New Blog

The blog http://guitarmusictheory.blogspot.com has moved to: http://www.guitar-music-theory.com/blog/

No new posts will be added to this old blog. Please start following the new blog. Thanks. -Desi

How to make mode scales

Why do guitarists make mode scales by flatting and sharping the notes? http://on.fb.me/h7N79r

Songs I Recommend Guitar Players Learn

Stairway to Heaven, Tears in Heaven and Under the Bridge among recommended songs to learn. Get GUITAR TAB at: http://on.fb.me/gHiZyT

Ear Training and Guitar Finger Exercises

"What do you think about ear training? Been doing some exercises on a site called good-ear and seem to be improving. Is this a skill that can be developed? How important is it to advance as a musician?"

Any time you listen to music or play guitar your ear benefits. As for exercises that specifically try to train the ear, I'm not sure what I think about them. I've never used them and I think the same is true for all the famous guitar players we know and love.

I think in order to develop as a player you need to spend time... PLAYING! I’ve seen finger exercise devices that are marketed to guitarists and intended to help develop finger strength and dexterity. They certainly do stimulate your finger muscles, but they won't help develop guitar playing because that's something that can only be accomplished with a guitar in hand.




If other types of finger activities could make you a better guitarist, then people who sit down and type for 8 hours a day ought to be able to pick up a guitar and play circles around us. Or the same with people who play Guitar Hero all the time. But we all know that these activities don't replaced actual guitar playing. I think the same is probably true for ear training.

With this said, ear training can be fun and there's no reason to deny yourself the enjoyment. It may help improve you in some ways. And as long as you're getting enough guitar practice time in, spending some time on ear training can't hurt.

Someone recommended the website http://trainer.thetamusic.com to me. Try it out and let me know what you think. I'd like feedback.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/guitarmusictheory
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Podcast: http://bit.ly/ac4cDk

Guitar Solo Contest

I entered a guitar solo contest! You can see and hear my entry at the link below. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miU_9kFobAE


The song is called "Reaching For You" by Christian music artist Lincoln Brewster (who is a phenomenal guitarist). I composed and played my own lead guitar solo over Lincoln's track for this contest.

You can search for and view other entries on YouTube too. Many of them are quite good.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/guitarmusictheory
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Podcast: http://bit.ly/ac4cDk

Fretboard Theory Amazon Kindle

Fretboard Theory is now available for the Amazon Kindle!

http://www.amazon.com/Fretboard-Theory-ebook/dp/B004ASNACS

You can now download my best-selling guitar theory book from Amazon.com and view it on your Amazon Kindle portable reading device. Within minutes you can start learning about scales, chords, progressions, modes and more. The ebook is a complete guitar theory course with tons of references to popular songs.

New Guitar Facebook Page

Hey blog followers!

I have a new Facebook page devoted entirely to guitar lessons and music news. Visit the link below, click on "Like" and stay tuned!

http://www.facebook.com/guitarmusictheory

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/guitarmusictheory
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Podcast: http://bit.ly/ac4cDk