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.
guitar columns
Just Because You’ve Got Six Strings… doesn’t mean you have to play all six all the time!
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.
Building Additions (and Suspensions)
This lesson looks at the workings of chords other than the basic major, minor, augmented and diminished.
The Power of Three
This beginner music theory lesson looks at how to put chords together. We’ll examine the four main chord types in some detail.
The Musical Genome Project
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.
Recharging Your Batteries
Sometimes we musicians need a shot in the arm when it comes to practicing. Here are some wise words on the subject from David Hodge.
Applied Science
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.
Group Therapy - (Assembling a Piece for the Ensemble)
This lesson on songwriting investigates the motive behind writing a song. Why do you write a song? Do you have something to say?
Building Bridges
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.
Christmas in June
More than anything else, melody defines a song for us. Join us on a tour through the music theory basics of melody.
You Say You Want a Resolution…
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.
Five To One - (or Home, home again…)
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.
A Question of Balance
There’s a huge difference between practicing and playing guitar. Let’s do a run down of good practice tips for guitar.
Picture in Dorian Gray
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.
Once More With Feeling…
The trick to being a better guitarist is you have to be able to work both inside and outside of the box. Imagination plays an important part.
Tricks of the Trade
In this beginner lesson we’ll learn a few basic techniques for both the rhythm and lead guitarist. They are hammer ons, pull offs, slides and bends.
Leading Questions
This is the first in a series of lessons teaching you how to play a guitar solo. We’re going to start by learning the fundamentals of a melodic guitar solo.
If I Only Had…
Let’s break musicianship down into three basic parts: what you were born with, what you can learn, and what you can dream. Where do you go next?
Alternate Writing Styles
The third and final part in our look at alternate tunings. Let’s see how they can be used to write songs and we’ll throw a little bit of theory into the mix.
Cover Story
Part two in our look at alternate tunings. We’re going to see how alternate tunings can be used as a tool for arranging and interpreting old familiar tunes.
Suggested Links
- Video Guitar Lessons - Learn to play guitar online
- How To Play The Guitar in 30 Days! (Highly recommended - Learn from the best)
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