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Desi Serna

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 video instruction calibrated to your current level. Discover how to progressively play and sound better—today, in as little as 33 minutes!

Guitar Music Theory

In this episode, I break down the 1975 Rainbow classic featuring Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio. I take you through the signature opening riff, the shifting minor key changes, the alternate-picked arpeggios, and the fiery solo that defines the track. I also talk about Blackmore’s Strat/Marshall setup and show you how studying this song can improve your technique, deepen your understanding of music theory, and boost your confidence as a guitarist.
 
Free Custom Video Course
 
Be sure to visit https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and answer the question about your playing. I’ll send you a free custom video course with a clear, step-by-step plan to help you reach your guitar goals and start sounding like the player you’ve always wanted to be.

Ep177 Man on the Silver Mountain – How Does This Song Work?

In episode 176 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk with Roger and Tony Langdon, founders of The Heart of Rock and Roll—America’s #1 Huey Lewis tribute band. We dive into what it takes to run a high-level tribute act, including building a band, nailing the sound, preparing for gigs, and delivering a polished live show.
 
The Heart of Rock and Roll
 Learn more about the band at https://hueytribute.com/
 
Free Guitar Video Course
 Enroll in a free video course at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get custom instruction based on your current playing level.

Ep176 How to Build a Pro Tribute Band- Inside The Heart of Rock and Roll with Roger and Tony Langdon

In episode 175 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener emails about:
 
 • Using your thumb to fret the 6th string in barre chords and possible workarounds
 • How to improve your rhythm and memorize songs more effectively
 • The G form barre chord and how it's used in modern playing
 • A theory-based analysis of Foo Fighters’ use of pedal tones in chord progressions
 • Why sus4 and minor 6 chords don’t naturally occur in certain scale degrees
 • Why guitarists sometimes play notes like F# over A minor—mixing scales in blues-based rock
 
Plus, I mention the JamZone app and how it can help you practice and play along with real songs.
 
Zoom Classes
 https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/zoom/
 
Quiz and Free Video Course
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep175 Q&A Thumb Chords - Song Memory - Rhythm Tips - and Foo Fighters Fretboard Tricks

In episode 174 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I chat with Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere about recreating classic 80s guitar tones for the Kemper Profiling Amplifier and Line 6 Helix using the new Inspired by the 80s pack from Tone Junkie. We discuss his workflow for analyzing songs, dialing in tones, and jamming on iconic riffs from artists like Dire Straits, The Police, Bon Jovi, and more. 
 
🎛️ Check out the Tone Junkie pack here: tonejunkiestore.com/inspiredby/p/inspired-by-the-80s-kemper
 
🎸 Get started with a free video course tailored to your current level at GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep174 Recreating Iconic 80s Tones For Kemper and Helix with Matt Reviere

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 it’s like working in the studio, how the production process unfolds, and the critical role a producer plays in shaping a song’s final sound. You’ll even hear before-and-after audio examples that reveal the dramatic transformation from raw work tape to polished master.
 
Jason Wyatt Kuhn - We the People Music
 https://wethepeople.music/
 
Lexi Lew
 https://linktr.ee/lexilewmusic
 
Brooks Herring
 https://brooksherringmusic.com/
 
FREE GUITAR VIDEO COURSE
 🎸 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 to your current level.
 
00:00 "Recording Insights with Jason Kuhn"
 
05:30 "Jason Wyatt's Musical Journey"
 
12:51 "We the People" Music Company
 
16:49 Finding Success in Music Industry
 
22:28 Musician's Dilemma: Confidence and Choices
 
28:35 From Rough Tapes to Studio Pros
 
35:37 80s Fan Reflects on Nirvana Shift
 
39:12 "Creating Musical Hooks"
 
43:51 Creative Process in Songmaking
 
54:34 Pre-Production Essentials Explained
 
58:54 Musical Collaboration Process
 
01:04:15 First Nashville Recording Session Experience
 
01:05:49 Impressive On-the-Spot Musicianship
 
01:16:13 Post-Production Sound Editing
 
01:19:32 Episode 173 Wrap-Up

Ep173 From Demo to Radio - Inside Music Production with Jason Wyatt Kuhn

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 course and join the email list: https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep172 Q&A playing style - physical limitations - key changes - bar chord techniques - music theory exercises - slowing down music

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
 🎸 Choosing the best guitar practice amp for your needs
 
Tune in to get practical guitar advice, improve your playing, and gain new insights into music theory and technique!
 
🔗 Enroll in a FREE video course at GuitarMusicTheory.com
 🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe!

Ep171 Q&A Practice Plan-Joe-Bonamassa Rhythm-Take On Me Chords-Numbering Modes-G Chord Fingerings-Best Practice Amp

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 to your current level.

Ep170 Top Hits of 2024 with Lila

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 list by subscribing at the https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com website.

Ep169 Good Christmas Songs to Learn

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 to take your guitar playing to the next level? Fill out the contact form on my website and share your music goals with me: https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/contact/

Ep168 Q&A - New Coaching Program - Bass Playing - Playing with Confidence - Running with the Devil - 3/4 vs 6/8 - Cover Band Setlist

How to learn one of the most commonly used scales on guitar, the pentatonic scale. The five pentatonic scale patterns are used to play melodies, riffs, solos, and bass lines. Taught by Desi Serna of http://GuitarMusicTheory.com.

Episode 03 How to Learn Pentatonic Scale Patterns and Play Pentatonic Songs

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