Course Title: Mastering Music Theory for Guitarists

Overview:

This comprehensive 8 week course is designed to provide guitarists with a solid foundation in music theory, empowering them to understand and apply fundamental concepts to enhance their playing skills. From mapping out the fretboard to exploring complex chord progressions and rhythmic variety, each section is crafted to deepen your understanding of music theory and its practical applications on the guitar.

Course Sections:

• Mapping out the Fretboard:

• Understanding the layout of the guitar neck

• Identifying notes on each string

• Visualizing intervals and patterns

• Learn Major and Minor Scales:

• Construction of major and minor scales

• Scale patterns across the fretboard

• Connecting scales to chords and melodies

• Learn Modes:

• Unpacking the modes of the major scale

• Modal patterns and applications

• Modal interchange and experimentation

• Chord Construction:

• Building triads and seventh chords

• Inversions and voicings

• Practical application in songwriting and improvisation

• Chord Scales:

• Connecting chords within a scale

• Harmonizing scales with chords

• Expanding chord vocabulary

• Chord Progressions:

• Analyzing common progressions

• Creating and understanding tension and resolution

• Incorporating dynamics into progressions

• Secondary Dominants:

• Introduction to secondary dominants

• Resolving to non-diatonic chords

• Creating excitement and movement in progressions

• Top Down vs. Bottom Up Harmonization:

• Exploring different approaches to harmonization

• Building chords from melody (bottom-up)

• Creating melody from chords (top-down)

• Chord Substitution:

• Understanding chord substitutions

• Enhancing chord progressions with substitutions

• Creative exploration of chordal possibilities

• Rhythmic Variety:

• Time divisions and rhythmic patterns

• Syncopation and off-beat accents

• Applying varied rhythms to chord progressions and solos

• Time Signatures:

• Understanding different time signatures

• Changing time signatures within a piece

• Adapting rhythm and feel to diverse time signatures

Course Format:

• Each lesson consists of video recaps, practical exercises, and a PDF of the lesson topics.

• Quizzes and assignments to reinforce learning.

• Q&A sessions for student clarification and interaction.

Outcome:

Upon completng this course, guitarists will comprehensively understand music theory and its direct application to the guitar. This knowledge will empower them to navigate the fretboard, create intricate chord progressions, dig deeper into msic theory and infuse rhythmic variety into their playing, ultimately enhancing their overall musicality and versatility as guitarists.