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GMC Forum _ THEORY _ Andrew's Theory Lessons

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Mar 30 2007, 03:50 PM

Hello, and welcome to Andrew's Theory Lessons!

Over time I am hoping that this will become a complete theory course that will enable players of all levels to learn all they need to know about theory to support their guitar playing.

If the list of lessons looks a little daunting, here is how I suggest you read them, starting with the simplest first. I have also categorised them in terms of dificulty level. Some lessons are in the planning stages and not yet complete, but I'll list those as well so that you can see what is coming next, and I'll keep this list updated over time.You can click on the titles to go straight to the lesson itself.

If you are more experienced, feel free to dive straight in to the lessons that interest you the most!

I'm also happy to do requests, so if there are any parts of musical theory that interest you and you would like a lesson on, let me know on the main theory board.

Happy theory learning cool.gif

  1. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=7852(Beginner)
  2. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3860 (Beginner)
  3. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4141
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4141
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4363
  4. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3160 (Beginner)
  5. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=20916
  6. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3967 (Beginner)
  7. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5023(Beginner)
  8. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5042 (Beginner)
  9. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5040 (Beginner)
  10. Minor Scales 101 (Beginner)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3009 (Beginner)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5496 (Beginner)
  11. Writing Solos
  12. Intervals, Triads, Chords and Harmonies (Intermediate)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3116
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3285
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3933
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3342
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=6408
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=6772
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=11531
    • Part 8 - Altered Chords
    • Part 9 - Upper Structure & Poly Chords
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=9562
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=15794
  13. Arpeggios 101
  14. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4582
  15. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3630 (Intermediate)
  16. CAGED (Intermediate)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=2944
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=2984
  17. Time 101 (Intermediate)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3204
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3227
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3229
  18. Ear Training (Intermediate)
  19. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3304 (Intermediate)
  20. Breaking out of the boxes (Intermediate)
  21. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3377 (Internediate)
  22. Modes 101 (Advanced)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5012
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3456
    • Part 3 - Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian
    • Part 4 - Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian, Locrian
  23. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=5529(Advanced)
  24. Complex Harmonies (Advanced)
  25. Three notes per String Scales (Advanced)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=16647
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=16648
  26. Exotic Scales (Advanced)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4770
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=8244
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=8245
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4773
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4771
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4774
  27. Theory Features (Advanced)
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=4976
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3736
    • http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=6023
    • Pentatonic Substitution
    • Dorian/Harmonic Minor


Oh - and don't miss Vinod's http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=20222.

Posted by: ibanezkiller Jul 17 2007, 04:47 PM

why are some of them not clickable?

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 17 2007, 05:10 PM

QUOTE (ibanezkiller @ Jul 17 2007, 11:47 AM) *
why are some of them not clickable?


As I said in the post, I haven't written them all yet!

Posted by: ibanezkiller Jul 17 2007, 05:17 PM

ah thanks so much

Posted by: fire Aug 1 2007, 02:12 PM

checked some until now, can only say : great job!

Posted by: megadeth1117 Aug 25 2007, 10:29 AM

hey, i don't mean to rush you seeing you are very busy with the other lessons, but do you have an idea when the "writing solos" part will be finished

thanks in advance smile.gif

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 25 2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks for asking - I'm still thinking about that one so it is unlikely to be the next one or two ...

Posted by: n0x Aug 25 2007, 12:25 PM

ahhh man, wicked stuff andrew! It is 7.30am here, and I told myself that I would sleep around 4, except that I found this section and I have been reading for about 5 hours now biggrin.gif... I do not want to see how my eyes look >_< ;p... Thank you for all your hard work on this, it is extremely beneficial, for all of us. biggrin.gif!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 25 2007, 09:56 PM

QUOTE (n0x @ Aug 25 2007, 07:25 AM) *
ahhh man, wicked stuff andrew! It is 7.30am here, and I told myself that I would sleep around 4, except that I found this section and I have been reading for about 5 hours now biggrin.gif... I do not want to see how my eyes look >_< ;p... Thank you for all your hard work on this, it is extremely beneficial, for all of us. biggrin.gif!


Wow, reading it all at once will make you go blind blink.gif glad you liked it though smile.gif

Posted by: coxy81 Sep 8 2007, 03:18 PM

Well tonights been about 4.5 hours of reading and practice on the scales and modes. The hands are getting sore, but i want to keep going. These theory lessons on scales and modes have been of GREAT help. Thanks Andrew!! biggrin.gif

Posted by: jammer91 Sep 8 2007, 08:05 PM

Just what i was looking for. This should be in the main page...

Thanks big time, now its more organised instead of the old blind fold pick-n-choose

Posted by: JVM Sep 17 2007, 12:42 PM

Andrew, it would be nice if you updated this thread with each new lesson you add. I mean you do it up in the list, but just an edit, and beneath it add what lesson you added on the date. I mean I think I've read all of them but I don't want to miss anything tongue.gif Just a thought.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Sep 17 2007, 03:52 PM

QUOTE (JVM @ Sep 17 2007, 07:42 AM) *
Andrew, it would be nice if you updated this thread with each new lesson you add. I mean you do it up in the list, but just an edit, and beneath it add what lesson you added on the date. I mean I think I've read all of them but I don't want to miss anything tongue.gif Just a thought.


ok - always willing to help avid theory fans smile.gif

Posted by: VinceG Oct 6 2007, 05:20 AM

I thank you Andrew. I have just been recently trying to better my playing by learning theory. I have 4 days of free time every week and this might fill the gap for a while.

Posted by: jammer91 Oct 17 2007, 04:25 AM

Andrew u forgot to add a link to the CAGED lesson

EDIT: Sorry you did, my bad.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Oct 21 2007, 06:09 AM

Just Added a new Guitar Parts Lesson - aimed at beginners, it helps to identify different parts of the guitar and goes over a few common guitars.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 5 2007, 12:28 AM

Just added lessons on the Harmonic and Melodic minor scales

Posted by: Francisca Nov 13 2007, 11:16 PM

thanks so much for putting together these theory lessons Andrew. They're great. I've learned a lot in little time, and with the index it's easy to find what I need. Tops!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 13 2007, 11:20 PM

QUOTE (Francisca @ Nov 13 2007, 05:16 PM) *
thanks so much for putting together these theory lessons Andrew. They're great. I've learned a lot in little time, and with the index it's easy to find what I need. Tops!


Glad you like them Francisca smile.gif

Posted by: fgdvir Nov 19 2007, 11:05 AM

Thank you SOOO much.
I had Problem with the theoty lessons because I know the besics' and I didn't know how to find execly what I wanted, until now!..

thanks

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Nov 30 2007, 10:57 PM

This is awesome. I just found this. Lots of learning ahead for me biggrin.gif

I best get started.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 30 2007, 11:08 PM

Enjoy smile.gif

Posted by: Twibeard Dec 1 2007, 12:15 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Nov 30 2007, 11:08 PM) *
Enjoy smile.gif

28.260 ++ Topic views? that must be a record Andrew biggrin.gif cool...


Edit: the number is still rising

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 1 2007, 02:27 AM

Heh, I never noticed that smile.gif

Posted by: Batista Dec 9 2007, 02:19 AM

Heya Andrew.

Are you on your way on the "Writing Soloes" lesson or are you on your way planing it? Would be really helpfull for me nowadays=)

Cheers,
Batista

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 9 2007, 02:30 AM

QUOTE (Batista @ Dec 8 2007, 08:19 PM) *
Heya Andrew.

Are you on your way on the "Writing Soloes" lesson or are you on your way planing it? Would be really helpfull for me nowadays=)

Cheers,
Batista


Hi Batista - I haven;t written any lessons for a few weeks as I have been moving house. I will be getting back in the saddle shortly though, and will give this one some thought smile.gif

Posted by: Batista Dec 9 2007, 03:48 AM

Ahh okey=) Hope you'll get happy with the new joint then! And thanks for taking my request under consideration. I really appreciate it smile.gif

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 16 2007, 10:16 PM

Just added a lesson on Simple Harmonies, http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=9562.

Posted by: Khaos Keith Dec 17 2007, 06:31 PM

my godi just cant get enough of your theory threads andrew haha. they are written so well and easy to understand, even for me, someone very new to music as far as theory is concerned. I LOVE IT!! and i cant wait for the writing solos section hahah

Posted by: ThatGuy Jan 8 2008, 07:01 AM

You should start on the Breaking Out Of The Boxes.

Posted by: jammer91 Jan 8 2008, 11:14 AM

QUOTE (Khaos Keith @ Dec 17 2007, 09:31 PM) *
my godi just cant get enough of your theory threads andrew haha. they are written so well and easy to understand, even for me, someone very new to music as far as theory is concerned. I LOVE IT!! and i cant wait for the writing solos section hahah


Yes i have to agree. There is only one complaint. I wish i had this lesson in a book. After a day of playing hours of battlefield 2, watching tv, practicing guitar in front of a pc, my eyes sort of get tired and a fell a surging headache. The when i visit the theory lessons i cant really concentrate on whats written.

I know i can start learning theory before the other things i do (or even reduce amount of time wasted), but it would be very convenient to have a theory book. You make things so easy to understand thats why my only theory guru is going to be you Andrew. Why dont you consider publishing a theory book. It would probably be the best theory book there is. Do consider it.

And i too cant wait for a writing solos lesson (really cant wait). Are you going to include how to use licks in different scales (because im a total noob at that, and that is the fundamental of solo writing).

Posted by: Staples Jan 14 2008, 03:02 AM

This alone was worth the subscription fee. Thanks.

Posted by: JackDiddly Jan 16 2008, 03:13 AM

laugh.gif thanks so much for what you have in here! I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now...and thanks to the challenging of a fellow musician I'm broadening my knowledge of theory.

laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Bulletproof Jan 24 2008, 11:14 PM

ohmy.gif ohmy.gif

Andrew!!!! I never thought that I would enjoy Theory as much as I do now...I really how you start off very very simple as it makes it stick so much easier. Only problem I have personally is that I go to University FULL time..and they try to cram ungodly amount of knowledge into me already but any extra..I will be filling up with this....thanks a ton!!

Yours truly

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 25 2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks Bulletproof, JackDiddley and Staples - really glad this is helping you out - be sure to let me know if you have any requests!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 4 2008, 01:13 AM

Added lesson on Suspended and added tone chords :

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=11531

Posted by: glazmusik Feb 17 2008, 09:27 PM

Going over your theory stuff is one of the main things in my daily guitar session. This is such a great section!

The only thing that I wish this site had (but it might already have it and I don't know; if so, just tell me where!) is a complete collection of all the scales in one place. Well, maybe not COMPLETE, because that would be a lot, but maybe just one comprehensive listing of your basic scales, and then the more advanced ones, or just formulas of them, just all in one page. That would be cool.

Besides that, thanks a TON, Andrew!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 18 2008, 03:15 PM

You are welcome !

We don't really have a scales page yet, although there are plenty of good ones around - I use http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/guitar/index_rb.htmlone.

Posted by: glazmusik Feb 18 2008, 07:47 PM

Wow! That is a pretty amazing scales tool! Thanks again!

Posted by: demonmyst Mar 15 2008, 03:14 PM

Andrew, by reading one of these a day, a person can go from knowing nothing to having advanced knowledge in theory...in like a week haha. Thank you. :]

Posted by: -Fox- Mar 30 2008, 02:05 AM

AWESOME gouge! Thanks a lot for the great information! Immensely useful!!!

Posted by: UMPHREAK Apr 8 2008, 05:50 PM

How bout a theory lesson on how to figure out basic arpeggio shapes, no technique but just what notes to hit, I know this would be useful to anyone working on soloing, chord playing, or sweeping.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 8 2008, 06:08 PM

Great idea! I'll add it to the list smile.gif

Posted by: superize Apr 8 2008, 07:09 PM

i was just wondering if you are going to make nr 10 on then list writing solos

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 8 2008, 08:41 PM

One day, when I figure out a good way to do it!

Posted by: superize Apr 9 2008, 01:42 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Apr 8 2008, 09:41 PM) *
One day, when I figure out a good way to do it!


ok......

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 10 2008, 03:51 PM

QUOTE (superize @ Apr 9 2008, 08:42 AM) *
ok......


Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound quite so dismissive - the way this works is that a lot of theory lessons are very cut and dried, and a straight forward presentation of the facts - for instance lessons on scales or chords etc. Others are a lot more subjective and can be things that you personally know how to do but are very hard to explain - like finding the key of a song. Writing solos is definitely in the latter category, and before I approach it I need some ideas on how to present it, which needs a lot of thought.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Apr 10 2008, 04:06 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Apr 10 2008, 03:51 PM) *
Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound quite so dismissive - the way this works is that a lot of theory lessons are very cut and dried, and a straight forward presentation of the facts - for instance lessons on scales or chords etc. Others are a lot more subjective and can be things that you personally know how to do but are very hard to explain - like finding the key of a song. Writing solos is definitely in the latter category, and before I approach it I need some ideas on how to present it, which needs a lot of thought.

A lot of it comes down to genre as well with soloing as every genre has its own soloing style. And you can have solos that follow the vocal line, counterpoint solos and god knows how many other types. Maybe splitting it down into different sections for some of the key genres may help?

Posted by: [email protected] May 20 2008, 09:41 PM

Hey andrew awesome theory lessons, I was wondering if you were planning on doing the Part 3 - Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian any time in the near future biggrin.gif

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 21 2008, 12:52 AM

Hi Chris,

Glad you like the lessons smile.gif I hope to get around to finishing these lessons at some stage, ut Kris is keeping me busy with the Wiki, Copmpetitions, Moderating ... the list goes on! Soon I hope ...

Posted by: PassionPlay May 23 2008, 07:00 PM

Please finish the theory about apreggios soon biggrin.gif !

Posted by: Echegollen Aug 15 2008, 06:13 PM

I have really enjoyed studying all this theory! However, I feel my study isn't complete without the WRITING SOLOS section. Will it come anytime soon???

Thank you!

Posted by: moez507 Sep 10 2008, 05:38 PM

u rock ...ur explanations are just fantastic...loved the way u explained the difference between scales and patterns... smile.gif

Posted by: Sigfridsson Oct 28 2008, 04:01 PM

This is completely amazing!

I have played for quite a long time by now, but I've never learned any theory what so ever apart from some basic chords!
This ultimately caused me to take a quite long break from the guitar playing due to complete lack of progress, I've been on a break for over a year in fact... I've always wanted to learn theory in order to progress as a guitar player but every time I tried learning by myself I just ended up feeling stupid for not understanding any of it.

All this until a couple of weeks ago when I started feeling the urge to play again, and by pure luck I stumbled on to this site and I told myself.. I need to start in the right end this time and try to learn some theory!
First thing I see on the front page was a link to music theory lessons, and I see this..

Words cannot express how happy it made me, reading through the first posts you made on the basic theory and having it all making sense to me!

Thank you Andrew!

Posted by: Ignite Jun 4 2009, 08:25 AM

Andrew,
This has been the greatest tutorial i've ever read! You describe everything so well, it's perfect! I was wondering when you plan on releasing the "Breaking out of the boxes", as that is the only part I need from the Intermediate section (Something I really need to work on too! tongue.gif), I already know modes, so I am already on my way through the advanced section! =) Thanks for your contribution Andrew, we all appreciate it greatly!

Posted by: FilipofCroatia Jun 10 2009, 11:37 PM

Wow - i have only just seen this whole side of the forum - im glad i did

If that Index on page 1 of this thread is all linked to the relevant information then you deserve a massive hand Andrew!

Just what the doc ordered smile.gif

Thanks man

Posted by: am3s22i Feb 7 2012, 04:02 AM

thanks for the lesson sir andrew! smile.gif

Posted by: RocknRoll Ninja Feb 22 2013, 10:14 AM

Thank you Andrew u really made it easy to understand!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 22 2013, 01:19 PM

Thanks guys, glad my work is appreciated smile.gif

Posted by: ruben_mcn Jan 22 2014, 06:45 PM

It would be so AWSOME if somebody finished these theory lessons! I bealive it would help a lot of people smile.gif

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 22 2014, 06:53 PM

QUOTE (ruben_mcn @ Jan 22 2014, 06:45 PM) *
It would be so AWSOME if somebody finished these theory lessons! I bealive it would help a lot of people smile.gif


Check out this theory guide : http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47852
Some of the missing topics are covered there.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 22 2014, 07:01 PM

Thanks for your kind words Ruben - I don't currently have plans to finish the missing articles, but never say never!

Posted by: dreadlocks Jan 23 2014, 01:08 PM

QUOTE (ruben_mcn @ Jan 22 2014, 07:45 PM) *
It would be so AWSOME if somebody finished these theory lessons! I bealive it would help a lot of people smile.gif


+1

But i must say i find the professors theory guide a little easier to understand :3

because of my english :\

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