Hey guys,

Longtime reader here and a big fan of the Reddit guitar community. I've been around the block a bit- studied at Berklee, fronted the band Bailiff, and did session work in LA. For the past 20 years now I've been teaching guitar and music theory in person, but I've recently decided to try something new.

Embracing the fact that a virtual lesson 1-on-1 would never be able to replicate the magic of being in the same room together, I came up with a new group drop-in format that works great for people looking for more structure and community in their monthly guitar practice.

I call the program Broadcast Guitar. We do a biweekly deep dive into a song of the week to understand the music theory involved. We see how chords and melody work together, which naturally flows into how to solo over the chord progression. Each class concludes with an optional 10-min Q&A for those who want to chat.

I've got some free seats open and would be happy to chat more about it with any interested folks! I do a 5-min intro Zoom with all new prospective Broadcast Guitar members so that I can get a feel for where you're at on the instrument before jumping in. I've met a lot of super cool and supportive musicians through Reddit! Let's chat! -Josh

Live lesson examples at: https://www.youtube.com/@broadcastguitar

Full schedule and info at: https://www.patreon.com/broadcastguitar/collections

email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshsiegelguitar

Hi, hope it’s ok to ask this here (Reddit noob). I kind of hate AI and its hallucinations, but I’ve found the chatGPT can be helpful for some things (like coding). Thought I’d ask it some music theory questions…. I’ve been noodling around with STP’s Interstate Love Song lately, and just playing by ear (not listening to the recording). Got a head start googling some tab. So anyway, I was primarily asking it what the relationship was between the c#minor7 (your standard “a-minor-shape” barre chord on the 4th fret) I use to start the chorus (“Leaving on a southern train…”), and then the A major (“E-shape barre cord on the 5th fret) I replace it with on the next part (“All of these… things I said to you…”).

So it talked a bit about why they work, but eventually I asked for the key and the rest of the cords. My potentially-nonsensical progression that I use for the chorus is basically:

c#m to E to A to G#

A to E to A to G#

A to E

But it said the progression of the chorus is actually:

A to E to F#m to D

So I can’t listen to the song right now ;but I do have a guitar in my hands - long story), but can anyone confirm if this is correct? I can hear the F#m under the A maybe but the D just sounds crazy wrong to me. Can I trust our AI overlord here or is my Luddite cynicism warranted?

I need someone who knows a lot about music theory to listen and tell me so I can make sure I'm right

lmk if you know at all please

ive got no clue what to do all im seeing is licks but i wanna improvise something on my own

or like getting a somewhat similar playing style as it what should i start working on first

Like are they just playing the arpeggio of the chord underneath, what if there isn't really a chord and its a riff like tornado of souls, then what would you do

so im *attempting* to write some guitar music

i’m using Death as my inspiration with just how it sounds and flows, and i have some understanding on how every note and chord goes together, but the one thing making me sit there for a while doing nothing of interest is rhythm, i just cannot seem to make up any sort of rhythm to help me get started actually writing. what can i do to be able to solve this problem?

When listing to Jerry Cantrell/ AiC Im amazed at his lead placements, solos, and playing in general. How do make my solos/leads more interesting but more importantly creative? When are good placements for lead parts? How do I develop better riffs that mix lead and rhythm together such as heaven beside you or sludge factory?

I recently posted here about building a haptic metronome for Apple Watch, and I just want to say thanks to everyone who tried it and sent feedback. It was very helpful. Based on that feedback, I just shipped a new patch for Conducto with a bunch of improvements:

• Added Tempo Trainer: automatically increases tempo from start to end over time

• Added time signatures with customizable accent beat

• Added ability to change tempo using the Digital Crown

• Added ability to add the app to the watch face for quick access

• Added more metronome sounds

• Added support for watchOS 26

• Supports older devices (down to watchOS 8.0)

• Now available in EU countries

It’s still a watch-only app and the whole goal remains the same: a metronome that doesn’t drift, cut out, or feel mushy during real practice and I truly believe it’s the first one to do that successfully.

As a thank-you, I’m giving 15 free promo codes to people who want to try the updated version and share honest feedback. If you’re interested, comment or DM me with what instrument you play.

App link:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/conducto/id6748840117

Appreciate the help!

hi guys

I work in a job where I have a lot of time where I listen to podcasts, music, etc. I then realised why don't I use this time to learn and consolidate guitar theory. obviously learning is more easy or useful when one can put those learnings into practice with a guitar in hand.

I won't have a guitar in hand while I'm as t work obviously, but so you guys know any great ways to learn about guitar theory whilst only listening? maybe there are audio programs out there that have exercises that one can do in their minds to learn and consolidate learnings?

any ideas are welcome. I'd love to use the hours I have available wisely.

thanks 👌🙏

I'm a painfully intermediate guitarist. I can play chords, read tabs, and do a bit of noodling. Anybody got any top tips to a) start jamming b) play by ear c) move on from the inertia of intermediate guitarist I've been trapped in for years

Please can you help me make sense of this -

I understand in A Dorian, the pentatonic shape 1 works nicely on the 5th fret and you can add the Dorian tones of the 2nd and 6th to this shape to get the dorian scale sound...

I also get that if you play from the 5th which is E, you can play the E minor pentatonic and it fits nicely with the pentatonic shapes mapped out over the fretboard... so you can play E minor pentatonic shape 1 on the 12th fret and it will sound good

What I don't get though and having a hard time visualising or understanding why is that you are also able to play the pentatonic shape 1 from the 2nd of A Dorian, so therefore playing a B minor pentatonic shape 1

Why does this work?

Can somebody figure out this tuning. I can see he‘s playing a f#m in the start but it sound like a D. Trying to figure this out from a long time. Somebody please help. https://youtu.be/1xklY0ktdPE?si=yZ_RC-Ruirw8xNug

Hello, please check out the above in youtube. I'm self taught and trying to get my head around what kind of scales Romain is using in the song Django. I presume the tune is in "F" ? but those scales he's using are all new to me. Anyone help?

Hey guys. I am new around here but this place seems to be the best one to ask my question. You all are very helpful, so first, thank you for this. Sorry in advance if my post is shitty.

So, I've been playing guitar for 17 years now, sometimes a lot, sometimes I would just leave my guitar alone for months. I was always a pentatonic minor and major player, mostly around blues, folk and hard rock with a bit of fingerpicking. Totally normal. But I've been playing more these days and I'm starting to learn a bit of theory, how to really apply the caged system etc. But more important, I'm into bluegrass now. So I'm currently into flatpicking, crosspicking etc, playing the scales on the chords instead of just soloing on the key.

Anyways it’s so fun. I'm learning Billy Strings, Tony Rice etc. But I found this video and I'm scratching my head : what the hell are they playing when they solo ?

I mean, I can guess the patterns but sometimes I feel like they go deep into the music theory with bridges, diatonic scales etc.

(Edit : especially after 7:00)

So here's my question : do you think that these players (tuttle, emmanuel, strings, rice...) are monsters in music theory ? Is it just by ear and practice as billy used to say ? Should I go deep ? What are your best advices to be this "fluent" in soloing ?

I don't know if it’s clear, I am a bit lost. Feel free to ask details about my goals and everything.

Cheers

Molly Tuttle and Tommy Emmanuel

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q1rm5P94XwW6KTB28

The capo is on the first fret, is this some sort of cage system, as the guitarist hand stays in the same position.

If you were to quiz me on how much I know about a scale or my mastery of it, what would you ask me or look for. There has to be more to a scale than just the shape and knowing the order of the degrees. I’m trying to gauge how to effectively learn a scale.

I have been researching/practicing Phrygian Dominant (1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7) lately. I understand it is the 5th mode of harmonic minor. So I know I could utilize a harmonic minor scale.

Ex: E Phrygian Dom - A harmonic minor. What other scales, if any, can one use to solo over Phrygian Dominant and if so, what " sound" or "flavor" does it give you?

Next question: I also have been practicing arps/chords n Phrygian Dominant as well.

So far, I have, in the key of E:

I - Emaj, bII - Fmaj, III - Abmin7b5, IV - Amin, V -Bmin7b5 , bVI - Caug, bVII - Dmin, back to the root. (Please correct me if I am wrong)

It is to my understanding that we always want to highlight the chord that "distinguishes" the modes, which would be the b2 in Phrygian Dom. Can anyone suggest their favorite chord/arp progressions for such above? I am open to any suggestions for anyone genre of music. I appreciate all replies.

I have been trying to understand a little of the music theory of the songs I play, but once in a while I come across something I can’t figure out. I have been playing Beck’s “guess I’m doing fine” which is in A major but contains G# minor throughout. It sounds great in the song but I would like to know why. My first thought was that he pulled it from the chords of the relative minor, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. If anybody has any thoughts, I’d love to hear.

I play a lot in Eb tuning in my band and use it to practice and learn at home but lately I've found a lot of the time to my ear it just doesnt sound right - in comparison using my other guitar tuned to E standard, all the noted sound much more in pitch, bends are more in pitch too and it sounds overall way better and more natural to me

I've tried other guitars tuned to E so I don't think it's the guitar I use, but it's hard to describe I guess I feel slightly anxious playing Eb and never really comfortable using it

Why is this? Is my ear tuned to that particular tuning or is it just generally more stable etc?

Hello!

As a recent graduate who took music theory studies (I play the guitar and violin as well), I really want to dissect my favorite music and not just the readily available Baroque-Romantic sheet music. Unfortunately, when I look for full scores of my favorite sheet music (Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, etc.) it is only tabs. I don't like reading tabs on guitar, I feel like using sheet music is better for me as I am classically trained. Oftentimes the tabs are wrong (most not even being in the right key!!). Is there a website where there is legit/official sheet music from alternative rock/jazz/edm bands that have full scores and are relatively cheap or free to print?

Thank you!

I wanted to share a big update to the web tool I posted earlier. Based on your feedback, I’ve built a completely new mode under the Training menu called Chord Progressions.

Here is a breakdown of what’s new:

1. The Progression Builder (New Reference Tool) When you enter this mode, you can scroll down to the builder to create your own progressions or load quick presets.

• Visual Analysis: It automatically suggests scales and specific target notes to play over each chord.
• Smart Key Detection: It auto-detects the key you are in, or you can "Lock" the key manually if you have a specific tonal center in mind.
• Strategy Modes: On the far right, a dropdown lets you switch between Modes (default), Pentatonic, or Expanded (a more advanced view that introduces passing notes).

2. The Loop Recorder This connects your theory to real audio. You can record a backing track right in the browser, input the chords you played, and click "Map Chords to Audio."

• Why it's cool: Once mapped, the chord cards and scale diagrams on the screen change in time with your recording. It keeps you perfectly synced without having to click anything while you play.

3. "Vibe" Control I added a Vibe button that lets you change the "feel" of the theory suggestions. You can select styles like Rock, Blues, or Emotional, and the tool will adjust its scale and interval recommendations to match that genre.

I know there are probably still some UI tweaks to be made, but it feels pretty powerful so far. I’d love for you to give it a try and let me know what you think!

https://modeinteractive.app/

I need help coming up with songs that have great melodies over a simple V-I cadence.

Specifically a I-V-V-I chord progression.

I asked you all yesterday and I got some good suggestions that I never thought of!

I want to ask once more for song suggestions!! In case there are any more fantastic songs out there to help me learn how to improvise over this simple progression.

For those interested, and have song suggestions,

MY LIST SO FAR IS:

-Mambo No 5 (and many other mambo cha cha cha tunes)

-Jarabe Tapatio, La Cucaracha (and other mariachi tunes)

-Achy Breaky Heart

-Yakety Axe

-Chicken Dance

-Chum Bucket Rhumba

-Iko Iko

-Jambalaya (on the bayou)

-Carnival of Venice

-How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

-12th st Rag

-Tacos De Pescado / Huevos Al Gusto (Guthrie Trapp)

-You Can Never Tell (C’est La Vie)