Learning to Play Guitar: Chords, Scales, and Solos

Overview

Course No. 7776

Go from zero to guitar hero in this hands-on introduction to one of the most beautiful and versatile musical instruments. These 24 engaging lessons offer a fun and customizable learning system that will teach you to play the guitar in a surprisingly short time.

Starting with the basics and building one element on another, Dr. McAllister provides a spectrum of core principles and musical material, establishing a solid foundation for playing the guitar and exploring any style. Each lesson consists of five learning modules:

• Technique: Master fundamental skills, from left-hand fingering and shifting to right-hand strumming and fingerpicking.

• Musicianship and Note Reading: Learn to read music, grasp basic music theory, and develop the ability to play by ear.

• Chords: Practice a wide range of chords and study chord theory as the foundation under melodies.

• Scales and Melodic Patterns: Learn essential scales and melodic patterns to play lead guitar lines and improvise.

• Putting it All Together: Apply what you’ve learned in real guitar songs from various musical styles.

Dr. McAllister also takes you on a journey through the history of the guitar, showcasing its greatest players and styles. This course offers an engaging and effective way to master the fundamentals of this universal instrument.

Video Lectures

01: Guitar Basics: Play a Song in 60 Seconds

Discover how to play a simple song on the guitar while learning the parts of the instrument and how to hold it.

Duration: 31 min

02: Tuning Up, Reading Music, and Dexterity

Investigate how to tune your guitar, practice a warmup, and learn note values while working on E and A minor chords.

Duration: 38 min

03: Classical Guitar Position and Posture

Examine body posture and practice warmups while learning fuller G and C major chords.

Duration: 38 min

04: Learning How to Practice the Guitar

Explore strategies for effective practice and learn about shifting hand positions.

Duration: 33 min

05: Playing Fingerstyle Guitar

Understand fingerstyle techniques and practice the basics while learning about open strings.

Duration: 37 min

06: Playing Rhythm Guitar

Discover rhythm guitar techniques and learn to play arpeggios.

Duration: 34 min

07: The Pentatonic Scale

Study the pentatonic scale and practice various left-hand exercises for flexibility.

Duration: 25 min

08: The Blues Scale and Lateral Stretching

Learn about the blues scale and practice lateral stretching exercises for flexibility in your playing.

Duration: 35 min

09: Planting for Control and Accuracy

Delve into tonal beauty while practicing moving between chords and playing a major scale.

Duration: 28 min

10: Guitar Tremolo: Gaining Speed

Explore tremolo technique and practice with a melody while incorporating new chords.

Duration: 30 min

11: Legato and Power Chords

Master legato techniques and learn about power chords essential for rock music.

Duration: 24 min

12: Travis Picking for Folk, Country, and Rock

Study the techniques of Merle Travis and practice fingerpicking with a song.

Duration: 28 min

13: Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Learn how to incorporate hammer-ons and pull-offs and discover dominant seventh chords.

Duration: 33 min

14: Finger Independence and Chord Theory

Understand harmonic tension and resolution while practicing triads and scales.

Duration: 32 min

15: Crosspicking and Bass Lines

Investigate the significance of crosspicking and study new chord patterns.

Duration: 26 min

16: Piano-Style Guitar and Fingernail Care

Learn the differences between finger and nail tones while reviewing major and minor seventh chords.

Duration: 27 min

17: Syncopated Strumming and Movable Scales

Study syncopated rhythms and practice moving scales with a new chord.

Duration: 29 min

18: A New Pentatonic Scale and the Capo

Explore the use of the capo and practice new melodies in various keys.

Duration: 32 min

19: Barre Chords: Movable Chords

Deepen your understanding of barre chords and work on a challenge at the end of the lesson.

Duration: 34 min

20: Flamenco Technique: Rasgueado

Learn the flamenco strumming technique and apply it in performances and practice.

Duration: 30 min

21: Playing with Natural Harmonics

Study natural harmonics and practice pieces using this technique.

Duration: 30 min

22: Jazz Harmony and Dorian Mode

Investigate jazz harmony and learn how to use different modes while practicing jazz ideas.

Duration: 34 min

23: DADGAD Tuning and Lydian Mode

Explore DADGAD tuning and the Lydian mode while practicing a new arrangement.

Duration: 25 min

24: Taking the Guitar to the Next Level

Reflect on your progress and learn how to apply everything you’ve learned to improve further.

Duration: 38 min