Essential Music Theory
Please bear with us as we update all the Essential Theory lessons for a better learning experience. Each updated lesson is identified by "ET" in the title.
ET01. C Major Scale
ET02. Major Scale in a Different Key - F Major Scale
ET03. Roman Numerals in Music
ET04. Dorian Scale
ET05. Mixolydian Scale
ET06. Aeolian Scale
ET07. Lydian Scale
ET08. Phrygian Scale
ET09. Locrian Scale
ET10. Major Pentatonic Scale
ET11. Minor Pentatonic Scale
ET12. Major Triads
ET13. Minor Triads
ET14. Diatonic Triads Root Position
ET15. Diatonic Triads 1st Inversion
ET16. Diatonic Triads 2nd Inversion
ET17. Diatonic 7th Chords 5th String Root
ET18. Diatonic 7th Chords 6th String Root
ET19. Diatonic 7th Chords 4th String Root
ET20. Harmonic Minor Scale
ET21. Mixolydian b9 b13 Scale
ET22. Melodic Minor Scale
ET23. Lydian b7 or Mixolydian #11
18. Altered Scale
19. Replaced: See ET21
20. Whole Tone Scale
21. Diminished Scale
22. Diminished 7th Arpeggio
23. Diminished Scale Half-Step Whole Step
24. Diminished Triad
25. Augmented Triads
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ET01 C Major Scale
C Major Scale. Learning the elements of a Major scale, starting with C Major: degree, whole step and half step. Intervals and ear training exercises. Playing the C Major scale in four positions. Guitar: Fender ’65 Mustang. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Lehle P-Split. Fender Pro Reverb Amp...
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ET02 Major Scale in a Different Key - F Major Scale
Major Scale in a Different Key – F Major Scale. Note, degree, whole step and half step. Intervals and ear training exercises. Playing the F Major scale in four positions. Guitar: Gibson ’61 Les Paul SG Standard. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Lehle P-Split. Fender Pro Reverb Amps (2). Prov...
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ET03 Roman Numerals
Roman Numerals. Understanding the Roman Numeral system in music. Basic Blues (One, Four, Five) and One, Six, Two, Five progressions in C Major and G Major. Guitar: Ibanez AZES31. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.046) Strings. Lehle P-Split. Fender Pro Reverb Amps (2). Providence E205TF Cables. Pickboy TF ...
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ET04 Dorian Scale
Learn the Dorian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the C Dorian scale in four positions. Play C Major and C Dorian scales over chord changes. PRS (2018) Silver Sky. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. Providence E205TF Cables. Pickboy TF S...
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ET05 Mixolydian Scale
Learn the Mixolydian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the G Mixolydian scale in four positions. Exercise: play G Mixolydian and C Mixolydian scales over chord changes. Fender Bruno Mars Stratocaster. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. Pr...
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ET06 Aeolian Scale
Learn the Aeolian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the A Aeolian scale in four positions. Listen to the Aeolian sound with Santana chords. Guitar: Gibson ’59 Les Paul Standard (2023), Dirty Lemon finish, Murphy Lab Ultralight Aged. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender P...
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ET07 Lydian Scale
Learn the Lydian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the C Lydian scale in four positions. Listen to the Lydian sound with a rock groove and a pop progression. Guitar: Ibanez AZ2203N. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. Providence E205TF Cab...
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ET08 Phrygian Scale
Learn the Phrygian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the C Phrygian scale in four positions. Listen to the Phrygian sound with soulful and jazzy progressions. Kanji (2023) Gold Hard Tail (Maple/Ash). D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. Pro...
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ET09 Locrian Scale
Learn the Locrian scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the C Locrian scale in four positions. Listen to the Locrian sound with a chord progression. Guitar: Fender (1957) Musicmaster. D’Addario EPN115 (.011-.048) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. Providence E205TF Cabl...
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ET10 Major Pentatonic Scale
Learn the Major Pentatonic scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the C Major Pentatonic scale in four positions. Listen to the Major Pentatonic sound with a chord progression. Guitar: Gibson (1967) ES-335. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Split. P...
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ET11 Minor Pentatonic Scale
Learn the Minor Pentatonic scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn the A Minor Pentatonic scale in four positions. Listen to the Minor Pentatonic sound with a chord progression. Guitar: Ibanez AZES31 in Vermilion. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2). Lehle P-Sp...
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ET12 Major Triads
Learn Major triads with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn C Major triads vertically and horizontally. Play the same inversion on different string sets. Focus on ear training to learn the fretboard. Guitar: PRS Silver Sky in Roxy Pink. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. Providence E...
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ET13 Minor Triads
Learn minor triads with the one-string, one-finger method. Learn C minor triads vertically and horizontally. Play the same inversion on different string sets. Combine Major and minor triads to play the chord progression of a popular tune. Guitar: Fender (1992) SRV Stratocaster. D’Addario EXL110 (...
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ET14 Diatonic Triads Root Position
Learn these Root-Position Triads in the Keys of C, Bb and F on String Sets 5-4-3, 4-3-2 and 3-2-1. Learn how to combine Diatonic Triads with Dorian and Mixolydian scales when soloing. Guitar: Gibson ’56 Les Paul Gold Top (2022). D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Le...
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ET15 Diatonic Triads 1st Inversion
Learn these First-Inversion Triads in the Keys of F, D and Bb on String Sets 3-2-1, 4-3-2 and 5-4-3. Learn to explore melodies with these triads as the foundation. Guitar: Ibanez AZES31 Ivory. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. Providence E205TF Cable...
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ET16 Diatonic Triads 2nd Inversion
Learn these Second-Inversion Triads in the keys of D, Bb and F on String Sets 3-2-1, 4-3-2 and 5-4-3. Explore the possibilities for songwriting! Guitar: Kanji (2014) Strat. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. Providence E205TF Cables. Pickboy TF Signat...
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ET17 Diatonic 7th Chords 5th String Root
Diatonic 7th Chords 5th String Root. Learn these Drop 2 Chords on Strings 5 4 3 2 in the Keys of C and Bb. Learn a progression using these chords and listen to a soloing demo. Guitar: Fender Juanes Stratocaster. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. Prov...
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ET18 Diatonic 7th Chords 6th String Root
Diatonic 7th Chords 6th String Root. Learn these chords on Strings 6 4 3 2 in the Keys of F and G. Explore the most useful diatonic chords and other chords on this string set. Guitar: Epiphone YUNGBLUD SG Junior. D’Addario EPN110 (.010-.045) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. Pro...
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ET19 Diatonic 7th Chords 4th String Root
Diatonic 7th Chords 4th String Root. Learn these Drop 2 Chords on Strings 4 3 2 1 in the Keys of F and Eb. Play the same chord on different string sets. Guitar: Ibanez AZ 2204N. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pro Reverb (2) Amps. Lehle P-Split. One Control Beth Reverb. Providence E2...
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ET20 Harmonic Minor Scale
Learn the Harmonic minor scale with the one-string, one-finger method. Improvise over a minor chord progression by combining the Harmonic minor scale, triads, 7th chord arpeggios and more! Learn the C Harmonic minor scale in four positions on different string sets. Guitar: PRS Silver Sky. D’Addar...
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ET21 Mixolydian b9 b13
Learn the Mixolydian b9 b13 scale, also known as the Phrygian Dominant scale, with the one-string, one-finger method, and in four positions on different string sets. Learn to combine this scale with arpeggios and other elements for melodic soloing. Guitar: Fender (1956) Duo Sonic. D’Addario ECG24...
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ET22 Melodic Minor Scale
Learn the Melodic Minor Scale, also known as Jazz Minor, with the one-string, one-finger method, and in four positions on different string sets. Learn to improvise by combining this scale with diatonic triads, the minor pentatonic scale, chord tones and more! Guitar: Gibson Custom Shop ’58 Mahoga...
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ET23 Lydian b7 or Mixolydian #11 Scale
Learn this scale with the one-string, one-finger method, and in four positions on different string sets. Learn the relationship between the Melodic minor and Lydian b7 scales. Improvise with the distinctive sound of Lydian b7. Guitar: Ibanez AZES40. D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) Strings. Fender Pr...
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Theory 18 Altered Scale
Altered Scale, also known as Super Locrian, the 7th mode of the melodic minor scale: learn this scale by degree, and its sound and feel over chord changes. Guitar: Kanji TF Signature. Lehle P-Split High-Impedance Signal Splitter. Fender Pro Reverb Amps (2). D’Addario Strings. Pickboy 1 mm TF Sign...