Mel Bay Fingerboard Theory for Guitar A Music Theory Text for Guitarists

by Mike Christiansen

This book contains concepts of music theory presented in such a way as to be easily understood by guitarists. All of the concepts are presented sequentially in an easy-to-follow format using the guitar fingerboard as the visual tool. Contents scales, key signatures, intervals, chord construction and voicing, harmonizing melodies, chord embellishment and substitution, modes, cadences, augmented sixth chords, quartal harmony, and more. Using this book, guitarists will be able to unravel the mysteries of music theory and realize that the concepts are not so mysterious after all.

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2005

About the author

Mike Christiansen is a versatile guitarist who is as comfortable playing music by The Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Sting as he is playing Antônio Carlos Jobim, Johann Sebastian Bach, jazz standards and show tunes. Mike has played for audiences from New York to Hawaii. He works as a soloist, with the Brazilian group, Evening in Brazil, with the Lightwood Duo, and the band, Mirage. He has backed up artists including: Johnny Hiland, Joe Diorio, Jack Petersen, Tommy Emmanuel, Glen Frey (the Eagles), Natalie Cole, and Take Six. Recently, he worked with Broadway stars Alfie Boe, Sutton Foster, Brian Stokes Mitchel, and the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. He has performed from coast to coast doing concerts and providing background music for corporate events, restaurants, and receptions. He has recorded music for television and film, including the guitar work on the film, Surviving Picasso starring Anthony Hopkins. Mike’s sound is just as amazing live as it is on recordings. With a repertoire ranging from classic rock and pop to classical, his noticeable, but not distracting, style can please any audience and add class and comfort to any occasion.
Mike is Professor Emeritus at Utah State University where he was Professor and Director of Guitar Studies for 39 Years. His awards include: Utah State University Professor of The Year, Caine College of the Arts Professor of the Year, and a U.S. Carnegie Professor of the Year. He has been a TED speaker and has authored/co-authored over 40 guitar and ukulele instruction books and appears on hundreds of instruction videos.
Mike is currently co-owner and Director of Curriculum for Consonus Music (cmilearn.org).