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Guitar Theory: Straight Talking Music Theory for Guitarists
Master Fundamental Theory Skills and Take your Guitar Playing to the Next LevelMusic theory can be an extremely complicated subject. The fact is, we don’t need to know half of it; so why over-complicate things? This book is about the building blocks of music theory and how it applies to the guitar. It will teach you the things that matter; the stuff that’s really worth knowing if you want to take your guitar skills to the next level.
There’s nothing wrong with learning advanced music theory. Most of us, however, don’t care too much about it, or have much need for it. It’s all very well knowing everything about counterpoint, parallel movement, submediants, doppio movimento etc., but for the typical guitarist, unless you are serious about composing by formula, reading music, or just like sounding clever; it’s not going to suddenly make you a better musician.
Guitar Theory will show you how to make sense of the fundamentals; the stuff that matters. Things that will help you figure out chords and scales without needing to resort to diagrams; understanding how and why chords belong to a particular key and how to recognise when they do; scale numbering and making scale choices for guitar soloing; why scales and chords go together? … all of the things that will help you understand music better and be able to make sense of the lingo when reading, or watching, other guitar tutorials and videos.
This book makes no attempt at teaching advanced music theory which can take many years to master. It does however give you a head start by spending more time breaking down the basics instead of trying to stuff three years of serious study into less than a few hundred pages. Once you understand the basics, the rest will make much more sense.
The music theory building blocks will teach the major scale is and why it is important.How scales are constructed and Minor thirds, flat sevenths, augmented fifths etc. What it all means.How chords are constructed from scales.Chords and key. Why certain chords belong to a particular key.The Roman numeral system and why it’s so useful.Minor scale types and their differences explained.The Circle of Is it really that useful?Modes explained. How can seven scales contain all the same notes, yet be different?Scales and How to choose scales to play over different chord progressions.Scales and soloing is more of a bonus section. This subject alone can be huge so I’ve broke it down and condensed it. This is your crash course on one of the most common questions I get "What scale do I use for my guitar solo?" This section will give you an understanding of how to look at various chord progressions and choose the right scale or other soloing ideas.
This book does not teach you how to read music and no music notation is included or explained. It’s just the building blocks of music theory and how everything pieces together. Some Tab is included so you should know how to read basic guitar tablature. The content moves from beginner to advanced intermediate. Although much of the content is suitable for beginners, as the book progresses it leads more towards advanced ideas and some playing and listening experience is expected. The more you play, the more it will make sense.
Audio DownloadsAudio examples and jam tracks for the book content are available for download and can be played on your computer or uploaded to any MP3 compatible device.
There’s nothing wrong with learning advanced music theory. Most of us, however, don’t care too much about it, or have much need for it. It’s all very well knowing everything about counterpoint, parallel movement, submediants, doppio movimento etc., but for the typical guitarist, unless you are serious about composing by formula, reading music, or just like sounding clever; it’s not going to suddenly make you a better musician.
Guitar Theory will show you how to make sense of the fundamentals; the stuff that matters. Things that will help you figure out chords and scales without needing to resort to diagrams; understanding how and why chords belong to a particular key and how to recognise when they do; scale numbering and making scale choices for guitar soloing; why scales and chords go together? … all of the things that will help you understand music better and be able to make sense of the lingo when reading, or watching, other guitar tutorials and videos.
This book makes no attempt at teaching advanced music theory which can take many years to master. It does however give you a head start by spending more time breaking down the basics instead of trying to stuff three years of serious study into less than a few hundred pages. Once you understand the basics, the rest will make much more sense.
The music theory building blocks will teach the major scale is and why it is important.How scales are constructed and Minor thirds, flat sevenths, augmented fifths etc. What it all means.How chords are constructed from scales.Chords and key. Why certain chords belong to a particular key.The Roman numeral system and why it’s so useful.Minor scale types and their differences explained.The Circle of Is it really that useful?Modes explained. How can seven scales contain all the same notes, yet be different?Scales and How to choose scales to play over different chord progressions.Scales and soloing is more of a bonus section. This subject alone can be huge so I’ve broke it down and condensed it. This is your crash course on one of the most common questions I get "What scale do I use for my guitar solo?" This section will give you an understanding of how to look at various chord progressions and choose the right scale or other soloing ideas.
This book does not teach you how to read music and no music notation is included or explained. It’s just the building blocks of music theory and how everything pieces together. Some Tab is included so you should know how to read basic guitar tablature. The content moves from beginner to advanced intermediate. Although much of the content is suitable for beginners, as the book progresses it leads more towards advanced ideas and some playing and listening experience is expected. The more you play, the more it will make sense.
Audio DownloadsAudio examples and jam tracks for the book content are available for download and can be played on your computer or uploaded to any MP3 compatible device.
- GenresMusic
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2018
218 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 6, 2021
To the point
Gave me much needed courage to experiment and try things on my own. Chapters move pretty quickly at the start, wrapping up intervals, scales, chord building, etc. in few pages. So although they are good chapters, it would be more useful if one already knew them beforehand. Then much of the later half of the book is on playing right notes over harmony in progressions that may be in same/different keys and in different genres altogether. Will reread make thorough notes.
Gave me much needed courage to experiment and try things on my own. Chapters move pretty quickly at the start, wrapping up intervals, scales, chord building, etc. in few pages. So although they are good chapters, it would be more useful if one already knew them beforehand. Then much of the later half of the book is on playing right notes over harmony in progressions that may be in same/different keys and in different genres altogether. Will reread make thorough notes.
March 27, 2019
If you only had to buy one book for your guitar journey
One of the most valuable tools for beginner to advanced guitar players across genres. As much a practical and no nonsense compass for developing fretboard mastery, as a reference for many years to come. Well done, well written!!
One of the most valuable tools for beginner to advanced guitar players across genres. As much a practical and no nonsense compass for developing fretboard mastery, as a reference for many years to come. Well done, well written!!
March 12, 2020
For the budding intermediate player...thumbs up!!!
There was much depth of practical applications and explanations that I found helpful and encouraging.
I won't disparage other "how to" guitar authors/videographers, but this author reached my learning style in ways others haven't. I look forward to the audio experience.
There was much depth of practical applications and explanations that I found helpful and encouraging.
I won't disparage other "how to" guitar authors/videographers, but this author reached my learning style in ways others haven't. I look forward to the audio experience.
March 16, 2021
So etwas haben ich lange gesucht. Eine kompakte, unkomplizierte aber auch breite Zusammenfassung zu Musiktheorie für Gitarristen. Versatzstücke sind mir in den vielen Jahren immer wieder über den Weg gelaufen, hier ist alles drin. Hab ich an zwei Abenden mit Genuss durchgelesen und wieder von vorne begonnen.
January 28, 2021
Is not a music theory book. Is just a transcript of a guy making a YouTube video. I was expecting a better writing and it doesn't explain things in a clear way, is like is a guy talking to you, which is fine, some people could find it helpful, but I'd watch a YouTube video for this.
February 3, 2024
Complete - as far as I understand the matter - easy and engaging. Plenty of recommendations for newbies as well as for more experienced players.
Really enjoyed it, I’m sure I’ll go back to selected chapters from time to time.
Really enjoyed it, I’m sure I’ll go back to selected chapters from time to time.
June 10, 2019
Good book
Very good book . Help me understand the real logic and philosophy behind soloing . All i need now is more and more practice.
Very good book . Help me understand the real logic and philosophy behind soloing . All i need now is more and more practice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews