As a guitar teacher myself, this is always the number one video I recommend to students when they want to develop their theory. Eric you do a wonderful job of breaking things down in a digestible way. 10/10
I stumbled on Eric’s video this afternoon, I feel like there’s a vast knowledge of learning inside this dudes mind but we just gonna chill and gradually lean things
Dude I think you're my kind of teacher. I've been trying to learn the most basic of basic music theory, as this video shows, and it never clicked until now. This video renewed my excitement to keep playing guitar after kinda getting into a slump. Thank you so much!
I like everything right up to the 9 minute mark when you introduced the D scale and chords. After teaching guitar professionally for 20+ years, I can just imagine the look of puzzlement on my students' faces when they hear me say F# and C#. This is why I always, ALWAYS teach the INTERVALS between the notes starting with the C scale, and with building diatonic triads on every note in that scale. Easy-peasy. And it forms a logical basis for building scales and diatonic chords in every scale further down the line. Having said that, your YT lessons are some of the easiest and most approachable I've experienced to date. It more or less follows my philosophy of teaching guitar, which is "Don't give them a fish (song) - teach them HOW to fish (play)". Marty S is too slow and dumbed down. I don't want to give my students a fish by teaching songs. Rick B is super-smart and WAY too deep for most beginner/intermediate guitar students. I don't want to try and teach my students the art of fly-fishing, either. But I do want them to know which rod and reel to use (guitar), how to rig that rod and reel (strings, pick/pluck, and strum), and show them WHERE to find the fish (choose a song that utilizes the lesson/technique). Once they grasp and can apply that knowledge, they can apply that knowledge and approach learning songs on their own. But I always give them 2 or 3 songs to choose from in applying the technique/lessons. I also keep them in 1st position until they catch on (no fishing pun intended). Thanks!
Been playing live and writing songs and trying to struggle with theory for the last 18 years, I’m 7:30 into this first video and I already learned more than I ever have
He read our minds, Within a year I’m gigging my brother (drummer) never expected that but you’ve helped a lot with theory every little bit helps. I’m aware that I will never know enough.
I learned patterns on guitar for scales/chords etc and then learned theory in a classroom. I think this practice method is exactly what I need to finally put them together on the fretboard. Your advice, "Don't study theory without your instrument," really struck a chord with me. I've been stuck for literally years trying to figure out how to get my brain to switch to theory while I'm actually playing.
I'm a beginner right now, but watching this video clarified so much just in the first few minutes and introduced me to some new things I had no clue about before. I'll definitely be coming back to this video several times!
This is just perfect. After 10 years of aging guitar I sat down a few months ago to learn theory. I have mostly learned the notes and fundamentals like major scale and pentatonic. Definitely feel like I'm in a rut right now though. This helped
Eric, 59 year old new player here 6 months into it and stalled out. Stumbled upon this early this morning (thanks algorithms!) and haven't put the little Gretsch Jim Dandy down since. I've made more progress this afternoon than I have in three months. More please! Sign me up. Your style, presentation, obvious talent and dedication to your craft, along with a great sense of humour have made this fun again, kudos to you for sharing with us and a heartfelt thank you. Now....back to that ever so addictive 1, 5, 6, 4 strummed up tempo! 😎.....
I have Multiple Sclerosis and thought trying an instrument would help with my fine motor skills and dexterity. I honestly am tearing up because your channel is giving me SO much hope that I might actually understand. I can’t thank you enough. You are helping people better their health … thank you.
(i love when you point when you are making a point - i do the same thing in my teaching.) sometimes i wonder what my playing would have been like if i had these videos as teenager when i was first learning how to hammer out power chords and cowboy chords and droning for days.
Huh so this explains why going from an A to an F shaped barre chord (like in Under The Bridge) sounds so nice - It's going from the I to the V in any scale. Thanks Eric! Your series really helps tie the few, random bits and pieces of music theory I've learned together.
Circle of fifths is giving me a headache. Glad I found your channel. I love the "Less is more" way you go about teaching us and the "In tune, in time, good tone and good feel" is now stuck with me. Been playing guitar for 15 years and your content is making me want to get back it with a healthy mindset. ❤🙏🏻
I have been studying fretboard notes and scales and CAGED over the past few months, but I didn’t understand how to make use of them until now. This video pulls it all together and makes it practical. Thank you!
Been playing since I was 8, can read music, played in bands P/T. But Eric you've opened up my eyes!! You make Music Theory very palatable and easy to understand even as a refresher for veteran players and intermediates. Just finished your CAGED Zen course on #TrueFire really good information. Gracias Por Todos / Thanks!!
After 16 years playing and trying to codify my playing from years in the math rock alternate tuning wilderness, I find my ear is always streets ahead of my theory knowledge. I can move between jazzy or complex voicings and hear when I'm meant to go, but there's always a missing piece of chordal knowledge to nail down what I actually want. After this long, fudging it to get a satisfying riff isn't cutting the mustard. Recently I've been trying to play modal passages based on my root chord, trying to consciously know where I am each time and importantly why and how it resolves. Cheers Eric for helping us along the way.
I know this video is 3 years old but i found this, and you literally just now. You’re explaining basic concepts so.. basically and with common sense in a way that is just clicking really well in my head, like you’re answering all the questions I may have from other videos I’ve seen. It’s really helping me to catch up on my theory to transition to blues playing after a lifetime of just playing drop c metal chugs. It’s also really gonna help teaching my daughter guitar so she can learn properly instead of doing what I did Thank you - subscribed from this one video alone
I stumbled upon your channel. This is great! I have been in a rut for years as a part time player just messing around with blues. This is opening my eyes and now I want to go learn these scales a chord progressions. Excellent!
All the way from Sofia, Bulgaria via Austin, TX (20 years) or the other way around :) Mid-life crisis got me hooked on learning guitar at 45. It's been a year of putting together bits and pieces on my own, a bit chaotic - few songs under my belt, some scales, riffs, the usual. I recently started working hard with a teacher on the Modern Method for Guitar and it shot me back to square one after a year of playing 20-30 hours a week. This channel came as a life-saving device as I desperately needed a source for fun guitar goals. I geek out on plenty of what I see as great colleagues of yours Brian / Active Melody, Paul Davis, etc. Stumbled upon your channel through the Strawberry Letter 23 lesson - what a delight!!! I digress, what I am trying to say is that your channel is a marvelous gem of fabulously selected songs. Cave, Waits, Shuggie - I just had to pinch myself to check if I'm all there honestly. And the arrangements and the sound... so tasty :) I wish one day I could afford your lessons (tough on an Eastern European income at the moment). In conclusion, I think your TH-cam lessons would be a wonderful addition to a more serious approach and a way to infuse the weekly playing of scales and learning how to sigh-read with fun jams. Best regards, Nicky aka Uncleboy
I have been struggling with putting a lot of you tube lessons and some theory but have not been able to put it together. THIS is the best lesson that I have ever seen to unlock it all. Great presentation.
It's been many times that I tried to learn some basic theory, since I always felt like the musical equivalent of hearing stories all day, telling them to others and trying to come up with my own ones, but without being able to read or write... But there are so many videos out there, that make it seem like the most complex topic there is, if you listen to some of them, you might aswell start studying higher mathematics; why that is, I don't know. What I do know however, is that I learned and understood a whole lot in this lecture and it was a joy to listen and watch; it didn't feel like almost half an hour, which is a great thing. The only other time, something musical made _click_ like that, made sense for me, was watching Trevor Wong, another great guy, explain some basic concept of chords. So thank you so much! I'm excited to watch the other videos of the playlist, even though I'll have to take it slow so I can take it all in ^^
Too cool you mention Adrian as a valuable channel, as during the last years you and him have been the main "reason" for my guitar progress. Have a nice week-end !
Hey Eric I just wanted to say I found your channel a few days ago. Just listening to your advice and theories I have learned more in these few days than I have in years. It's like light bulb moment after light buld moment! And my playing has changed, like overnight into something completely different. Thanks so much. I'll be sticking around and spreading the word.
One of the best teachers on TH-cam and one of the coolest guys on the planet. I'd watch your videos even if I was trying to learn the violin....which I'm not.
I have literally been watching TH-cam videos trying to learn to be a better guitarist for two years and I just now came across to you. Wow! I learn more in this one video I have half of the thousands of other videos I’ve watched. Bravo yes. I look forward to learning a lot more. Keep doing you! you’re doing it right
One of my first teachers back in the 70's was a smaller guy that had a 'Mustang' before shorter scale and custom instruments were a thing. That looks like real nice one.
Wow, this was an aha moment for me. Knowing the major cord and hitting it off the note s of the fret (which I am currently learning) has opened up the chord progressions.....totally makes sense. And on the plus side, no need to check out circle of fifths...I had a look and scratched my head. I agree, theory that is directly relatable on the fret board is way better. Looks like I'm going to have to watch all your vids from vid #1
Don't think I've been this excited in 56 years... I HAD THE SAME SET UP IN 1965 WITH MY BAND THE GRAVITAITONS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY...loved my Sears amp..thing would blow a gym down for sock hops and proms...the mustang I had was white...Like a dumbarse I got rid of them...I am so thankful for finding this...made an old dude proud and brought back many a good memories...would like to share with my other band members if it's ok on my Facebook Gravitations site......thank. you...awesome sound and play but most of all the visual memories and sound...AWESOME ...
Cool! Feel free to share - I use that old silvertone/mustang combo in quite a few of my vids! The mustang was painted black over the original white when I got in in NJ back in the 90s. And the silvertone my friend Tony got at a music store in Arkansas in the 90s as well - who knows - this might be your stuff!
@@EricHaugenGuitar no..we were mid 60's and crazy stuff was just starting...so for slow numbers we rigged up Black Lights and we painted our big ole Sears boys" "Fluorescent Orange"...at that time ...it was wild..lol..that thing had a reverb to kill and 4-12" Jensen speakers that would knock the gym wall down...oh what a sound....
I love how chilled out you are and relaxed, it’s contagious, in a world where we are all rushing to get better, keeping it calm and patient. Great video , thank Eric 👍👍
This video is coming at the right time for me. I've been playing guitar for 30 years, but almost exclusively asxz a rhythm guitarist. I never bothered learning scales, and was a self-taught player, primarily just learning songs through tablatures. But during the pandemic, I decided to go "back to basics" and learn scales, modes, and theory for lead playing. After a few months of progress, I am loving that I can now actually understand the "why" behind everything. I regret not having done this years ago!
My pleasure Michael! The Silvertone's been sitting at the rehearsal space for the past year or so - since no gigs I thought it'd be nice to bring it back home :-)
Dude you just completely simplified the major scale for me. Thank you so much! Also, love the concept of "if it doesn't benefit your fretboard knowledge directly, don't worry about it". It completely puts my mind at ease about what I don't know and makes me feel like it's okay to not know absolutely eveything theory wise.
This is brilliant. Music theory never clicked with me before I watched it and now I’m excited to go home and pick up my guitar after who knows who long.
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make this video. I havent watched it all yet, but I can already tell this will work for me. Appreciate your work dude
Yay! I'm gonna keep shooting these "theory we actually use" vids :-) I just put up a minor key companion, and will continue to make these, along with my usual content.
Eric: As someone who rather enjoys (but doesn’t readily understand) music theory, let me say your lesson here is the most enjoyable and most sensible I’ve ever heard/read/watched. As for the brain freeze when encountering long and unusually dense sounding chord names, it reminds me of my difficulties sounding out unfamiliar written words in elementary school. Breaking down the word into syllables you grasp it’s root, maybe the prefix or suffix, and it’s phonetic pronunciation. Similarly with chords, there’s the root name, major or minor, maybe a dominant seven or additional note on top, maybe a slash, etc. in other words, the name itself reveals the grammar of its own construction.
You have got the circle of fifths on the guitar. If you fret the F and C on the top two strings, you can go from the F to the C then to G, D, A and E (bottom string) then jump back up to the top E and then down to B you have some of the sequence around the circle. Use these as starting points to play the Major scales and learn the notes that belong in each scale - F has one flat, C is all natural notes, G one sharp, D two sharps etc. That will get you started. When you learn these you will also know the relative minors, (and other modes without realising!). The flat note of F will tell you what the next key is anti-clockwise on the circle, i.e. B flat. Play that major scale and you'll find a second flat, which is E flat, and that's your next key and so on.
You have the most entertaining and most down to earth, concise lessons I've seen anywhere. Can't help but smile immensely while watching :) I love your jokes and charm too especially!
I've just found your chanel thismorming and I've got a good feeling I'll be able to learn what I need to learn from your videos. I came here from your george harrison isn't it a pity video. I've been playing guitar for 13 years and I can play some quite complex songs and I don't consider myself a beginner by any means I would say I play like an expert however I am most definitely a beginner when it comes to the theory side of music and guitars. I can play all these songs and I don't have a clue about any of the theory behind it! Like so many other people, I just know how to play the thing, what sounds right and what dosent, I don't know the names of most chords I just know their shapes etc. The only thing I know is how to play 12 bar blues in any key, 1st 4th and 5th chord and all that stuff. Hopefully I can learn a great deal from your channel regarding theory and stuff!
This is exactly the video I needed right now. I've been looking for beginner theory vids - but I really resonate with your teaching compared to the plethora of guitarists/youtubers out there. Thank you dearly!
Yay! I totally recognize how intimidating theory can be - us teachers love to get carried away and show all the thousands of possibilities. I try to stay on target and keep it as digestible as possible!
This vid is really nice. If you want a deeper dive, I highly recommend checking out the channel Signals Music Studio. Jake Lizzio does a great job of showing how to apply things. He usually takes a concept like "Dorian mode" and then shows how to write a tune using Dorian, illustrating how everything works along the way.
@@crimfan absolutely. Spent a year searching for good teachers on TH-cam. Out of hundreds, only found about a dozen good ones. This channel, Eric's, and Jake's Signals Music are among the Very best! I'm glad you've found them also and are sharing it with others.
"Haugenomics", haha, Jeremy is a genius! Since I started playing the piano over the past year, my eyes were opened to the usefulness of the circle of fifths ("hmmm, how many black keys do I play in a D major scale... 0 in C, 1 in G, so 2 in D!") Victor Wooten also has a great video called "Music theory is simple!" which uses the concept in an interesting way. That said, I agree, listen to Eric regarding its usefulness for the guitar! Gonna recommend this video to people I know that ask me about theory. Take care man! - Chris
I’ve been playing for 28 years or so but I gotta say this is a very useful video for both beginners or garage rockers that never bothered to learn the textbook stuff
Hello Eric, thank you very much for replying to my question. This first video on understanding chord progressions and numbering is fantastic and shows me clearly how little I understand about music theory. lol. Side note, my friend owns a ‘62 surf green mustang and it is an amazing guitar.
This man needs an award of some kind!! Finally someone that is able to put th info together in simple way understand. I've tried undertanding the Circle of 5ths but this is just mich better
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear! It really is true that for roots rock and alt rock we don't need to know as much as the jazz teachers would have you think :-)
This video is incredible! I have been playing for over 10 years, I used to have teachers when I started but then I just went at it on my own. I felt like I had stunted completely until you tied it all together in a way that made sense. Thank you so much Eric!
I almost bought a online guitar lessons guide of 300 dollars. After a trial week I wasn't shure to buy it because the way he explained the major scales, was not clear for me. And suddenly your video pops up! And yes i agree like the most of here! thanks!!!
I've been trying to find a good explanation of where to start with music theory. This video was perfectly coherent and easy to understand. Thank you! I will no doubt be returning to your channel.
Just found your channel today, and after just a few videos I wanna say thanks! The way you break everything down (even though I've seen videos of other people talk about this same stuff) just clicks so much easier then how others have tried to relay the same message! Killer stuff
Thank you for this. I've been playing for half my life but I self taught with tabs and skipped theory completely. My problem with learning it (it's my biggest weakness as a musician) has been finding somewhere to learn that isn't treating me like I know absolutely nothing about the instrument or like they are explaining it to a child. You've done a great job while avoiding that.
Yay! That's what i love to hear! I *think* I have a pretty good idea of who my audience is at this point - discerning folks who can play, have good taste, and want to go a little bit further into actually making music, instead of pickup up new hot licks :-)
This is why I think your channel is the best guitar channel on YT. You know how to break it down in a way that makes sense. I've been playing for almost 20-ish years, I'm alright, I can play Hendrix, SRV, etc mostly without tabs, just by using my ear. I only knew minor pentatonic scale patterns and the rest was a BIG mistery to me, I always wanted to know more but didn't know where to start, there aren't many guitar teachers in the area, so your channel has proven to be kind of a roadmap for me. So I just want to say thanks, keep up the amazing work and please don't let haters ruin it for you, your content is always fresh, cool and positive. (I watched your Vox mini session last night and some people were just rude). Take care!!
Thanks Leandro! Yeah that live event was ROUGH - honestly, it felt like high school all over again. Not cool. I'm sure it was just like 5 teenagers having fun messing with me, but I still had to scroll past those comments to get to the real questions.
I've had to bookmark this. YT, et al has me so farking fractal-minded. Seems this is core though. Once I give up on the fingerstyle lesson I'd paid for elsewhere (I'm haplessly thumb-less), I'll certainly contribute for more accessibility to your lessons. You have a way that is calm, yet relentlessly refreshing. Thanks!
Music theory made understandable! Thank you. Originally came across your channel looking for some help with “Look at Miss Ohio.” I’ve been here ever since. One of the best channels out there.
That's a great channel. I believe he did Siouxsie and the Banshees "Spellbound" - that's a killer song to learn. Getting through without a mistake is *hard*
I am going to learn some theory for the first time. I really like Eric's style. I'd pay for this series of lessons but very grateful its free and that I found Eric on here.
@@EricHaugenGuitar I've been in the 30 cover song phase for too long to admit. It really resonated with me when you said if you only know a little bit more, you will get so much more out of it. Definately watching at 1/2 speed but I would love to learn to put songs together. I appreciate the straight forward hands on lessons, cool gear too.
Amazing Eric. After a few years of "WTF?" You just simply flicked the light switch to "on." Thanks man!! Some folks like to make things sound more complicated than they are. Other folks, like you, say, "Here, look at it this way." 👍
Thank you for this. I have learned to play through 150 songs, but barely know the names of the notes on the stings. I mostly know chord shapes, but I am starting to see how some simple theory starts to make sense. I now have a desire to learn some basic theory, but I really get overwhelmed on where to start and how much time to spend on it. Thanks for this guide. You are a wonderful teacher.
Yeah - the youtube algorithm isn't a guitar teacher! There's so many interesting little concepts to look at that it's too much! Common keys and chord progressions is a great place to hang out in for a while :-)
@@EricHaugenGuitar True, but I would like to thank the TH-cam algorithm for putting this gem of a video into my feed. Will definitely watch this again. Loved the content (and your Mustang). One note, your camera sensor isn't overheating at 30 minutes, it's a programmed in block to avoid paying European taxes. Sucks, doesn't it?
TH-camrs should be taking notes: How to make a video that a thousand others have made, but a thousand times better!
Thanks Nicko!
Thats also Shannon Hoons daughters name. Cool
WITHOUT commercials no less.
thats exactly what i was thinking
Reading this comment was a rollercoaster lmao
You had me at "Theory that's not on my fretboard, I've got no time for"
As a guitar teacher myself, this is always the number one video I recommend to students when they want to develop their theory. Eric you do a wonderful job of breaking things down in a digestible way. 10/10
Thanks my brother!
Thanks
Thanks so much Tony!
This is the first Eric Haugen video that I've seen. Just subscribed cuz THIS VIDEO IS GOLD.
I stumbled on Eric’s video this afternoon, I feel like there’s a vast knowledge of learning inside this dudes mind but we just gonna chill and gradually lean things
Dude I think you're my kind of teacher. I've been trying to learn the most basic of basic music theory, as this video shows, and it never clicked until now. This video renewed my excitement to keep playing guitar after kinda getting into a slump. Thank you so much!
Yay!
I try to keep things as simple as possible!
Stay tuned - I've got another one of these on minor keys coming on friday :-)
@@EricHaugenGuitar Yeah I'm right there with the OP. This... I needed this. Thank you. Also 1 5 6 4 (BEATO)
@@EricHaugenGuitar 搭配拍廣告開門
I like everything right up to the 9 minute mark when you introduced the D scale and chords. After teaching guitar professionally for 20+ years, I can just imagine the look of puzzlement on my students' faces when they hear me say F# and C#. This is why I always, ALWAYS teach the INTERVALS between the notes starting with the C scale, and with building diatonic triads on every note in that scale. Easy-peasy. And it forms a logical basis for building scales and diatonic chords in every scale further down the line. Having said that, your YT lessons are some of the easiest and most approachable I've experienced to date. It more or less follows my philosophy of teaching guitar, which is "Don't give them a fish (song) - teach them HOW to fish (play)". Marty S is too slow and dumbed down. I don't want to give my students a fish by teaching songs. Rick B is super-smart and WAY too deep for most beginner/intermediate guitar students. I don't want to try and teach my students the art of fly-fishing, either. But I do want them to know which rod and reel to use (guitar), how to rig that rod and reel (strings, pick/pluck, and strum), and show them WHERE to find the fish (choose a song that utilizes the lesson/technique). Once they grasp and can apply that knowledge, they can apply that knowledge and approach learning songs on their own. But I always give them 2 or 3 songs to choose from in applying the technique/lessons. I also keep them in 1st position until they catch on (no fishing pun intended). Thanks!
Not only is Eric a fantastic guitarist & teacher but also he's an awesome person. So calm, relaxed & explains things so clearly. Thankyou
Thanks Paul! I try to keep it chill (and informative)!
The pop country improvisation is the best part of this video!! Classic!
Say it's name and take away its mystery love that line. Great Job!
Your tuition and company is always a pleasure. Thanks.
Been playing live and writing songs and trying to struggle with theory for the last 18 years, I’m 7:30 into this first video and I already learned more than I ever have
Been a guitar player for 20 years. I've never seen/heard someone explain theory as well as you did. Incredible video. I learned stuff!
I love that you cut the fat from learning the notes! Makes me less likely to stop learning. And your tone is always so soothing! Must be the Deco ;)
He read our minds, Within a year I’m gigging my brother (drummer) never expected that but you’ve helped a lot with theory every little bit helps. I’m aware that I will never know enough.
I learned patterns on guitar for scales/chords etc and then learned theory in a classroom. I think this practice method is exactly what I need to finally put them together on the fretboard. Your advice, "Don't study theory without your instrument," really struck a chord with me. I've been stuck for literally years trying to figure out how to get my brain to switch to theory while I'm actually playing.
I watched this for 2 minutes and already realized this is the video I’ve been looking 10 years for. Muchos gracias.
I'm a beginner right now, but watching this video clarified so much just in the first few minutes and introduced me to some new things I had no clue about before. I'll definitely be coming back to this video several times!
This is just perfect. After 10 years of aging guitar I sat down a few months ago to learn theory.
I have mostly learned the notes and fundamentals like major scale and pentatonic. Definitely feel like I'm in a rut right now though. This helped
Yay! Common chord progressions and little fills - that's what comes next!
Eric, 59 year old new player here 6 months into it and stalled out. Stumbled upon this early this morning (thanks algorithms!) and haven't put the little Gretsch Jim Dandy down since. I've made more progress this afternoon than I have in three months. More please! Sign me up. Your style, presentation, obvious talent and dedication to your craft, along with a great sense of humour have made this fun again, kudos to you for sharing with us and a heartfelt thank you. Now....back to that ever so addictive 1, 5, 6, 4 strummed up tempo! 😎.....
Yay! It makes me so happy to hear!
To know that clicking on one of my vids energizes and encourages people - so cool!
I have Multiple Sclerosis and thought trying an instrument would help with my fine motor skills and dexterity. I honestly am tearing up because your channel is giving me SO much hope that I might actually understand. I can’t thank you enough. You are helping people better their health … thank you.
That makes me so happy to hear - music is supposed to be magical and fun!
One of my good friends has MS and it's quite the rollercoaster!
(i love when you point when you are making a point - i do the same thing in my teaching.) sometimes i wonder what my playing would have been like if i had these videos as teenager when i was first learning how to hammer out power chords and cowboy chords and droning for days.
Thanks Robert!
I love a well-placed expletive to really drive a point home too :-)
You won me over at "annoying circle of fifths"! Been trying to.wrap my head around that since high school jazz band in the 1980s. Thank you!
Yeah! It's not necessary for rock and blues guitar!
Stay tuned - I have a vid about minor keys coming out friday :-)
Huh so this explains why going from an A to an F shaped barre chord (like in Under The Bridge) sounds so nice - It's going from the I to the V in any scale. Thanks Eric! Your series really helps tie the few, random bits and pieces of music theory I've learned together.
I’ve been trying to find this exact lesson FOREVER. Thank you
Circle of fifths is giving me a headache. Glad I found your channel. I love the "Less is more" way you go about teaching us and the "In tune, in time, good tone and good feel" is now stuck with me. Been playing guitar for 15 years and your content is making me want to get back it with a healthy mindset.
❤🙏🏻
I have been studying fretboard notes and scales and CAGED over the past few months, but I didn’t understand how to make use of them until now. This video pulls it all together and makes it practical. Thank you!
Been playing since I was 8, can read music, played in bands P/T. But Eric you've opened up my eyes!! You make Music Theory very palatable and easy to understand even as a refresher for veteran players and intermediates. Just finished your CAGED Zen course on #TrueFire really good information.
Gracias Por Todos / Thanks!!
After 16 years playing and trying to codify my playing from years in the math rock alternate tuning wilderness, I find my ear is always streets ahead of my theory knowledge. I can move between jazzy or complex voicings and hear when I'm meant to go, but there's always a missing piece of chordal knowledge to nail down what I actually want. After this long, fudging it to get a satisfying riff isn't cutting the mustard. Recently I've been trying to play modal passages based on my root chord, trying to consciously know where I am each time and importantly why and how it resolves.
Cheers Eric for helping us along the way.
Ah yes MODES! Keeping them in context is the main thing! Smart move!
I know this video is 3 years old but i found this, and you literally just now.
You’re explaining basic concepts so.. basically and with common sense in a way that is just clicking really well in my head, like you’re answering all the questions I may have from other videos I’ve seen.
It’s really helping me to catch up on my theory to transition to blues playing after a lifetime of just playing drop c metal chugs.
It’s also really gonna help teaching my daughter guitar so she can learn properly instead of doing what I did
Thank you - subscribed from this one video alone
I stumbled upon your channel. This is great! I have been in a rut for years as a part time player just messing around with blues. This is opening my eyes and now I want to go learn these scales a chord progressions. Excellent!
All the way from Sofia, Bulgaria via Austin, TX (20 years) or the other way around :) Mid-life crisis got me hooked on learning guitar at 45. It's been a year of putting together bits and pieces on my own, a bit chaotic - few songs under my belt, some scales, riffs, the usual. I recently started working hard with a teacher on the Modern Method for Guitar and it shot me back to square one after a year of playing 20-30 hours a week. This channel came as a life-saving device as I desperately needed a source for fun guitar goals.
I geek out on plenty of what I see as great colleagues of yours Brian / Active Melody, Paul Davis, etc. Stumbled upon your channel through the Strawberry Letter 23 lesson - what a delight!!! I digress, what I am trying to say is that your channel is a marvelous gem of fabulously selected songs. Cave, Waits, Shuggie - I just had to pinch myself to check if I'm all there honestly. And the arrangements and the sound... so tasty :) I wish one day I could afford your lessons (tough on an Eastern European income at the moment).
In conclusion, I think your TH-cam lessons would be a wonderful addition to a more serious approach and a way to infuse the weekly playing of scales and learning how to sigh-read with fun jams.
Best regards,
Nicky aka Uncleboy
I have not found anyone that presents musical info for guitar in as approachable a way as you do. Thank you. Old player looking for the goods.
the most engaging and enjoyable teacher I've seen on you. Country and Western take off was hilarious and still learning at same time as laughing
I have been struggling with putting a lot of you tube lessons and some theory but have not been able to put it together. THIS is the best lesson that I have ever seen to unlock it all. Great presentation.
It's been many times that I tried to learn some basic theory, since I always felt like the musical equivalent of hearing stories all day, telling them to others and trying to come up with my own ones, but without being able to read or write...
But there are so many videos out there, that make it seem like the most complex topic there is, if you listen to some of them, you might aswell start studying higher mathematics; why that is, I don't know.
What I do know however, is that I learned and understood a whole lot in this lecture and it was a joy to listen and watch; it didn't feel like almost half an hour, which is a great thing.
The only other time, something musical made _click_ like that, made sense for me, was watching Trevor Wong, another great guy, explain some basic concept of chords.
So thank you so much! I'm excited to watch the other videos of the playlist, even though I'll have to take it slow so I can take it all in ^^
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!
Too cool you mention Adrian as a valuable channel, as during the last years you and him have been the main "reason" for my guitar progress. Have a nice week-end !
Agreed - they make Fridays better.
For me too. And Eric and Adrian are a perfect complement to each other.
The two best youtubers
Adrian's a great guy - we chat back and forth often on instagram :-)
One day we'll do some kind of collab!
Hey Eric I just wanted to say I found your channel a few days ago. Just listening to your advice and theories I have learned more in these few days than I have in years. It's like light bulb moment after light buld moment! And my playing has changed, like overnight into something completely different. Thanks so much. I'll be sticking around and spreading the word.
One of the best teachers on TH-cam and one of the coolest guys on the planet. I'd watch your videos even if I was trying to learn the violin....which I'm not.
Awww shucks man - thanks!
Been watching guitar videos for 15 years now and this is the first one that explained this to me so easily...thanks. Great sounding amp BTW.....
I have literally been watching TH-cam videos trying to learn to be a better guitarist for two years and I just now came across to you. Wow! I learn more in this one video I have half of the thousands of other videos I’ve watched. Bravo yes. I look forward to learning a lot more. Keep doing you! you’re doing it right
One of my first teachers back in the 70's was a smaller guy that had a 'Mustang' before shorter scale and custom instruments were a thing. That looks like real nice one.
Oh man i've never felt like i wanted to buy someone patreon until now. You sir have a new follower!
Thanks Mathias!
Chord progression mystery solved. I’ve been using my ears but now I understand the why. Great video, thanks.
I subscribed the moment you mirrored my hate of the Circle of 5ths.
Thanks for starting the vid off with I got the blues. You’re a man of true class
That progression around 19:30 is a close version of Last Christmas by the man you mentioned earlier 😉
Great video. I don’t know how you’re the first teacher for guitar to recommend only learning the natural notes at first. Such a great point.
Wow, this was an aha moment for me. Knowing the major cord and hitting it off the note s of the fret (which I am currently learning) has opened up the chord progressions.....totally makes sense. And on the plus side, no need to check out circle of fifths...I had a look and scratched my head. I agree, theory that is directly relatable on the fret board is way better. Looks like I'm going to have to watch all your vids from vid #1
Amazing videos !! You are an excellent teacher !! Cheers from South America !!
I really loved your cover of "Erd erd beir kapoctha Bodom pachow" @14:21 - so close to the original.
beer and trucks and girls and suds
mom and dad and jeeeeeeesus
Don't think I've been this excited in 56 years... I HAD THE SAME SET UP IN 1965 WITH MY BAND THE GRAVITAITONS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY...loved my Sears amp..thing would blow a gym down for sock hops and proms...the mustang I had was white...Like a dumbarse I got rid of them...I am so thankful for finding this...made an old dude proud and brought back many a good memories...would like to share with my other band members if it's ok on my Facebook Gravitations site......thank. you...awesome sound and play but most of all the visual memories and sound...AWESOME ...
Cool! Feel free to share - I use that old silvertone/mustang combo in quite a few of my vids!
The mustang was painted black over the original white when I got in in NJ back in the 90s. And the silvertone my friend Tony got at a music store in Arkansas in the 90s as well - who knows - this might be your stuff!
@@EricHaugenGuitar no..we were mid 60's and crazy stuff was just starting...so for slow numbers we rigged up Black Lights and we painted our big ole Sears boys" "Fluorescent Orange"...at that time ...it was wild..lol..that thing had a reverb to kill and 4-12" Jensen speakers that would knock the gym wall down...oh what a sound....
I've been needing this for a long time. I will pay you through Patreon after the holidays are over. Thank you so much
I love how chilled out you are and relaxed, it’s contagious, in a world where we are all rushing to get better, keeping it calm and patient. Great video , thank Eric 👍👍
This video is coming at the right time for me. I've been playing guitar for 30 years, but almost exclusively asxz a rhythm guitarist. I never bothered learning scales, and was a self-taught player, primarily just learning songs through tablatures. But during the pandemic, I decided to go "back to basics" and learn scales, modes, and theory for lead playing. After a few months of progress, I am loving that I can now actually understand the "why" behind everything. I regret not having done this years ago!
Yes! It's never too late!
btw I just posted a minor keys companion to this one over the weekend - the journey continues!
2 Things, Love great guitar players who spend time teaching and glad to see the Silvertone. Thanks for all your help.
My pleasure Michael!
The Silvertone's been sitting at the rehearsal space for the past year or so - since no gigs I thought it'd be nice to bring it back home :-)
Dude you just completely simplified the major scale for me. Thank you so much! Also, love the concept of "if it doesn't benefit your fretboard knowledge directly, don't worry about it". It completely puts my mind at ease about what I don't know and makes me feel like it's okay to not know absolutely eveything theory wise.
Yay!
It’s tricky - there’s some theory we need to know, but a lot we don’t need to bother with!
This is brilliant. Music theory never clicked with me before I watched it and now I’m excited to go home and pick up my guitar after who knows who long.
Congrats on 100k ! I really appreciate your channel and approach!
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make this video. I havent watched it all yet, but I can already tell this will work for me. Appreciate your work dude
so happy I have finally found MY GUITAR TEACHER!!! This guy rocks!
Thanks Sergio!
Dude, I've watched countless videos on music theory and this is the only one that actually made sense to me.
Great stuff man subscribed.
Yay! Welcome!
Most concise simplified theory lesson on TH-cam. Great teacher. SUBCRIBED!
Yay!
I'm gonna keep shooting these "theory we actually use" vids :-)
I just put up a minor key companion, and will continue to make these, along with my usual content.
Eric: As someone who rather enjoys (but doesn’t readily understand) music theory, let me say your lesson here is the most enjoyable and most sensible I’ve ever heard/read/watched. As for the brain freeze when encountering long and unusually dense sounding chord names, it reminds me of my difficulties sounding out unfamiliar written words in elementary school. Breaking down the word into syllables you grasp it’s root, maybe the prefix or suffix, and it’s phonetic pronunciation. Similarly with chords, there’s the root name, major or minor, maybe a dominant seven or additional note on top, maybe a slash, etc. in other words, the name itself reveals the grammar of its own construction.
Hi Ron!
Yeah - strange chord names are exactly like that! The eyes graze right past them, unless we take the time to process :-)
You have got the circle of fifths on the guitar. If you fret the F and C on the top two strings, you can go from the F to the C then to G, D, A and E (bottom string) then jump back up to the top E and then down to B you have some of the sequence around the circle.
Use these as starting points to play the Major scales and learn the notes that belong in each scale - F has one flat, C is all natural notes, G one sharp, D two sharps etc. That will get you started.
When you learn these you will also know the relative minors, (and other modes without realising!).
The flat note of F will tell you what the next key is anti-clockwise on the circle, i.e. B flat. Play that major scale and you'll find a second flat, which is E flat, and that's your next key and so on.
I already know a bunch of theory but you make it fun enough to rewatch the basics. Great video and I love that Mustang!
You have the most entertaining and most down to earth, concise lessons I've seen anywhere. Can't help but smile immensely while watching :)
I love your jokes and charm too especially!
Thanks brother!
one of the best teachers out here 😩🙏
I've just found your chanel thismorming and I've got a good feeling I'll be able to learn what I need to learn from your videos. I came here from your george harrison isn't it a pity video. I've been playing guitar for 13 years and I can play some quite complex songs and I don't consider myself a beginner by any means I would say I play like an expert however I am most definitely a beginner when it comes to the theory side of music and guitars. I can play all these songs and I don't have a clue about any of the theory behind it! Like so many other people, I just know how to play the thing, what sounds right and what dosent, I don't know the names of most chords I just know their shapes etc. The only thing I know is how to play 12 bar blues in any key, 1st 4th and 5th chord and all that stuff. Hopefully I can learn a great deal from your channel regarding theory and stuff!
Eric, I only recently discovered you and my life has been changed for the better! Thanks for doing what you do the way you do it...
Thanks so much, Michael - this makes me so happy to hear!
Once again you have provided a great service to guitar playing folks trying to better understand the instrument. Well done
That is my goal!
I'm from NJ, so I always try to Keep It Simple Stupid :-)
This is exactly the video I needed right now. I've been looking for beginner theory vids - but I really resonate with your teaching compared to the plethora of guitarists/youtubers out there. Thank you dearly!
Yay!
I totally recognize how intimidating theory can be - us teachers love to get carried away and show all the thousands of possibilities. I try to stay on target and keep it as digestible as possible!
This vid is really nice. If you want a deeper dive, I highly recommend checking out the channel Signals Music Studio. Jake Lizzio does a great job of showing how to apply things. He usually takes a concept like "Dorian mode" and then shows how to write a tune using Dorian, illustrating how everything works along the way.
@@crimfan absolutely. Spent a year searching for good teachers on TH-cam. Out of hundreds, only found about a dozen good ones. This channel, Eric's, and Jake's Signals Music are among the Very best! I'm glad you've found them also and are sharing it with others.
I love your background! Makes your video very soothing to watch. Thanks for the infos! Keep on doing vids ☺️
"Haugenomics", haha, Jeremy is a genius!
Since I started playing the piano over the past year, my eyes were opened to the usefulness of the circle of fifths ("hmmm, how many black keys do I play in a D major scale... 0 in C, 1 in G, so 2 in D!") Victor Wooten also has a great video called "Music theory is simple!" which uses the concept in an interesting way.
That said, I agree, listen to Eric regarding its usefulness for the guitar! Gonna recommend this video to people I know that ask me about theory. Take care man! - Chris
Yay! Thanks Chris - spread the word!
I’ve been playing for 28 years or so but I gotta say this is a very useful video for both beginners or garage rockers that never bothered to learn the textbook stuff
Hello Eric, thank you very much for replying to my question. This first video on understanding chord progressions and numbering is fantastic and shows me clearly how little I understand about music theory. lol. Side note, my friend owns a ‘62 surf green mustang and it is an amazing guitar.
This man needs an award of some kind!! Finally someone that is able to put th info together in simple way understand. I've tried undertanding the Circle of 5ths but this is just mich better
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!
It really is true that for roots rock and alt rock we don't need to know as much as the jazz teachers would have you think :-)
man your videos are exellent and inspire me to pick up my guitars and do new things.
I know I am late to the game here but this unlocked the fretboard for me. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.
Yay! That's what I love to hear!
This video is incredible! I have been playing for over 10 years, I used to have teachers when I started but then I just went at it on my own. I felt like I had stunted completely until you tied it all together in a way that made sense. Thank you so much Eric!
Yay! That's what i love to hear!
I almost bought a online guitar lessons guide of 300 dollars. After a trial week I wasn't shure to buy it because the way he explained the major scales, was not clear for me. And suddenly your video pops up! And yes i agree like the most of here! thanks!!!
I've been trying to find a good explanation of where to start with music theory. This video was perfectly coherent and easy to understand. Thank you!
I will no doubt be returning to your channel.
Just found your channel today, and after just a few videos I wanna say thanks! The way you break everything down (even though I've seen videos of other people talk about this same stuff) just clicks so much easier then how others have tried to relay the same message! Killer stuff
Yay! Welcome Draven!
Ahhhhhhh. The mustang flowing through old silver. Superb.
They go so well together! 60 year old rig!
Just made it to the 10 minute mark after two days, had a great AHA moment, thanks Eric!
I’ve been wondering what I need to learn to advance my music theory. This video is a great, simple explanation of what I need to know. Rock on!
Thank you for this. I've been playing for half my life but I self taught with tabs and skipped theory completely. My problem with learning it (it's my biggest weakness as a musician) has been finding somewhere to learn that isn't treating me like I know absolutely nothing about the instrument or like they are explaining it to a child. You've done a great job while avoiding that.
Yay! That's what i love to hear!
I *think* I have a pretty good idea of who my audience is at this point - discerning folks who can play, have good taste, and want to go a little bit further into actually making music, instead of pickup up new hot licks :-)
This is why I think your channel is the best guitar channel on YT. You know how to break it down in a way that makes sense. I've been playing for almost 20-ish years, I'm alright, I can play Hendrix, SRV, etc mostly without tabs, just by using my ear. I only knew minor pentatonic scale patterns and the rest was a BIG mistery to me, I always wanted to know more but didn't know where to start, there aren't many guitar teachers in the area, so your channel has proven to be kind of a roadmap for me. So I just want to say thanks, keep up the amazing work and please don't let haters ruin it for you, your content is always fresh, cool and positive. (I watched your Vox mini session last night and some people were just rude). Take care!!
Thanks Leandro!
Yeah that live event was ROUGH - honestly, it felt like high school all over again. Not cool. I'm sure it was just like 5 teenagers having fun messing with me, but I still had to scroll past those comments to get to the real questions.
I've had to bookmark this. YT, et al has me so farking fractal-minded. Seems this is core though.
Once I give up on the fingerstyle lesson I'd paid for elsewhere (I'm haplessly thumb-less), I'll certainly contribute for more accessibility to your lessons. You have a way that is calm, yet relentlessly refreshing. Thanks!
Music theory made understandable! Thank you. Originally came across your channel looking for some help with “Look at Miss Ohio.” I’ve been here ever since. One of the best channels out there.
Thanks my fellow Eric!
Music theory can get complicated very quickly, but I try to stay in the practical "real life" side of it!
that strategy of knowing that EF and BC are together is such a good way to memorize the fretboard like omg
Good call on Adrian, so lucky to have found his channel months ago when I just started.
Who is the Adrian you guys are referring to?
@@ts78mg His youtube channel is "Anyone Can Play Guitar" Great dude.
Yeah! He's the only other guy on YT that will touch Beefheart and other weird indie stuff!
That's a great channel. I believe he did Siouxsie and the Banshees "Spellbound" - that's a killer song to learn. Getting through without a mistake is *hard*
Thank you for helping,it means a whole lot.You are a really cool guy,man.
Learned so much.. thanks so much! 🤍
I am going to learn some theory for the first time. I really like Eric's style. I'd pay for this series of lessons but very grateful its free and that I found Eric on here.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear!
@@EricHaugenGuitar I've been in the 30 cover song phase for too long to admit. It really resonated with me when you said if you only know a little bit more, you will get so much more out of it. Definately watching at 1/2 speed but I would love to learn to put songs together. I appreciate the straight forward hands on lessons, cool gear too.
I just discovered you tonight and you're already one of my favorites.
Yay! Thanks man!
@@EricHaugenGuitar I have never really got the circle of 5ths either so you're not alone there lol
One of the best guitar channels
Amazing Eric. After a few years of "WTF?" You just simply flicked the light switch to "on." Thanks man!! Some folks like to make things sound more complicated than they are. Other folks, like you, say, "Here, look at it this way." 👍
Thank you for this. I have learned to play through 150 songs, but barely know the names of the notes on the stings. I mostly know chord shapes, but I am starting to see how some simple theory starts to make sense. I now have a desire to learn some basic theory, but I really get overwhelmed on where to start and how much time to spend on it. Thanks for this guide. You are a wonderful teacher.
Yeah - the youtube algorithm isn't a guitar teacher! There's so many interesting little concepts to look at that it's too much!
Common keys and chord progressions is a great place to hang out in for a while :-)
@@EricHaugenGuitar True, but I would like to thank the TH-cam algorithm for putting this gem of a video into my feed. Will definitely watch this again. Loved the content (and your Mustang).
One note, your camera sensor isn't overheating at 30 minutes, it's a programmed in block to avoid paying European taxes. Sucks, doesn't it?