusual phenomenon known as sustained tones. You can hear it in songs by Oasis, Pink Floyd, Indigo Girls and others.

On the one year anniversary of his first article for Guitar Noise, David Hodge takes off on one of his tangents and considers all things in the guitar universe.

Here is a great lesson on chord shapes. We’ve got great examples backing us up too, including songs by Counting Crows and The Who.

The title says it all. This lesson looks back on some of the recent techniques we’ve learned and reinforces them with some practical and recognizable examples.

This lesson looks at the workings of chords other than the basic major, minor, augmented and diminished.

This beginner music theory lesson looks at how to put chords together. We’ll examine the four main chord types in some detail.

Let’s go back to the beginning steps of music theory once again. This will help us answer a lot of questions about scales, leads, chords and melodies.

Sometimes we musicians need a shot in the arm when it comes to practicing. If your playing feels like it’s going nowhere it might help to take a more detached look at yourself and the way you play.

Let’s take a quick journey into song arrangement. In this lesson we’re going to arrange Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here for two guitars.

This lesson on songwriting investigates the motive behind writing a song. Why do you write a song? Do you have something to say?

This lesson looks at song structure. More specifically we’re looking at the bridge, which has been around almost as long as the study of music.

More than anything else, melody defines a song for us. Join us on a tour through the music theory basics of melody.

This music theory lesson delves into musical phrases and introduces a couple common types of cadences. We’ll try several well-known songs as examples.

The key signature of a song can be considered its home. We’re going to use a few familiar and easy examples to simplify key signatures and tonality.

There’s a huge difference between practicing and playing guitar. Let’s do a run down of good practice tips for guitar.

If a good guitar solo is the result of planning, how do you plan for the spontaneous, spur of the moment solo? Here are some ways to prepare for that moment.