Essential Guitar Lessons: Including Basic Music Theory, Keyboard & Songwriting

The importance for guitar players (as well as players of any musical instrument) to understand basic music theory cannot be overstated. It is virtually impossible to make certain advancements without this knowledge. While some musicians demonstrate a decided degree of creativity and musical sophistication without possessing a clear understanding of music theory, they are the exception rather than the rule. After more than four decades of playing, studying, songwriting and teaching music, I am more convinced than ever that every guitarist should learn basic music theory, the theory of chord construction, scales and basic keyboard. Even those relatively few, naturally gifted musicians, who possess an intuitive talent can enhance their abilities with this knowledge. Unfortunately, because beginners are generally very anxious to get on with playing songs, all too often they neglect to learn basic music theory, or even proper guitar technique. This negligence ultimately inhibits their ability to play-at least correctly-the very songs they are so anxious play in the first place. It also inhibits their ability to play by ear, to jam with others, and to write their own songs. Thus, learning basic music theory, chord construction and proper technique must not be averted. To better facilitate the learning of music theory and chord construction it is extremely important to have at least a basic understanding of the keyboard. One need not master the keyboard, but understanding its rudimentary construction makes understanding scales and chord structures easier and, thus, learning the guitar easier. Because students are better motivated if they learn songs early in their musical education, several songs are interspersed throughout the various lessons with a rather large selection of songs in various genres and formats. Beyond guitar chords and scales, the student receives lessons in basic music theory, the theory of chord construction, tablature, notation, playing by ear, finger picking, double stops, songwriting technique and more.