Easy Peasy Guitar Music Theory: For Beginners

By Tiff Bryan

This Book Will Help You Feel More Confident & Complete As a Guitarist.

 

146 Pages Long | Packed Full Of Diagrams, Charts & Tablature | Online Audio Resource Area

 

Do you want to be able to pick up the guitar and play anything you fancy? Are you looking for an easy-to-understand book that walks you through the music theory basics at a steady pace? If so, you've found it! 

 

I won't expect you to know 'xyz' theory already and suddenly throw in a complicated term without explaining it to you. (My guitar students tell me that this is the biggest annoyance that they come across.) 

 

Instead, you're going to learn the absolute basics from the ground up. 

 

• 100% beginner-friendly
• Simple explanations in a warm, friendly tone
• Zero music reading needed
• The basic music theory you need to get by
• Step-by-step practice tips
• Easy to follow exercises
• Exclusive online exercise audio tracks
• Popular song examples (to help you apply the theory)

 

This Book Is For You If:

 

• You want to become a better guitar player so you can have fun when you pick your guitar up - you're doing this for you to enjoy after all!
• You have a sound in your head of what you want to do on guitar, but you don't know how to go about it.
• You're frustrated seeing those silly promises to "Play Guitar Like A Pro In 7 Days", but just want simple, honest guidance.
• You've looked up some music theory but got fed up because it was too complicated (it's like they expect you to know what they're talking about!)
• You want to understand how to come up with your own music.
• You've played the guitar for a bit and could have done with a comprehensive beginner theory book like this when you first started. 

 

What You'll Learn:

 

• Basic Music Theory Terminology (the must-know lingo)
• How to read chord charts, scale diagrams & guitar tablature (vital beginner basics all players should know)
• The difference between a middle 8 and an outro
• Rhythm Explained: What Beats, bars and time signatures are
• Memorise the Fretboard: learn the notes and tricks to unlock the ultimate road map
• Understand Chords: how they are built, what chords sound good together in chord progressions so you can learn songs faster
• Importance of Scales - How they help you build finger strength, control, timing, feel and turbo boost your improvisation skills (Major, minor, pentatonic and blues scales)
• Popular Chord Progressions – learn the most used chord progressions your favourite songs are made from
• Keys Explained - Learn the Circle of Fifths and how it helps you quickly work out key signatures, chord progressions, and scales etc.
• Understand the CAGED System - how it benefits all areas of your guitar playing, and how to apply it.

 

Bonus Downloads

 

"Beginner Guitarist Toolbox" bonus downloads bumper pack. These tools will suit you down to the ground and make your journey on the guitar breezier. Access them in the books' exclusive online resource area.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiff Bryan
• Release date: Jul 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215967157

Book preview

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Introduction: My Promise To You

Hello, fellow guitar player! A huge thank you for choosing Easy Peasy Guitar Music Theory - For Beginners. Do you want to be able to pick up the guitar and play anything you fancy? Are you looking for an easy-to-understand book that walks you through the theory basics at a steady pace? If so, you’ve found it!

Learning to play the guitar can sometimes feel like you’re trying to run a marathon with a pair of flippers on. I aim to help you make impressive progress in a short space of time and become a confident, complete guitarist.

I won’t expect you to know ‘xyz’ theory already and suddenly throw in a complicated term without explaining it to you. (My guitar students tell me this bugs them when they come across this in books and videos.)

Instead, you’re going to learn the absolute basics from the ground up. I’d like to help you fall in love with playing your guitar, for it to bring an enormous smile to your face and give you a real sense of achievement.

Psst...here’s the secret nobody tells you though - learning how to play the guitar properly isn’t just about tons of practice...

It’s about smart practice and having the right attitude. This book will help you get from A to B as easily as possible with that in mind. I also give you practice tips you can put into action straight away. Happy days.

* 100% beginner-friendly

* Simple explanations in a warm, friendly tone

* Zero music reading needed

* The basic music theory you need to get by

* Step-by-step practice tips

* Easy to follow exercises

* Online audio resource area

This Book Is For You If:

You want to become a better guitar player so you can have fun when you pick your guitar up - you’re doing this for you to enjoy after all!

You have a sound in your head of what you want to do on guitar, but you don’t know how to go about it.

You’re frustrated seeing those silly promises to Play Guitar Like A Pro In 7 Days and just want simple, honest guidance.

You’ve looked up some music theory before but got fed up because it was too complicated.

You want to understand how to come up with your own music.

You’ve played the guitar for a while and you could have done with a comprehensive beginner theory book like this when you first started.

Bonus Area:

Before we jump in, I mustn't forget to tell you about the premium Beginner Guitarist Toolbox book bonus downloads. It contains tools that will suit you down to the ground and make your journey on the guitar breezier:

* Essential Beginner Chords Poster - Featuring 35 of the most used chords + bonus Guitar Fretboard Notes Chart (high res).

* Blank Fretboard - handy practice tool for you to print out and write on.

* Blank Tablature Sheets - to quickly create your own TABs hassle-free.

* Blank Practice Planner x 2 - printable weekly and daily guitar practice schedules to make your practice sessions super productive.

Visit the resource area to become a subscriber and download the bonuses at YourGuitarBrain.com.

I’d like to help you find your mojo with your guitar and become the best guitar player you can be. So believe in yourself. The only limits we have are the ones we set ourselves.

You got this superstar!

Tiff.

About The Author

Tiff Bryan is a professional session guitarist, writer, guitar tutor and founder of www.yourguitarbrain.com, the go-to resource for guitar lovers who want to get better at playing the guitar, banish frustrations and find inspiration.

Session Guitarist & Writer

Tiff started her musical journey playing the guitar and writing in a three-piece band with a style defined as rock, funk and alternative rock. From doing the local gig circuit to a long stint in a busy function band, Tiff then became a professional session guitarist and started touring worldwide. She has worked with several top-selling artists, including Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Tricky and Craig David.

Tiff's session musician work has afforded her extensive experience of live performance, touring, TV work and recording studio sessions. As well as being a session player, Tiff is a songwriter and composer for film and various media, such as radio and video games.

Tutor & Blogger

Tiff has been a guitar tutor for over twenty years and has made it her mission to help guitar players improve their guitar playing skills from beginner to advanced. Tiff believes it’s not just about what you practice; it’s how your mindset is when you practice, and she helps her students take a holistic approach to learning.

Tiff teaches her students when you approach every task you do as having the utmost value and believe in yourself, you’ll feel confident, have fun and naturally get better at playing the guitar.

How To Get The Most From This Book

It’s a good idea to start at the beginning of the book and go through it in order so it makes the most sense, but you can also dip in and out of it as you please. This is a book that you won’t use only once; you’ll use it again and again along your guitar journey. Here are six steps to get the most from the book.

1. Read bite-sized chunks daily

Don’t swamp yourself with too much new theory information in one hit. We learn smaller, manageable chunks much better.

2. Set goals

From short-term (learn the notes on the A string), mid-term (learn six scale patterns), to long-term (write my own songs): goals keep you motivated and make it more fun.

3. Plan your practice

Plan out how you’re going to work on the book exercises; otherwise, you’ll go round in circles wasting time. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail, as they say. Jot it down in a practice planner. (Available in the book bonus downloads!)

4. Use practice tools

Use a metronome when playing through the book exercises, a timer to keep track, and a recorder to help you hear/see your progress as the weeks go by.

5. Be kind to yourself

Don’t beat yourself up for finding something tricky. We’ve all been there! Tell yourself often, I’m improving every day.

6. Enjoy the ride

Have goals but take it one day at a time. Live in the present and enjoy yourself; you’ll automatically get better without realising it.

P.S. Be sure to test yourself with the fun end of chapter quizzes. All answers are at the end of the book. Remember, for best results, reread chapters regularly because some information may take longer to sink in. It’s a good idea to retake the quizzes once a month too.

Helpful Icons Used

Did you know we remember visual images better than just words alone? Yes, it’s true - many studies have confirmed that visual cues help you call up and memorise new information better. Because of this, I've included helpful icons throughout this book to help you maximise your learning power:

Pro Tip: When you see this icon, you're about to discover an invaluable tip or piece of advice that'll help you become a better player.

Action Exercise: This icon indicates a practical action exercise for you to get stuck into. Be sure to practice the exercises for the best results regularly.

Practice Tip: This icon points out practice tips. They’ll help you get the most out of your practice sessions and see results faster.

Online Resource: When there are extra resources or audio files to check out, this icon will highlight it for you. Found at: YourGuitarBrain.com.

Remember: This icon puts a spotlight on crucial details you should make a particular effort to remember. Think of these as the chapter key takeaways.

The Journey Begins

So, what is music theory?

Music theory is the universal language of music. It’ll help you see how everything you play on guitar is connected. Chords, melodies, riffs, scales, everything! It’ll give you the tools you need to understand and communicate everything about music to yourself and others.

Whether you’re playing the guitar just for fun or if you’d eventually love to have the courage to play a few songs at an open mic night, learning music theory is your secret weapon.

More than that, it’s your new superpower. It’ll help you feel like you’re improving and you’ll understand what you have to do to get where you want to go. Bliss!

If I had to reduce guitar music theory down to five key areas every guitar player should learn about, they are:

1. Notes on the Fretboard

2. Scales and Intervals

3. Musical Keys

4. Chord Construction

5. Chord Progressions

6. Playing the Guitar: Rhythm | Timing | Dynamics | Feel

Most importantly, you also need to know how to use these elements in your playing so you can continually grow and have a blast playing the guitar. I will explain to you how to do this and more throughout the book. So, let’s dive right in!

Chapter 1: Theory Basics

HOW KNOWING THIS HELPS YOU PLAY BETTER: In this opening chapter, you’re going to get the low down on a few essential music theory terms.

You’ll come across these time and time again when learning to play the guitar, so this know-how will help you avoid confusion down the line.

You’ll understand what other musicians are talking about, so you'll be on the same page instead of feeling out of your depth. I’m also going to show you how to read guitar charts and tablature easily.

Let’s go.

Quick-Fire Theory Terms

Note: Be sure to check out the extended musical terms glossary at the end of the book any time you like.

Music - Music is a pattern of sounds and silence organised using three main elements: melody, harmony, and rhythm. In Western music, all sounds you hear are created from 12 notes (aka pitches) which we arrange into scales.

Western Music - Music that originated in the Western hemisphere, mainly Western Europe and North America. This includes rock, pop, country, funk, jazz, blues and many more musical styles.

Pitch - How high or low the frequency of a note sounds.

Melody - A sequence of single notes from a scale that produces a pleasing tune. A melody on the guitar is picked with a guitar pick (aka plectrum) or the fingers.

Harmony - A combination of musical pitches (notes) from a scale that goes well together. We refer to a chord as ‘harmony’.

Chord - A group of notes taken from a scale (usually three or more) played together that produces a particular sound & mood. The most common chords are major and minor triads.

Chord Progression - A sequence of chords that usually repeats and forms a specific part of an arrangement, such