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 do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website to get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. Discover how to progressively play and sound better—today, in as little as 33 minutes!
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Ep189 How I Prepared for a 40-Song Cover Band Gig
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 b
Aug 6 1 h 15 min
Ep188 The Genius Behind New Kid in Town with Scott Sheriff
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 K
Jun 6 1 h 30 min
Ep187 The Art of Recording Guitar Solos with Jason Wyatt Kuhn
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 Episod
May 24 1 h 45 min
Ep186 Lessons from the Studio with Ryan Jones
In this episode, I sit down with my friend and professional guitarist Ryan Jones.
Ryan shares his journey from Fort Wayne, Indiana to studying music in California, conn
In episode 185 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi Serna answers listener questions and breaks down how 6 chords are built, why the 5th is sometimes omitted, and exa
Apr 3 1 h 02 min
Ep184 Pentatonic Pattern 1 – The Foundation of All Great Guitar Solos
In episode 184 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi Serna breaks down the most important scale shape on the guitar: Pentatonic Pattern 1. This versatile pattern forms
Mar 5 54 min
Ep183 What Is the Pentatonic Scale and Why Every Guitarist Should Master It
The pentatonic scale is one of the most essential tools in a guitarist's toolkit. In this episode, we break down what the pentatonic scale is, why it shows up in so many
Feb 12 49 min
Ep182 From Boston to Belmont – Mike Valeras on Guitar Education and Finding Your Lane
In episode 182 of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, I sit down with Mike Valeras, an adjunct guitar instructor at Belmont University here in Nashville, where he teaches co
Jan 23 1 h 32 min
Ep181 Top Hits of 2025 with Lila
In this episode of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi is joined by his daughter Lila to look back at some of the biggest pop hits of 2025.
Together, they explore why
Jan 3 1 h 28 min
Ep180 Q&A Song Tempos - Warm-Ups - Ear Training - Modes - Chord Extensions & More
In this Q&A episode, Desi answers listener questions on a wide range of guitar topics—including how to choose the right song tempo, whether you need warm-ups, practical e
Nov 28 2025 58 min
Ep179 Fixing the Worst Guitar Solo – Heat of the Moment by Asia (feat. Matt Reviere & Jon "HW" Sullivan)
In this episode, Desi Serna is joined by friends and fellow guitarists Matt Reviere and Jon "HW" Sullivan for a lively discussion about one of the most debated solos of t
Nov 12 2025 1 h 24 min
Ep178 Tribute to Ace Frehley – Favorite Guitar Solos
In episode 178 of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, I pay tribute to Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley with some of my favorite guitar solos he recorded.
Free Video Course
Oct 24 2025 1 h 09 min
Ep177 Man on the Silver Mountain – How Does This Song Work?
In this episode, I break down the 1975 Rainbow classic featuring Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio. I take you through the signature opening riff, the shifting minor
Sep 23 2025 56 min
Ep176 How to Build a Pro Tribute Band- Inside The Heart of Rock and Roll with Roger and Tony Langdon
In episode 176 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk with Roger and Tony Langdon, founders of The Heart of Rock and Roll—America's #1 Huey Lewis tribute band. We div
Jul 15 2025 1 h 28 min
Ep175 Q&A Thumb Chords - Song Memory - Rhythm Tips - and Foo Fighters Fretboard Tricks
In episode 175 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener emails about:
Using your thumb to fret the 6th string in barre chords and possible workarounds How
Jun 17 2025 1 h 00 min
Ep174 Recreating Iconic 80s Tones For Kemper and Helix with Matt Reviere
In episode 174 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I chat with Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere about recreating classic 80s guitar tones for the Kemper Profiling
May 15 2025 1 h 36 min
Ep173 From Demo to Radio - Inside Music Production with Jason Wyatt Kuhn
In episode 173 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I sit down with Nashville music producer Jason Wyatt Kuhn to talk about the art of recording and producing music. Jason
May 2 2025 1 h 21 min
Ep172 Q&A playing style - physical limitations - key changes - bar chord techniques - music theory exercises - slowing down music
In episode 172 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about playing styles, overcoming physical limitations, key changes in songs, barre chord te
Mar 28 2025 1 h 04 min
Ep171 Q&A Practice Plan-Joe-Bonamassa Rhythm-Take On Me Chords-Numbering Modes-G Chord Fingerings-Best Practice Amp
In episode 171 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions on a variety of guitar topics, including:
🎸 Assessing your guitar practice plan
🎸 Joe Bon
Feb 26 2025 1 h 00 min
Ep170 Top Hits of 2024 with Lila
In episode 170 of the Guitar Music Theory audio podcast, I look back at some of the top songs from 2024 with a very special guest, my 12-year-old daughter, Lila!
🎸 What
Jan 12 2025 1 h 28 min
Chart trend
Position in the Music chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#101#200JunJulAugSep
#57
all-time peak
85
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Guitar Music Theory ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 17, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Don’t be scared off by the “music theory” in this podcasts title. Desi covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to all levels of ability. As a beginning guitarist starting later in life I have been filled with self doubt: Am I practicing enough? Too much? What should I be working on? Am I too old to learn? Am I making good progress? Desi has been very helpful in dispelling these self doubts and getting me on a path to achieve my goals. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone who is serious about learning to play the guitar. Check it out!
Bcf06877 · Mar 2025
I have lsitened to all of Desi's podcasts and they are always informative and presented very well. Desi actually gives real information in his podcsts that a guitarists can learn and use. His two books 'Fretboad Theory Vols-1 & 2' are a must for any guitarist willing to learn more about the fretboard.
Klaatu2017 · Jun 2024
I’ve had a private lesson with Desi. I’ve also taken his Improv 101 class (I’ll take it again). Desi gives a working Musicians perspective on all the things we, “guitar engineers”, need to acquire on path to confidence as solid performers. Thanks, Desi!
GByePorkPieHat · May 2024
I’ve played bass and guitar for years and had the major/minor scales and arpeggios memorized up and down the fretboard. But this podcast is what made the pieces suddenly fit. The scales and chords made sense. Things clicked. And options became available that I didn’t know I had. This approach is so helpful. I can’t recommend this podcast enough. Even if you’ve already memorized a bunch of scales and such. Understanding how and why they work is an absolute game changer. Whatever direction you want to go with music on a fretboard, you need this content in your head.
D-Schrag · Aug 2023
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Guitar Music Theory, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
