I was just messing around, particularly with the top 4 strings (DGBE) and I came across the Gmaj7 to A6 little like lick sorta thing and I thought it sounded really pretty and I'm thinking about turning it into something but I want to know if there's maybe a chord I can put after the A6 to transition back or if there's anything else I can add to give it more depth instead of it just being the 2 chords alone. I think it sounds really pretty as is but any ideas would be great!

So I’ve been playing for a while now and finally decided to learn some music theory and stuff.

Now I think I unterstand now why scales are useful. Every explanation video on YouTube shows you a certain pattern, but no one tells you where the starting point/ root note is and where on the threat board you can start applying this pattern. This confuses me 😅 I’m sure you can’t just start anywhere that wouldn’t make sense I guess. The major scale/ ionian mode just takes all the full notes so I guess I can start with any full note on the low e string?

I really hope someone can explain because I’m really confused rn😅😂

I often look up fretboard diagrams for reference and practice purposes when I practice. So I built a tool instead to replace it.

It has many customizable features, like setting the fretboard vertical, lefty, or toggleable notes. It even can copy the SVG content, or save the image to your computer.

Any feedback or ideas on how I can improve or add to it would be greatly appreciated and will be thrown onto the backlog of things I can implement.

You can check it out at:

https://guitartheory.pages.dev/

Again thank! And please hit me up with any function or feedback, I will definitely check it out and add it to my todo list!

I stopped progressing due to lacking music theory. What should I do?

Hey guys,

I've been playing guitar for many years now (on and off), and more recently I feel that I am not progressing anymore due to a lack of music theory understanding.

I am familiar with the simple concepts, but lack the connections between them, and am not too deep into the topics.

Did anyone go through this? How would you approach theory in order to start progressing again? What are the main topics I should master?

Thanks in advance!

[Edit] Thanks so much for all the answers! I'll try to go over all the content shared here!

One of the first scales I learned on the guitar was E minor pentatonic scale. It's a great place to start learning scales!
https://guitarfreaksblog.com/mastering-e-minor-guitar-scales/

Hi all,

I started playing guitar at a young age although it was acoustic. My neighbour ( god rest his soul) taught me in my teens however upon entering further education in Music I took a liking to bass and have been a bass player ever since ( 17 years).

I am currently in a 3 piece band only studio recordings at my guitarists home. ( I am not plugging my band as its not the place). My guitarist is in his 60's and has told me tonight he is starting to find it difficult playing the guitar as his fingers are hurting and said he doesn't think he's got long left before he can't play what he wants to. ( 80's hair rock / metal).

I want to take some pressure off him and pick up the electric guitar. I have one ( albeit a £30 cash generator cheap Strat copy) , however I haven't played it in years and although I have good dexterity for the bass, my guitar skills are very clumsy.

--- Question ---

Do you know of any tips/ know any resources available to help my guitar skills and get playing / writing better. I need to get better with my music theory too so if the resource covers that too then even better.

many thanks

Starting off this post with the basics for people who don’t already know how to quickly figure out a diatonic key signature/tonality by the chords: 1-4-5 relationships between MAJOR chords are very prevalent in most music we as guitarists play. So a trick here is to keep an eye out for any two MAJOR chords that are a WHOLE step apart.

They are usually the 4 and 5 chord of a major scale and therefore will have the 1 chord that ties them together tastefully within the circle of fifths. (please note that Minor chords have this same relationship in diatonic key signatures but we’re not talking about that right now to keep it simple)

So let’s say you have a song that has a chord progression of F, Em, G, Dm.

I see the F major and G major and since they’re a whole step apart I know immediately that this song is most likely going to be containing all of the notes in C major. Whether it’s C major or a MODE of C major, it’s all still the same notes and shapes on your guitar.

I am quickly able to observe that because in the key of C major, the 1 is C, the 4 is F, and the 5 is G.

My example can be interpreted as being modal, particularly F Lydian, but we will address modes shortly.

PART 2: The diatonic 1-4-5 trick is useful, but not all songs are that simple. Some songs have progressions that are a bunch major chords that clash and don’t fit nicely in a key together like E, G, A, E.

Those chords will make some people scratch their head as to what they should play or what “key” it’s even in since it has notes from E major and E minor. THIS is now where modes come into play, and why the first part of the post was necessary—

First of all my view on modes is simple, it’s all the same major scale but the root note is now starting at a different point of the scale. Take this collection of notes:

C D E F G A B

Depending on where you start it can be C Ionian (major), D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian, G Mixolydian, A Aeolian, and or B Locrian. That’s how I interpret modes from major scales, and this is the same for all keys obviously.

So starting on the 2nd degree of any major scale makes it Dorian, starting on the 4th degree would make it Lydian and so on. That’s all modes really are.

Back to our main point, there are two major chords which are a whole step apart from one another in the other chord progression we have, which was E, G, A, E.

In particular the G and A chords are MAJOR chords and a whole step apart from one another and that will help you discern some sort of pattern or tonality of which to see the song.

As I mentioned earlier that means the G and A are the 4 and 5 of a chord. And I’ll spare the anticipation, yes they are the major 4 and major 5 chord of D major.

So now here we are playing the notes of D major, over the E, G, A, E chords in a context of which E is clearly the root note, and furthermore E is a major chord… yes.

And so we can deduce that you will be playing E Dorian. And it sounds great. Yes, when starting out and learning theory you simply ignore that the E has a major third in a case like this…You can tack on the major third of your E chord occasionally in order to resolve when you’re done soloing or riffing, but that’s simple enough compared to the theory in the rest of this post.

I hope this post was clear, concise, and able to help someone on their theory journey today. Thanks for reading!

What frett puts you into close proximity of all the notes. I want to start learning to play on diff places on the neck. What is the most efficient spot? I thought I found on a video on this once and can't find it again. I thought it was called the omni chord location or something....idk man. I'm struggling.

Note for note guitar transcription of Trey Anastasio’s solo from Lowell 1995. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/w7k9XIVc2tw?si=b-NRLwcpMQ5EcDVJ

Hi everyone,

I am a guitar teacher with passion for a wide range of music, who has been teaching online, since 2019. I focus on teaching beginner and intermediate guitarists by reviewing their goals thoroughly and creating short and long term plans accordingly.

I'm currently looking for motivated students who want to become better guitarists and musicians, but don't necessarily know how to proceed further.

In the free trial lesson, we will look and talk about fundamental skills, left & right hand techniques, music theory and ear training. We will assess the areas that need the most amount of focus, so that these areas also make sense combined with your goals.

If you are interested, contact me via Reddit or Instagram DM's, no matter your skill level or current musical experience. Let's take your playing to the next level!

Instagram: mert_ozdemiroglu_guitar

I'm self taught so I was interested in what order did you learn guitar theory in? I know things get more individualised later down the road, so what was your journey like?

For those who have made it completely through either of these volumes…I’m looking for a little insight on which lines you decided to internalize. Did you try to commit to memory one or two for each chord and position or just the particular lines that resonate with you? I’m still in the Major Chord section of Vol. 1. I’ve not skipped anything and done some of the material twice just to be thorough. I’ve highlighted the specific lines that “speak to me”. Just wondering if anyone had any advice or insight on the upcoming sections and how you internalized the material as a whole. Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I have lately noticed that there are a lot of of beginner & intermediate guitarists, who reach a certain milestone, but don't know where to head next.

I help a lot of guitarists by reviewing their goals together and creating them a road map/practice plan. This way, they are able to reach their targets more effectively and don't have to waste time and energy to find the resources they need, in the saturated world of Youtube guides.

If you are interested in a free consultation call and want to take your playing to the next level, don't hesitate to contact me via DM's or my Instagram.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mert_ozdemiroglu_guitar/

I apologise in advance if someone has already asked this question, but I've researched the internet and was unable to understand the difference between the two guitars mentioned, so I was wondering if anyone could explain it to me?

Also, I wanted to ask is classic guitar a good start for beginners? Because I see a lot of people on the internet doing covers with what I presume to be an acoustic guitar, which is a different shape from the guitar I have (my friend told me I have an acoustic guitar), so it made me wonder if it's a good guitar to start with, or should I switch to acoustic guitar?

Thank you to everyone in advance! :)

Hi, Im an intermediate metal guitarist been playing for a bit over a year and i think im plateuing. I've learned the following concepts/techniques and am not sure what to focus on or learn next

Techniques: Hammer ons/ Pull offs Tapping Alternate picking slides Bends & Vibrato Pinch Harmonics

Concepts: Minor and major scale positions Major and minor pentatonic scale positions Modes how to form chords from scales up to 7th chords (i see no use in going past 7th for now) Bar chords Blues scale Intervals Chord Progressions Soloing over chords Circle of 5ths

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I’m self taught and believe it or not I’ve done a decent bit with song writing and improv without learning triads, that being said I’m overwhelmed and stuck and need a starting place. Thanks in advance

Hey all - just wondering what some of the best online courses (or any other ways) are for fretboard visualization - to ultimately learn how to improv better. Open to learning key theory concepts as well, which I know I'll be the main part of it all and basically necessary

I've been playing for 20 years and I'm proficient at most techniques but there are some players out there like Nick Johnston, Martin Miller, Rick Graham, John Nathan Cordy, etc. that are just absolute masters at putting together long and fluent lines and getting to that next level is where I'm trying to get to. Just haven't found the right courses that have made everything "click" for me. Most YouTube videos don't cut it. Thanks in advance!

I’ve made a chord progression with the chords E major to c major to G major to A major but I’ve got no idea what key that’s in cos technically those chords don’t fit into any key?

Has anyone used any of the Applied Guitar Theory titles? Particularly interested in learning the fretboard notes in combination with learning scales.

They have currently an all books (5) offer for $20 but as with many e-books I don't think they are very longer. Main thing I'm interested is if they are effective if used to progress on the guitar.

Offer is here: https://appliedguitartheory.com/product/all-books-bundle/

Hi guys, noob here. I’m about to mix a song in the vein of "California Dreaming”, basic rock with stereo vocal harmonies and I’d like to find some reference tracks with the same vibe/technique but with a more modern production. What similar songs do you know?

I’m trying to learn the major pentatonic scale formula which is 12356. For the A major pen wouldn’t that be A B C E F? How is it A B C# E F# ? I don’t get it. I probably sound kinda dumb but I just need someone to explain.

I'm trying to understand triad chord theory. Thanks.

I can do them fairly well but it seems like only half the time I hit them, I hit them on the notes that I’m fretting. I understand different points on the string that you hit with your thumb make different notes ring out but it seems so random.

I just put a tuner on to see what the other notes are because they don’t sound bad, but they’re not what I’m trying to do. Sometimes when I hit a pinch harmonic, it’s the correct note that I’m fretting, but sometimes it’s a 4th, sometimes a perfect 5th, sometimes it’s a flat 7, and sometimes a minor third. I’m usually in a palm mute position if that matters (I play 7 string mostly). And no this is not an intonation issue, because it happens with all 4 of my guitars.

Have a very strange problem, hopefully there is a lurking genius who can solve it cause I'm stumped.

I'm studying a stuffy counterpoint composition manual written hundreds of years ago and trying to adapt it for guitar. Obviously the manual was written for keys, and thus the problem. These lessons require that I'm able to play root position, first and second inversions of major and minor triads, and also third inversions of dominant seventh chords; all as moveable shapes.

Unfortunately with standard EBGDAE tuning, it is basically impossible to play most root position dominant seventh chords as moveable shapes, or the other inversions for that matter. Playing the minor/major root, first and second inversions is also a bit uncomfortable though it is possible.

Does anyone know of a tuning that makes it possible to play these chords with moveable shapes?

The only alternative I came up with is DAFCAE which does allow me to play the traditional inversions of minor, major and dominant chords. But I'm sure someone has a better idea than this.

Hey fellas, played guitar for years but finally getting around to learning how to actually understand it, if you know what I mean.

In regards to scales, would the C Major scale "go" with a C Major minor pentatonic scale, since they're in the same key?

Typing it out it seems like a no brainer, but I often overthink things and just want to be sure I'm getting along with the concept.

Thanks!

Im trying to figure out what notes to hit for a guitar melody I’m working with for my college course. The melody was made by my partner in FL with the piano roll and a guitar imitation plug in. I then detected the pitch regions and that gave me a bunch of notes, but is there an easier way to find out what I’m supposed to be hitting on my guitar besides doing it all by ear? I can link anyone the melody or the note chart I made if it makes it easier to answer my question.

for the sake of simplicity, say i am playing a i-v-vi-iv chord progression in the key of c major (c–g–am–f). what are different combinations that would work for a chorus? and what are the best ways to transition?

thanks!!

I recently wrote something in the infamous Locrian mode after being inspired by another Reddit post, and as an added challenge I decided to write it in 5/4 time just to break out of my usual routine.

I was using shell voicings and so I was having a tougher time than usual droning the root note (which is what I normally as my exercise to practice and “hear” the mode without slipping into another more familiar tonality)…

…As funny as it sounds, using the root note’s secondary dominant to start and finish the passage I wrote REALLY helped it sound like it was actually the Locrian mode a lot more. I know that using a secondary dominant would be breaking rules of the self imposed challenge of “just Locrian mode” and I do have a version that doesn’t use the secondary dominant, but I find the use of the secondary dominant much more tasteful in my specific situation pertaining to the piece I wrote.

I know that telling someone to try playing outside of Locrian to sound MORE Locrian may sound a little ridiculous, but it’s funny how much I overlooked it’s use in establishing a mode/tonality. Thanks for reading!

Is playing in almost fifths tuning with the lowest string extending down to E1(say 0.74 gauge) is hardly a new concept of chordal playing (fingerstyle or strumming)? Just to illustrate the standard can mirrored from E2A2 d3 g3 b3e4 to E1B1 G2 d3 a3~e4 with a minor6th interval from B1-G2 as inverted from the maj3rds standard.

Understandable that Violins or other fifths sounding instrument like a Mandolin, harkens to a tradition of music half a millennium ago when gaining extended range was the reason for shifting from fourths type of tuning. Violins are tuned in fifths because this harmonic relationship produces the richest set of overtones. Gambas, which are tuned in fourths, have a somewhat less resonant series of overtones. Fifth-tuned instruments have more frequency peaks, stronger frequency peaks, and higher frequency peaks.

Apart from the not so normal inversions and less access to the 3rds, chords can be full sounding with a root deep bass sounding note when fully triggering the strings on open chords. Open voiced sounding chords are also a characteristic of fifths or near fifths tuning.

Has this ever been fully explored in modern music before? I mean violins can play modern music but as a lap instrument you can play on the fly, having this fifths/minor6ths tuning is worth a try?