Learn Substitution Theory & Harmony
Become a Better Guitarist

Today, I gave a guitar lesson to Don in Vallejo California who has been playing guitar for over 35 years. Don loves the blues, rock, jazz and many other styles of music. He wanted to learn how chord patterns and substitution theory works as well as how to solo over a group of chords known as a chord progression.

Don is very frugal and is a member of Barnes and Nobles’ Book Club that gives him a 10 percent discount off any book.  So today, I recommended a book to him, “Theory & Harmony for the Contemporary Musician” by Arnie Berle, that explains guitar theory and gives you written exercises to reinforce the lessons.

While it’s great to study from books and other online materials, it is also very important to have a professional instructor as your mentor to explain the many questions that will arise as you study theory on guitar – which is why I always say – If you want to play like a pro, learn from a pro! This is how basic guitarist becomes a true musician.

The book retails for $17.95 but with Don’s membership it was delivered free of charge for only $11.99. Once you understand the theory from this book, you then need to apply it to your guitar technique and practice sessions.  As follow up, I recommend any book by Frank Gambale for advanced guitarists and beginners.

Guitar Confidence’s professional instructors provide guitar and banjo instruction throughout the East Bay – Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Benicia, Brentwood, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Concord, Clayton, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Fremont, Hayward, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Napa, Newark, Oakland, Orinda, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, Rossmoor, San Leandro, San Pablo, San Ramon, Stockton, Tracy, Vallejo, and Walnut Creek.

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