music theory

Let’s explore the basics of chords and harmony right where you want to learn it – on the guitar. It’s a great way to develop your listening skills as well.

Technically speaking there really is no such thing as the diminished power chord. A power chord by definition is, as you pointed out, simply the root and the fifth of a scale. The term “power chord” is strictly a contrivance of the electric guitarist. You can, however, play two notes, one being the first, or [...]

What is the relationship between the technical frequency value of a note and the scale name? The answer is enough to make you insane.

The blues offers a great opportunity to practice playing triads and further our understanding of chords. This is a hands on music theory for guitar lesson.

Why does a strong chord progression sound good? This beginner lesson answers the question by showing how chords are built from scales.

Today we’re going to introduce the subject of modulation. Modulation is a great songwriting tool and a key subject to understanding how music is put together.

We are going to dispel some of the mysteries and anxieties surrounding songs written in minor keys. Included in this lesson is a whole bevy on examples.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This beginner’s primer explains different types of scales and unusual chord progressions. We’ll learn how they work in songs like Gimme Shelter and Hey Joe.

There are a few guidelines to chord changes and progressions that make learning music theory and songwriting easier. Here are some useful rules to remember.

Being able to play along to songs you don’t know is a skill that can be learned. Here are some tips to help you join the band on any song.

Let’s approach music theory and how it relates to the guitar with a simple idea: music theory is actually simple and fun. It’s not rocket science.