Write Songs on Guitar the Easy Way Songwriting Music Theory

Explore the guitar neck notes to build scales and modes, then apply formulas using tones, semitones, and the interval system to find all chords in a key.

Explore the interval system on the guitar to map distances between notes, build scales and chords, and apply the major scale formula tone, tone, semitone to form triads from C.

Learn to map the C major scale on the guitar using tone and semitone steps, then derive chords from scale notes to form the chord scale for songwriting.

Learn how to build major and minor triads by stacking thirds on guitar, identify root notes, third intervals, perfect fifths, and diminished chords within the chord scale.

Turn triads into full guitar chords by moving movable triad shapes across adjacent strings, using C major, D minor, E minor and beyond to build a harmonized major scale.

Master bar chords by moving major/minor shapes along the fretboard, using root notes on the A and E strings to form C major, E minor, F major, and G major.

Explore locating the c major scale on the guitar, using intervals and notes, then build the c major chord scale by forming chords from each scale note and its modes.

Explore common chord progressions in C major with jam tracks including 1–4–5 (C–F–G), viewable as major or minor forms, and practice open and bar chords, triads, and looped jams.

Explore the C major 1-4-5-4 chord progression on guitar and apply simple music theory to building effective songs.

Explore the A251 progression with barre and open chords for a jazzy sound. Arpeggiate d minor, g major, c major, and a minor over the jam track; riff freely.

Explore the A minor 1-6-3-7 chord progression, mapping a minor to F, C, and G with open and barre chords, plus three jam tracks in C major and A minor.

Practice g major and e minor progressions using the 1-4-5-4 (g-c-d) pattern, with open chords, barre chords, and triads across the neck, then jam along.

Practice the 2-5-1-6 progression in G major: A minor, D major, G major, and E minor, highlighting the Aeolian (natural minor) sixth mode. Use open and bar chords, and jam.

Explore the E minor–D–C–G progression in G major and E minor, map it to scale degrees 1–7, and practice open and barre chords to build a rocky backing track.

Finish the course by exploring chord progressions across keys, including circle of fifths concepts, from D major to C major. Experiment with inversions, power chords, and passing seventh chords.