Music’s Code: The Major Scale Formula
We’ve said it before, but music theory just might be the most important thing you need to become a great musician. Master it and there’s nothing you can’t do.
Intro to Music Theory
Theory Made Easy: Key of G
Plain and simple, understanding keys will let you understand how 90% of music is put together, and the key of G might be the king of them all.
Theory Made Easy: Key of C
Time to jump into the fun world of keys! Keys are ridiculously important and are everywhere you look. Prepare to get mind melted!
Intro to Diminished Chords
No chord gets a worse wrap then the diminished chord. We’ll teach you how to play them and hopefully you’ll walk away with a little more respect for the diminished chord!
Trivium Style Diminished Chord Riff
Who says nobody uses diminished chords? Only the truly brutal shall enter!
Where Chords Come From
Time to learn the secret behind chords – where they come from, what notes make them up, and how we can figure out our own.
T and L Shape Theory
Today we’ll be visiting and old topic but looking deeper into the theory behind the T and L shapes. Now we’ll understand the why, not just the how.
Using a Capo to Change Keys
Learn how to use a capo to change the key of the song. This technique will require a bit of thinking, but we’ll break it down for you!
How to Use a Capo to Change Keys
The capo is a super handy tool to let us change keys of the fly. In this lesson, we’ll show you how.
Must Know Progressions
John Fogerty Style I IV V riff
If you look you can find the I IV V chord progression everywhere. Today we’re looking at it in a southern rock John Fogerty style.
Hoobastank Style I vi IV V riff
The I vi IV V chord progression is one of the all time classics, and has limitless applications. We’ve got a killer Hoobastank riff today to show off a little of what this progression can do.
Jason Mraz Style I V vi IV riff
No one’s got a smoother voice or has smoother guitar playing then Jason Mraz. Today we’ve got a riff in the style of this acoustic pop wiz.
Howie Day Style I IV vi V riff
Today we’re looking at the I IV vi V chord progression in the style of pop crooner Howie Day. You just might need a hanky for this one.
Minor Key Theory
Minor Key Theory
Understanding minor keys will help you to create sad, dark, beautiful, heavy, or metal songs. There’s so much you can do with minor keys so let’s go!
Seven Mary Three Style i VII VI VII Progression
Minor keys have been an key way for bands to get a heavy hitting sound. Today we’ll check out how Seven Mary Three might use such a progression.
The Offspring Style i VI III VII Progression
Punk rockers love minor keys because it can really give their music a dark tonality. We’ll be looking at an Offspring inspired riff today to show you what you can do with minor keys.
Maroon 5 Style i iv VII III Progression
This riff uses a i iv VII III progression in the style of the ever funky-rockin popsters Maroon 5. Hope you like it!
Smooth Lead: Major and Minor Scales
Root 6 Major Scale – Lead Essentials
Today we’re learning the other most important scale you’ll need for lead guitar – the major scale. This scale will be melodic, smooth, and super tasty.
Smashing Pumpkins Style Root 6 Major Scale Riff
We’re getting our 90′s alternative on in this riff inspired by the great Smashing Pumpkins.
Bryan Adams Style Major Scale Riff
A trip back to the 80′s is always a good one! We’ll be looking into the Bryan Adams style for this riff on major scale double stops.
Metallica Style Root 6 Major Scale Riff
Everyone needs to know the major scale, including metal heads like Metallica. We’ll show you how they might use this versatile scale.
3 Up 1 Down Pattern
Sequences are one of the best ways to get faster and develop good technique, so we’re going to learn a 3 up 1 down major scale pattern in this lesson.
Four Note Major Scale Sequence
We’ve got another technique developing sequence here, this time we’ve got a pattern based off of groups of four. Hope you like it!
Get Shredding – Skipping Thirds
Most shredding starts with learning a few patterns and sequences slowly enough that you can drill it into your head, and then slowly bumping the speed. We’ve got a classic for you today!
Root 5 Major Scale
Now it’s time for the other most common major scale we’ll need – the root 5 shape. This pattern will let us explore other places on the neck and open up new opportunities for riffing.
Journey Style Root 5 Major Scale Riff
Who can honestly resist a Journey sing a long? No one! That’s why today we’re looking at a root 5 major scale riff in the style of this legendary 80′s band.
Ozzy Style Root 5 Major Scale Riff
To get his signature dark sound, the Prince of Darkness will often use minor scales. We’ll show a super heavy riff to illustrate a common approach.
Pat Metheny Style Root 5 Major Scale Riff
Major scales are super smooth and super melodic – perfect for jazz. We’ll show you a classic Pat Matheny style lick to demonstrate!
Lead Embellishments
Tasty Techniques – Half Step Bends
We’re checking out another new technique in this lesson, this time it’s the always smooth half step bend, a favorite among Santana, Gilmour, and others.
Bon Jovi Style Half Step Bend Riff
We’re going back in time to a place of big hair and big riffs – we’re of course talking about the 80′s. What better way to practice half step bends then with a Bon Jovi riff?
Tasty Techniques – Half Step Slide
Sometimes the subtle embellishments are all it takes to make a solo shine. Today we’ve got the half step slide to add that extra bit of cool to your playing.
Evanescence Style Half Step Slide Riff
Half step slides are a great way to create smooth, articulate, emotional lead lines, and this Evanescence inspired riff will show you some of the possibilities of half step slides.
Tasty Techniques – Legato
The legato technique is a favorite among shredders because it’s one of the easiest ways to play faster. We’ll show you how to get that smooth and easy sound.
John Petrucci Style Legato Riff
Speeding, screeching, ripping – whatever you call it, that’s what legato is. Here’s a hot lick in the style of John Petrucci to practice this new technique.
Advanced Octaves and Power Chords
Root 3 and Root 4 Power Chords
Though we already looked at octaves, we’re going to learn two new shapes today which will increase our guitar vocabulary and really give us a cool biting sound.
U2 Style Adv. Power Chord Riff
Today we’ll be looking at a riff in the style of the Edge from U2 using root 3 and root 4 power chords. Grab your delay and let’s go!
Randy Rhoads Style Advanced Power Chord Riff
Randy Rhoads loved using root 3 and 4 power chords to add some treble and bite to his playing. Today we’ll show you how the legend might use them.
Root 3 and Root 4 Octaves
Though we already looked at octaves, we’re going to learn two new shapes today which will increase our guitar vocabulary and really give us a cool biting sound.
My Chemical Romance Style Octaves
Octaves are a favorite among all guitar players, especially that of vampire rockers My Chemical Romance. We’ll show you how they might use the might octave!
Wes Montgomery Style Adv. Octave Riff
Jazz great Wes Montgomery used octaves extensively to create his signature sound. We’ll show you a typical way he might use this shape.
Sus Chords
Sus Chord Theory
Today we’re peeling back the onion and looking at the theory behind sus chords. After this lesson you’ll understand how they work and be able to create you own sus chords!
D Sus Family
Now it’s time to learn the D sus chords! These work great to mix up with a regular D chord and are a staple of rock guitar playing.
Open A Sus Chords
Time to learn our A sus chords and add some serious flavor to your playing.
E Sus Family
Another lesson, another sus family! It’s the E sus family this time and they sound awesome!
C Sus Family
Next up we’ve got the C sus family! These chords are absolutely beautiful and can really inject some emotion into your playing. Enjoy guys!
G Sus Family
Time to learn our last sus family, the G sus family. Almost there guys!
Tom Petty Style Open Sus Chord Riff
Tom Petty was a hit master, and behind many of his chart toppers was his use of sus chords. We’ll show you how he did it.
Root 5 Sus Chords
Sus chords are a great way to spice up a standard chord progression. You see them all the time, and the root 5 chords are easy and sound awesome.
Staind Style Sus Chord Riff
Sus chords have a dark, ambiguous sound that works very well for alt rockers like Staind. We’ll show you how they might use these chords in a riff.
Root 6 Sus Chords
Today we’ll be checking out the root 6 7th chords. Get ready to inject some serious pizazz into your rhythm guitar playing!
Breaking Benjamin Style Sus Chord Riff
Sus chords are a favorite among alternative rockers because of their dark and ambiguous sound. We’ll be checking out a Breaking Benjamin style riff in this lesson!
7th Chords
7th Chord Theory
It’s time for another theory lesson to understand the workings of those 7th chords!
7th Chords in a Key
Today we’re going to learn what 7th chords belong in a key. This is essential for any potential songwriters out there and is critical for a better understanding of music.
Open Major 7 Chords
Major 7 chords are a great way to get a smooth, jazz sound. We’ll show you all of the open major 7 chords in this lesson.
Open Minor 7 Chords
If you want a dark blues, jazz, or alternative feel, look no further than the minor 7 chords. We’ll show you how to play them.
Open Dominant 7th Chords
Dominant 7 chords sound super bluesy, and today we’ll be learning the open ones.
Pink Floyd Style Open 7th Chords
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd would often use 7th chords for their complex sounds which fit very well into the Pink Floyd sound. We’ll show how he might use them!
The Doors Style 7th Chord Riff
The Doors were known for combining jazz and blues influences into their psychadelic sound, and key to that was their use of 7th chords.
Root 5 7th Chords
We’ve got another batch of new chords, this time the root 5 7th chords. These are essential for any blues, jazz, or funk player and are the preferred 7th chords at GBU.
Key of C 7th Chords
Today we’re going to apply 7th chords to the key of C. Once you have a good grasp of this concept, you’ll be to write and create some smooth, jazzy songs.
Killswitch Style Barred 7th Chords
Even the most hardcore of bands needs to mellow out sometimes! We’re checking out a 7th chord riff to illustrate the softer side of Killswitch Engage.
Root 6 7th Chords
In this lesson we’re going to learn about the root 6 7th chords. These smooth chords are a must know for any jazz player but essential for any guitarist regardless of style.
Steely Dan Style Root 6 7th Chord Riff
7th chords are very common for jazz players, and bands like Steely Dan would integrate them into their signature jazz/rock sound. Today we’ll show you how!
7th Sus Chords
7th Sus Chord Theory
We’ve got another theory lesson for you guys, this time we’re going to take a deeper look into sus 7th chords.
Open Sus 7 Chords
Few chords are as mysterious sounding as the open sus 7 chords. They hang you up and always leave you wanting more. So let’s get started!
The Who Style Open 7th Sus Chord Riff
7th Sus chords are a favorite among The Who guitarist Pete Townhend and can be heard on many of their classic tracks. Today we’ll learn a riff inspired by the British mega group!
Barred 7th Sus Chords
Time for the barred sus7 chords! Few chords will draw you and leave you wanting more than the sus7 chords. Learn the shapes then we’ll check out some riffs!
George Bensen Style Root 5 7th Sus Riff
7th Sus chords also have a very funky side, you just have to play them the right way! We’ll show you how in this George Bensen style riff.
Yes Style Barred 7th Sus Chord Riff
7th Sus chords are a favorite among progressive rockers, and today we’ll show you how a band like Yes might use these chords.