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This podcast features free audio guitar lessons taught by Desi Serna, author of Fretboard Theory and Guitar Theory For Dummies. Learn how scales, chords, progressions, modes, and more get applied to the fretboard and familiar songs. Hear how to best get your playing skills in order. Begin to improvise and compose. Understand why your favorite songs sound so good. ➝ What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website to get FREE custom v ...
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The TopMusicGuitar podcast is a weekly show where you can learn about how to teach great guitar lessons, how to expand your studio, and how to build your dream job teaching guitar. Our host, Michael Gumley, has built one of Australia’s top guitar schools, and developed a best-selling curriculum. Michael interviews guest experts from the industry each week to share tips and advice about teaching guitar. Find us online at topmusic.co/guitar.
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In episode 173 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I sit down with Nashville music producer Jason Wyatt Kuhn to talk about the art of recording and producing music. Jason shares his journey from singer and songwriter to becoming a sought-after producer helping both aspiring artists and hobbyist songwriters bring their music to life. We discuss what…
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In episode 172 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about playing styles, overcoming physical limitations, key changes in songs, barre chord techniques, music theory exercises, slowing down music, and more. Riff Rockers Zoom class details: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/riff-rockers-zoom-class/ Enroll in a free video c…
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In episode 171 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions on a variety of guitar topics, including: 🎸 Assessing your guitar practice plan🎸 Joe Bonamassa’s rhythm guitar playing 🎸 Breaking down the key to "Take on Me" by A-ha 🎸 Understanding mode numbering 🎸 Different ways to finger a G chord and which one is best for you 🎸 Choo…
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In episode 170 of the Guitar Music Theory audio podcast, I look back at some of the top songs from 2024 with a very special guest, my 12-year-old daughter, Lila! 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated t…
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In episode 169 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I review some Christmas song guitar lessons I’ve previously posted on YouTube. These lessons feature great Christmas songs to learn, and I’ll break down the nuggets of music theory wisdom each one provides. Topics include passing chords, chord melody, playing in sixths, and more. Join the email lis…
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In episode 168 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I announce my new coaching program and answer listener questions about bass playing, playing with confidence, the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures, my old cover band setlist, and the song "Runnin' with the Devil" by Van Halen. Are you ready to invest in a structured coaching program t…
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In episode 167 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I guide you through my process of learning songs, using "It Hit Me Like a Hammer" by Huey Lewis and The News as an example. This track showcases chunky '80s rock power chords and a bluesy minor pentatonic guitar solo. I play it on my new PRS SE NF3 guitar, using a profile of a Mesa Boogie Mark 3 am…
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In episode 165 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I prepare to play upcoming gigs with the Huey Lewis and The News tribute band, The Heart of Rock and Roll. I walk you through the process I go through when I'm reviewing for a show and discuss the songs I'll be performing. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the ques…
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In episode 164 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I interview Scott Williamson, a top-tier studio drummer in the Nashville area for decades. In addition to his drumming career, Scott is a mixing engineer and music producer. He'll provide insights into life as a studio musician, answer listener questions, and reveal his favorite guitar parts. 🎸 Wha…
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How does the song "Jack and Diane" work? Listen to episode 163 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast to hear how this John Mellencamp classic features memorable acoustic guitar riffs that make great use of different chord shapes and chord voicings. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at …
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"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse is an epic rock anthem that blends various musical influences to create a unique and powerful listening experience. The song stands out for its grandiose and cinematic feel, drawing inspiration from progressive rock, space rock, and spaghetti westerns. In Episode 162 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I break the music…
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In episode 161 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about Hot For Teacher, multitracks, bass rigs, Funk #49, mastering songs, major and minor pentatonic, CAGED, hand soreness, Knights of Cydonia, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.G…
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In episode 160 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I demonstrate a technique for improvisation over jam tracks, drawing inspiration from the iconic song "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Leveraging guitar licks from renowned tracks like this can infuse your improvisations with creativity and flair, elevating your playing to new heights.…
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In episode 159 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss every type of seventh chord and how to use it. Seventh chords are made when you extend a triad with an additional third. There are five qualities of seventh chords that appear in music. They are Major seven, Minor seven, Dominant seven, Minor seven flat five (a.k.a. Half diminished), and …
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In Episode 158 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I discuss the harmonic minor scale and its use in familiar guitar songs. This includes common harmonic minor chord progressions and how to incorporate the scale in your lead lines and guitar solos. For more information, see my book Fretboard Theory Volume 2 or my video course Fretboard Theory Video…
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In episode 157 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about the circle of fifths, playing left-handed, Squier guitar mods, playing and singing, intervals, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom vi…
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In episode 156, keyboardist Scott Sheriff and I break down the song "Biggest Part of Me" by Ambrosia. We talk about the chords used in this song and how they’re based on a chromatic line cliché and include various extensions common to jazz and R&B music. ********************************* Scott's Links Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0oLy2MY…
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In episode 155 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about modes, major scale patterns, memorizing songs, effects pedals, foot tapping, Rocksmith, and the song "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. #fretboardtheory #guitartheoryfordummies #desiserna 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the …
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"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses features prominent guitar work by Slash, including the iconic opening riff and memorable solos. The song uses the guitar scales D Mixolydian mode, E Aeolian mode, E harmonic minor, and E minor pentatonic. In this podast episode, I explain each scale and its use in this quintessential rock anthem. 🎸 What do you…
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Which guitar scales, amps, and effects does Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash use? Matt Reviere and I discuss Slash's style and break down his tone in episode 153 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE cust…
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Why does Keith Richards use open G tuning, what's the difference between a cheap and expensive acoustic guitar, should songs be memorized, and what are sus4 chords? Get answers to these questions and more in episode 152 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.c…
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In episode 151 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere and I talk about our favorite Christmas songs. We play together and analyze some holiday classics that are rich in music theory and composition techniques. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answ…
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In my latest audio podcast, I answer listener questions about guitar modelers, PRS guitars, scales, beginner struggles, slide, Drop-D tuning, and playing acoustic guitar gigs. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video …
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In this episode, we're having a chat with Brandon D'Eon, the mastermind behind the 52 Week Guitar Player. Boasting a staggering half a million YouTube subscribers, Brandon's journey from a music degree pursuit to full-time guitar content creation is as inspiring as it is insightful. We dive into the specifics of the 52 Week Guitar Player course, hi…
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In today's show, we delve into the intricacies of music theory with our guest, Guillaume "Will" Metz. Renowned as a French-American guitarist, author, and teacher, Will specializes in demystifying music theory for self-taught guitarists, paving the way for enhanced improvisation skills and an overall enriched musical experience. In this episode, we…
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Guitarists often use octave shapes to play rhythm guitar parts, riffs, and lead lines. In this podcast episode, I explain how octaves are formed on the guitar fretboard and which popular guitar songs use them. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your …
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In today's show, we're joined by Tim Topham, the brilliant mind behind TopMusic. A seasoned entrepreneur and piano maestro, Tim takes us through his unconventional journey from piano teacher to innovator, exploring the misalignment between traditional teaching methods and students' preferences. This episode unveils Tim's latest masterpiece, the "No…
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Today, we delve into the stories and strategies of exceptional individuals in the world of music and education. In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Rob Mills, a prominent figure in guitar and vocal instruction who once played a pivotal role as the guitarist for Diamond Head. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Rob unveils his compreh…
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Music with changes or accents that fall on something other than the most predictable beats is said to be syncopated. I discuss this in episode 148 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast. Listen to song examples from Neil Young, KT Tunstall, Herbie Hancock, Adele, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Visit https://Guita…
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In episode 147 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I interview Carrie Underwood keyboardist Scott Sheriff. Scott is a veteran touring musician who was also the musical director for Kenny Loggins and the bandleader for Steven Curtis Chapman. Scott has other projects on the side when he's not on the road, including the Huey Lewis & The News tribute a…
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In this episode, we delve into the world of virtual assistants and how they can make your life easier. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of hiring virtual assistants, where to find them, and what tasks you can delegate to them. I'll also share my personal experiences with hiring a virtual assistant, providing insights and tips for making this…
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In today's show, I'm thrilled to introduce my Level Up System, which has been a cornerstone within my Guitar Ninjas Curriculum for the past few years. This approach has proven to be a game-changer in making guitar lessons more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In this episode, I'm excited to share with you the core philosophy behind the Level …
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In this episode, I'm going to take you through the essential software that transformed my guitar teaching business. I'm going to reveal the number one tool I use to manage my business efficiently and I'll tell you why it's crucial for music educators and anyone in the teaching and customer service industry. Stay tuned to find out how this software …
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In today's solo episode, we're diving deep into a game-changing strategy - the Rule of 100. Whether you're growing your guitar teaching business, YouTube channel, or social media following, this powerful approach can work wonders. It's all about taking 100 actions every day for 100 days. That might sound like a lot, but if you're dedicated to your …
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Today's episode draws inspiration from marketing guru Alex Hormozy and his ingenious book launch strategy, emphasizing the power of adding value to your guitar lessons. We dive into the art of pricing your lessons beyond the traditional per-session model, advocating for tiered membership packages that not only boost your income but also enhance stu…
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In episode 146 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about chord tones and extensions, the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane, playing with injuries and hand limitations, keeping track of measures while soloing, applying pentatonic scale patterns, reaquiring your chops after time off, and more. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICA…
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In episode 145 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I have another installment of How Does This Song Work? featuring "Satellite" by Dave Matthews Band. I discuss the key, scale, chords, and progression, plus explain the 3/4 time signature. View the video, tab, and neck diagrams on my website here: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/dave-matthews-sate…
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In this episode of the TopMusic Guitar Podcast, Nick Tucker from Spark School of Music and Dance joins us to share his journey from humble beginnings to running a music and dance studio with over 500 students. Nick shares the lessons he has learned, his experiences with teaching and managing, and some marketing tips to help grow your business. Nick…
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Get ready to elevate your guitar lessons to a whole new level in today's episode featuring Ulrich Ellison. As a three-time Downbeat Award winner, Ulrich has earned international acclaim for his electrifying guitar prowess and songwriting that transcends blues traditions and contemporary rock. In today's show, Ulrich shares insights into his journey…
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In this episode, we’re having a chat with Nick Dozer, a seasoned guitar teacher with 15 years of experience. Nick and his wife, Dina, are the heart and soul behind the Southern Ohio Academy of Music, a beacon of musical education in their community. But Nick’s journey doesn’t stop at music; he’s a true multi-passionate individual. Beyond his passio…
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Which scales should you learn if you want to play popular styles of music on guitar such as pop, rock, blues, and country? I tell you in this podcast episode and play examples from familiar songs. 🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit https://GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and g…
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In today’s episode, we dive deep into the crucial topic of tailoring your guitar teaching to meet each guitar student’s unique needs for success. As guitar teachers, we often find ourselves frustrated when our students don’t progress as quickly as we did or as we’d like them to. However, it’s essential to remember that we are the exception, the top…
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In today’s solo episode, we explore the highly debated topic of whether guitar teachers should teach their students to read music. With differing opinions, we delve into the heart of the matter, presenting multiple perspectives and shedding light on this divisive subject. Playing guitar and reading music are two distinct skills that can overwhelm b…
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In today’s show, I’m thrilled to have a good friend and a fellow Aussie, Glen Hitchon, join us to share his insightful journey of guitar teaching. He takes us through the captivating chapters of his guitar teaching experience, including what ignited his passion for teaching. He shares with us the incredible impact he strives to make on his students…
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In this engaging solo episode, we dive into the topic of attracting high-quality guitar students and building a reputation for excellence. Inspired by a recent conversation with a parent, I dive deep into the heart of our guitar teaching program's value, shedding light on what sets us apart from the rest. Join me as I explore the nuanced difference…
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The ii chord in music is naturally minor, but here I explain how it often gets switched to major to produce a bright, uplifting sound. This happens in songs such as "Eight Days a Week," "American Girl," and others. Watch the video version of this lesson on YouTube. https://youtu.be/JylyPkwhn34 Check out the song "Headin' to the Beach" by Carl Wayne…
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In today’s show, we’re diving deep into the heart of guitar learning as we unravel the six challenges of guitar teaching that every aspiring guitarist encounters on their path to mastery. From technical intricacies to rhythm precision, from building confidence to navigating the fretboard, we leave no stone unturned. Brace yourself for a wealth of e…
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In today’s insightful episode of our podcast, I take you through a candid journey into the world of guitar teaching and music education. With my wealth of personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom, we’ll dive deep into the question of whether you should build a music school or stay as a solo teacher. Drawing from my own journey, I share the pros …
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Welcome to another eye-opening episode of our podcast where we unravel the famous myth of 10,000 hours. In this episode, we take a closer look at the infamous “10,000 hours” rule and its impact on guitar students and teachers alike. While the idea of dedicating 10,000 hours to practice is alluring, the reality is that it can take decades for most i…
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