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Artwork for Guitar Music Theory

Guitar Music Theory

Desi Serna
Music Theory
Improvisation
Christmas Music
Guns N' Roses
Guitar Solos
Slash
Huey Lewis and the News
Guitar
Steve Howe
Pentatonic Scale
Sweet Child O' Mine
Lead Guitar Unlocked
Eagles
Music Composition
D-Mixolydian Mode
Matt Reviere
Fretboard Theory
Nat King Cole
Mel Torme
Bob Wells

This podcast features free audio guitar lessons taught by Desi Serna, author of Fretboard Theory and Guitar Theory For Dummies. Learn how scales, chords, progressions, modes, and more get applied to the fretboard and familiar songs. Hear how to best get your playing skills in order. Begin to improvise and compose. Understand why your favorite songs sound so good. ➝ What do you specifically need to... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes191Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Guitar Music Theory

Latest Episodes

In episode 190 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I share an update on my Fretboard Theory books, including the newly redesigned covers and updated Amazon listings. I also look back at how the books got started, how they developed over the years, an... more

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a recent performance with Nashville-based cover band Party of 5. I share how I prepared for a 40-song setlist, what the band expected from me, how I organized and learned the music, the guitar gear and... more

In this episode of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, Carrie Underwood keyboardist Scott Sheriff returns to help me break down one of the Eagles' most beloved songs, "New Kid in Town."

Together, we explore the key, chord changes, harmony, tones, and ... more

Episode 187 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast features the return of Nashville music producer Jason Wyatt Kuhn from We The People Music.

Jason first appeared on Episode 173, "From Demo to Radio – Inside Music Production," where we discussed songwr... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Scott Sheriff
Keyboardist; frequent guest on the podcast
Nashville musician; Eagle Maniacs member
Episode: Ep188 The Genius Behind New Kid in Town with Scott Sheriff
Jason Wyatt Kuhn
Nashville music producer, founder of We The People Music
We The People Music
Episode: Ep187 The Art of Recording Guitar Solos with Jason Wyatt Kuhn
Ryan Jones
Guitarist with Nashville studio and touring background; former Tommy Walker collaborator
Sweetwater (current)
Episode: Ep186 Lessons from the Studio with Ryan Jones
Mike Valeras
Adjunct guitar instructor at Belmont University and guitar educator, focusing on commercial music and improvisation
Belmont University
Episode: Ep182 From Boston to Belmont – Mike Valeras on Guitar Education and Finding Your Lane
Matt Reviere
Guitarist for Carrie Underwood and a tone wizard with Tone Junkie
Tone Junkie
Episode: Ep174 Recreating Iconic 80s Tones For Kemper and Helix with Matt Reviere

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Top notch!

    This is a great podcast for learning guitar and theory! Keep up the great work!

    Audible
    5
    Matt Bottcher
    United States2 months ago
  • I always feel good while listening to Desi Serna's guitar 🎸 lessons podcast. Music 🎶 is a wonderful gift to have & having a teacher to explain guitar is invaluable ❤️

    Podcast Addict
    5
    conwaycreator
    10 months ago
  • Re: Ace Frehley “Tribute”

    First of all, I love this podcast. Desi knows his stuff and knows how to teach, he is an incredible teacher and great player!

    This one star is related specifically to the episode called “tribute” to Ace Frehley former original member of Kiss who sadly passed recently.

    I felt uneasy and stopped listening around 22 minutes. I just think that technique and “amazing polished chops” are really incredible but why keep putting down the playing of someone very successful in what they did AND specially... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BoizimDiXuxu
    Australiaa year ago
  • Great stuff here

    Wish I had found this podcast years ago, it’s a goldmine. Not just dry theory, lots of real song examples to back it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dgmoss5
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best Guitar Teaching

    If you want to really learn guitar, you have to learn the theory. Desi’s books and podcast are such a great help and journey through mastering your playing and understanding of how it all works. Highly recommend for all players.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gbelker
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans value the depth of content across topics from pentatonic patterns to studio workflows, and some note positive impact on confidence and practice discipline.
Listeners praise the host as knowledgeable and clear in teaching, with practical, real-world guitar applications.
Many appreciate the approachable delivery and actionable tips for improvisation and theory integration.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#134
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#85
Israel/Music
Apple Podcasts
#93
Denmark/Music
Apple Podcasts
#205
New Zealand/Music
Apple Podcasts
#210
Sweden/Music
Apple Podcasts
#235
Norway/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep190 Q&A New Fretboard Theory Covers Pentatonic Scales Calluses & Picking
Q: What other scales can be used over the E major progression besides E major pentatonic?
In addition to E major pentatonic, you can use the full E major scale or even think in related modes, but the emphasis is on staying within the parent scale and understanding how pentatonic shapes map to chord tones.
Ep190 Q&A New Fretboard Theory Covers Pentatonic Scales Calluses & Picking
Q: How can a player maintain calluses with a busy schedule?
The advice is practical: expose fingertips to friction by playing even briefly each day, such as five minutes in the morning and again at night, to gradually maintain calluses rather than letting them fade between longer breaks.
Ep190 Q&A New Fretboard Theory Covers Pentatonic Scales Calluses & Picking
Q: What about fingerings for pentatonic patterns when playing over a progression in E major?
He explains that while fingerings can vary, the musical outcome matters most; use patterns that feel comfortable and musically effective, and remember many approaches converge on using the E major scale or its pentatonic subset over the progression.
Ep190 Q&A New Fretboard Theory Covers Pentatonic Scales Calluses & Picking
Q: Should Jeff ditch finger picking and switch to a regular pick for pentatonic work?
Desi suggests trying the pick if the player's goal is to play in styles that commonly use a pick, but emphasizes flexibility: if fingerpicking still translates to riffs and solos reliably, keep it; if not, adopting a pick may help develop technique more quickly.
Ep187 The Art of Recording Guitar Solos with Jason Wyatt Kuhn
Q: How did you approach the Mixolydian mode in Pretty Little Thing?
Desi walked through using the A Mixolydian color (centered on A with a G natural) derived from the D major parent scale, explaining how renumbering helps align the solo with the tonal center and chord changes, and how he chose melodic lines to emphasize chord tones.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Music Theory

What is Guitar Music Theory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on practical music theory for guitar, emphasizing fretboard understanding, scales, chords, modes, and how to apply theory to real songs. Episodes frequently mix technique with musical context—covering topics like pentatonic patterns, improvisation, song analysis, gear choices, and studio/workflow insights—along with Q&A and actionable practice strategies. A standout element is the host's clear, beginner-friendly teaching style, which blends theory with song-oriented examples and hands-on demonstrations, making even complex concepts approachable for self-directed learners and working players alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to Guitar Music Theory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Guitar Music Theory:

1. Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone
2. Know Your Gear Podcast
3. Play Guitar Podcast
4. No Cover Charge Podcast
5. The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

How many episodes of Guitar Music Theory are there?

Guitar Music Theory launched 19 years ago and published 191 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Guitar Music Theory?

Recent guests on Guitar Music Theory include:

1. Scott Sheriff
2. Jason Wyatt Kuhn
3. Ryan Jones
4. Mike Valeras
5. Matt Reviere

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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