Practical Theory for Working Musicians
Music Theory Online Intensive
"This course has ignited in me a new passion for music theory—I had always found theory confusing and intimidating in the past... "
Learn more about this Live Online Course with Steve Briggs in this Facebook Live Info Session (approx. 22 minutes) or click here for FAQs.
Have questions? Want to Register?
I'm in a 4-piece contemporary rock band with a drummer, a bassist and a singer-songwriter in which I have great creative latitude to morph his songs.
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Just about every one of the 30 original tunes has an idea or principle that I've learned from you - eg. Today I've put the Dorion pentatonic scale to good use in a up-beat, slightly bluesy 12-bar that has transformed its vibe very nicely.
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So - thanks for all you've done - the journey is tremendous.
- Paul G.
Feedback from Steve's Student
Practical Theory for Working Musicians
Lesson Plan
Lesson 1: Introducing the Course: What to expect
Lesson 2: Intro to Major and Minor Triads
Lesson 3: Intro to Chord Progressions
Lesson 4: Intro to Chart Writing Pt. 1
Lesson 5: The Pentatonic Scale
Lesson 6: Chart Writing Pt. 2
Lesson 7: Chart Writing Pt. 3 & Intro to the Harmonized Mixolydian Scale
Lesson 9: Modulations and the Circle of 5ths
Lesson 8: Intro to Colour Chords
Lesson 10: Modulations Pt. 2 & Transpositions
Lesson 11: The Dorian Scale & Intro to Modes
Lesson 12: The Four Types of Triads, Inversions and Slash Chords
Lesson 13: Four-note Chord Voicings & Extended Chords Explained
Lesson 14: Harmonizing with Major and Minor Pentatonic
Lesson 15: Compound Thirds
Lesson 16: Borrowed Chords & Non-Diatonic Chords
Lesson 17: Secondary and Primary Dominant 7th Chords Pt. 1
Lesson 18: Dominant Chords Pt. 2 Ascending and Descending Lines
Pre-requisites
- A guitar, and a desire to learn
- Basic finger dexterity (be able to move from chord to chord)
- Knowledge of the basic open chords
- No prior theory knowledge necessary
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A plus, but not essential:
- Knowledge of barre chords
- Knowledge of the notes found on the fretboard