Guitar Theory

Make your guitar sing with insight on music theory brings your instrument to life 
 

There’s a universe of incredible music living in your guitar. You just need to discover how to let it out. In Guitar Theory For Dummies, expert guitarist and instructor Desi Serna walks you through the music theory concepts you need to understand to expand your musical horizons. From deciphering the mysteries of the fretboard to adapting chord progressions to a song’s key, you’ll master techniques that will help you move past simple, three-chord songs to more complex and creative pieces. 
 

Build on your existing knowledge of open and barre chords and simple progressions with practical instruction that demystifies scales and chord voicings and shows you how to bring them together to create impressive music. You can also jump over to dummies.com to hear audio samples of the examples featured in the book.  

You’ll also learn:  

• •  How chords, keys, and scales are built and how they interact with one another 
• •  Powerful concepts, like intervals, chord extensions, modes and modal scales, that grant access to a world of musical possibilities 
• •  How popular songs apply elements of guitar theory and how you can apply the same techniques 

Free yourself from the confines of tab sheets and simple chords and start enjoying all the musical potential of your guitar. Guitar Theory For Dummies is for anyone who wants to unlock the next stage of their musical journey. 

Learn the theories that make your guitar sing

A universe of music is living in your guitar. The key to exploring it is in guitar theory. This book helps you bring out that music, including navigating the fretboard, applying scales, and combining chords. You then extend the musical possibilities with intervals, harmony, chord extensions, modes, and more. With this useful guide, you’ll apply techniques that move you past simple three-chord progressions to next-level playing that shows off your expanding guitar skills.

Inside…

• •  Navigate the fretboard
• •  Get to know chord construction
• •  Understand scale formulas
• •  Identify tonics, keys, and modes
• •  Break down the theory to popular songs
• •  Examine the styles of famous players
• •  Create your own music

  About the Author

Desi Serna is a music instructor, author, and podcaster hailed as a “music theory expert” by Rolling Stone magazine. He is the author of several guitar instructional videos and books, including Guitar Rhythm & Technique For Dummies. Known for his hands-on approach to music theory and his emphasis on popular music, Desi offers video instruction for beginner through advanced players at his GuitarMusicTheory.com website.