Category: Learn Acoustic Guitar
Resources for the acoustic guitarist who wants to learn basic music theory without getting overly complex.
81 articles on Learning Acoustic Guitar
Dive into the articles (we have over 80 on learning the acoustic guitar) and take the steps to becoming the next Tommy Emmanuel, Paul Simon or Davey Graham.
The Caged System Learn Acoustic Guitar
Why the CAGED System Is Important
The guitar fretboard is a challenging thing to master, and it’s not just beginners who struggle with it, many who have been playing for years now still don’t fully understand how everything works. “Music is not difficult, it’s just unintuitive” Between the awkward arrangement of notes when compared to a piano, and a few indicators […]
Learn Acoustic Guitar The Caged System
Alternatives to the CAGED System
The CAGED system has been relied upon by guitar teachers and included in teaching resources alike to assist guitar players in their first steps towards understanding and utilizing the entire fretboard. Unfortunately, the layout of the guitar fretboard is not terribly intuitive. So taking advantage of the CAGED system often proves invaluable in terms of […]
What to Learn First on Guitar
While nothing compares to having an experienced guitar teacher guiding you, guitar lessons aren’t convenient for every beginner guitarist. So in the following guide, we’ll be going over what to learn first on guitar, including how to hold a pick, how to tune a guitar, how to learn the notes of the fretboard, along with […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
How to Memorize Guitar Chords
While foundational to the guitar, learning new chords can be difficult to master and commit to memory. In the following article, we’re going to learn how to memorize guitar chords using a combination of repetition and reconsolidation, plus a handy practice tip to ensure you don’t forget the chords you already know while learning new […]
Guitar Scale Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
The Difference Between the Major and Minor Scale for Guitar
Beginning to learn scales on the guitar and wondering what the difference is between major and minor scales, and more importantly, how to use them? In the following article, we’re going to explain how these two foundational scales differ technically, and also how you might use one as opposed to the other. If you don’t […]
The Caged System Learn Acoustic Guitar
CAGED Arpeggios, An Introductory Guide
Learning and practicing arpeggios can help develop dexterity, improve improvisation skills and help with understanding and unlocking the fretboard, in short, arpeggios are hugely useful both musically and in terms of music theory. With this in mind, today, we’re going to take a closer look at CAGED arpeggios. By taking advantage of the CAGED system, […]
The Caged System Learn Acoustic Guitar
Understanding Caged System Scales
This article is part of a longer series on the CAGED system for guitar and focuses solely on CAGED system scales. To get the most from this article, if you haven’t already I’d suggest starting with a general overview of the CAGED system by clicking here. What are CAGED Scales?The CAGED system divides the neck […]
The Caged System Learn Acoustic Guitar
The CAGED System Explained
So, you’ve mastered your basic open chords but are beginning to feel confined to the first four frets of your guitar neck? Wondering how you will ever learn to play chords and licks over the entire fretboard like your favorite guitarists appear to do so effortlessly? Fear not, in the following series of articles we’re […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
How to Play F Major on Guitar [5 Easy Ways]
F Major presents a bit of a headache for beginner guitarists but to progress on the guitar you’ll have to get comfortable playing it. In the following article, we’re going to explain why F Major is such a challenging chord and provide some useful tips for getting better at playing it. But first, we’ll demonstrate […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
The Most Common Guitar Chords
When first learning guitar it’s important to learn and play songs. Scales and exercises that improve dexterity and coordination between your picking and fretting hands definitely have their place, but incorporating real music into your practice routine is essential to assist with your technique, and even more importantly timing. With that in mind, in today’s […]
Songwriting Learn Acoustic Guitar
The Difference Between a Chorus and a Refrain
In a recent article on common song structures, we briefly touched on choruses and refrains. And, while both terms are often used interchangeably, and share some similarities, there are differences, at least based on the evolution of refrains from poetry and screenplay. In today’s article, we’re going to explain these differences, show some examples, and […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
7th Chords [Complete Guide]
When learning guitar, the first chords you are likely to encounter are major and minor triads (3-note chords). But once you have a decent grasp of these introductory chords what chords should you learn next? Usually, the answer is 7th chords. But, what are 7th chords? 7th chords are triads with an additional note added. […]
An Introduction to Guitar Theory
What Is Guitar Theory? At its heart music is the combination of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Music theory is the language used by musicians to understand and communicate these three concepts. Guitar theory is simply music theory applied to the guitar. What does Guitar Theory Include? Melody (the arrangement of single notes), in the context […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
Half Diminished 7th Chords
Ever come across a chord written like this ø7 or perhaps m7b5 or even -7b5 and wondered what it was? It’s a half-diminished 7th chord also known as a minor 7 flat 5. Here’s a quick rundown: Half diminished 7th chords (aka minor 7 flat 5 chords) are minor 7th chords with a flattened 5th […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
Minor 7th Chords
How do you make a minor chord more interesting? By adding a note, and making it into a 7th chord. In today’s article, we’re going to be discussing the magic of minor 7th chords. But, if you are just looking for a quick rundown: Minor 7 chords (min7 or -7) are minor triads with an […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
Major 7th Chords
In today’s article, we’re going to take a closer look at one of the four most common types of 7th chord, the Major 7 chord. But, if you’re just looking for a quick overview: Major 7 chords are Major triads with an added Major 7th interval (11 semitones above the root, or one semitone below […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
What is a Dominant 7th Chord?
Ever tried learning a new song, only to see a 7 written beside a chord that you would otherwise have known how to play? While there are 4 other (common types) of 7th chords, in most cases, the 7 refers to the chord being a dominant 7th chord, also written as dom7. In today’s article, […]
Guitar Chord Theory Learn Acoustic Guitar
What is a Sus Chord? [A Guide To Suspended Chords]
In today’s article, we’re going to discuss sus (aka suspended) chords. If you’re looking for a quick rundown:Sus chords (short for suspended chords) are a type of chord that is neither major nor minor. Sus4 chords include a perfect 4th interval instead of a major or minor 3rd, while Sus2 chords include a perfect 2nd […]
Songwriting Learn Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar Songwriting
Interested in writing your own music? The acoustic guitar is, in my opinion, the premier instrument for writing music. Check out our articles below on songwriting on the acoustic guitar. We’ll be adding more in the not-too-distant future. Why is the Acoustic Guitar so well suited for Songwriting For one, it’s versatile. Writing music on […]
Guitar Theory [Where To Get Started]
Learning guitar theory (music theory for guitar) can be incredibly useful. But, where do you start? Click here to learn the basics of sound, notes, scale and chords and the order to learn them in.