Easy Guitar Theory

Skill Building Guitar Course from Marcelo Berestovoy

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Music Theory. The mere mention of it sends guitar players of all levels running the other way! Many times this is due to a preconceived notion that learning theory is next to impossible. However, in this course, Marcelo will streamline music theory specifically to guitar players to help them understand the terminology, mechanics, and mathematics of music theory as it applies to their instrument of choice.

24 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

83% Appoval

95 of 104 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

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Full Course Breakdown

Marcelo will walk us through the fundamentals of music theory as it applies to the guitar. The course will cover ground with whiteboard lessons followed by practical examples of music theory on the guitar to help truly break down the barriers and help get these catered techniques and topics under our fingers.

Begin the Course
1

Introduction to 'Easy Guitar Theory'

Marcelo Berestovoy welcomes us to 'Easy Guitar Theory', and lays out the requirements for this course.

6:47 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Keys with Sharps

Let's kick things off by identifying the purpose and location of the keys with sharps in the Major Scale.

20:06 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

Keys with Flats

Now let's take a look at the other side of the coin and discuss our keys with flats.

16:07 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

Intervals

In this lesson, Marcello will discuss the definition and purpose of intervals.

12:05 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
5

Intervals with Guitar

Here's a practical application of the intervals we covered in the previous lesson.

6:26 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

6

Triads

Triads are at the core of many chords and scales. Here, Marcelo discusses these very important foundational shapes.

11:42 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Triads with Guitar

Here's a practical application of the triads we discussed in the previous lesson.

5:24 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

8

4-Note Chords

One additional note added to our triads brings us to our 4-note chords. In this lesson, Marcello will cover the structure and musical connectivity between various 4-note chords.

13:01 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

4-Note Chords with Guitar

Here's a practical application of the 4-note chords Marcelo highlighted in the previous lesson.

6:36 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

10

Chord Functions with Guitar

In this lesson, Marcelo will cover the functions and relationships between the three main categories of chords: Tonic, Dominant, and Sub-Dominant.

4:32 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Chord Symbol System

In this next lesson, Marcello discusses the Chord Symbol System, which is an elegant system that allows a musician to clearly and concisely describe a chord without the need for a lengthy list of numbers and symbols.

9:11 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

12

Chord Symbols with Guitar

Here's a practical application of the Chord Symbol System that Marcelo covered in the previous lesson.

8:21 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

13

What Key is This In?

The age-old question, "What key is this in?". Here, Marcelo will cover how to go about quickly and easily deciphering the key of a musical piece.

11:13 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

14

Secondary Dominants on Guitar

Secondary Dominant Chords are chords that do not reside within a specified tonality. In this lesson, Marcelo will discuss how these can be used to create tension and resolution or add an unexpected twist in our chord progressions.

4:47 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

Minor Tonalities

Let's move on as Marcelo breaks down the Major Tonality's evil twin, the Minor Tonality.

11:13 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

16

Modulation

Modulation is a useful tools for switching keys on the fly. In this lesson, Marcelo will highlight some efficient ways to incorporate this technique.

4:23 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

17

Extensions

Extensions are useful tools that allow us to break out of the box and add some extended runs to our scaling while technically keeping us within the same scale.

20:03 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

18

Extensions: 9, 11 and 13 on Guitar

The 9, 11, and 13 are all extensions that reside above the 7 of a tonality. Here, Marcelo highlights useful ways to utilize these extensions!

10:53 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

19

Altered Notes

In this lesson, Marcelo takes us beyond our scale extensions into the realm of altered notes.

11:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

20

Altered with Guitar

Here's a practical application of the altered notes that we covered in the previous lesson.

11:09 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

21

Chord Symbols: Add vs. Sus

Here, Marcelo breaks down the differences in chord symbols and mechanics between 'Add' and 'Sus' chords.

7:12 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

22

Add and Sus Chords on Guitar

Now it's time for a practical application of the Add and Sus chording that we learned in the previous lesson.

3:27 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

23

The Modes of the Major Scale

In this next lesson, Marcelo gives us a quick overview of the modes of the Major Scale.

6:46 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

24

Modal Interchange

Congratulations! We've arrived at the final lesson of the course! Modal interchanges can be thought of as a bridge between modes. Here, Marcelo will highlight some useful ways to navigate this technique!

4:47 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

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Marcelo Berestovoy

95
  • Dallas, TX
  • Playing since 1982
  • 198 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
This Latino artist, composer and guitarist, has inspired a new musical trend that he has called “Southern World Music”. This innovative mix of sounds is a blend of the tango from Argentina, flamenco from the south of Spain, and several musical styles from Southern California. Marcelo has done live presentations and recorded with artists like Ricky Martin, Selena, Leon Gieco, Daniela Romo, Sergio Arau and Bebu Silvetti to name a few. In television, he accompanied stars such as Jorge Moreno, Grammy Award winner in 2002 in the “Best New Artist” category. He also composed the song “Gitano Corazon”, recorded by Natalia Oreiro in her album “Tu Veneno”. This album was nominated in the Latino Grammy Award 2001 in the category of “Best Female Pop Album”. He is co-author of the song “One Heart” with Steven Segal, Larry King and Tommy Coster. His musical talent has been shown in movies including “Dirt”, “The Mexican”, “Un Pedazo de Tierra” and “Paulie”. He has participated in television shows, concerts and kick-off parties for movies like “Mission Impossible II” and “The Disapearance of Garcia Lorca”.



Marcelo was born and raised in Argentina. He says he felt a passion for the music since he was about 11 years old when he started to take guitar lessons. His father had a lot of influence in his love for music. Together they used to play the songs that Marcelo wrote. His father always took him to listen to jazz. At this time, listening to jazz gave Marcelo another perspective since he was a rock fanatic. His motivation was first the Beatles and then Charly and Spinetta “the skinny”. Marcelo recalls that by the age of 18, he was playing in different places throughout Buenos Aires, Argentina. He would play four to five nights a week with different groups or to accompany solo singers.

His decision to come to Los Angeles was motivated by his interest in jazz. In 1985, he came to study to GIT and he never returned to Argentina. Marcelo currently lives in Los Angeles, California with his lovely wife and son. He performs live at several local places. In addition to playing the guitar and composing, Marcelo teaches in the “Musicians Institute”, one of the most prestigious in the music world.
Reviews & Feedback 83/100 with 104 ratings
Imagier

Very dense and a little fast but packed with information and things to practice. I would have like a continuation of a second video with testing like the previous ones, but this would have been icing on the cake. I had not considered moving 3rd

bishopbautista

Excellent course thank you!

i11488

Great instructor. Very easy to follow. Excellent direct approach to theory. Love the very dry humor.

gman1970MS

I learned a lot from the basic theory course. I've been playing off/on for about 30 years and felt the course was easy to understand and just challenging enough. Thank you Marcelo!

SteveWongEngle

Love this guy. Wish he could teach me Java.

Ddancers

Show examples so far easy to understand.

lmaness2

Taking theory which has always been opaque to me and making it easy to understand

Daigneau

thanks so much. This is giving me that "ah-ha" moment I've been searching for. Thank you.

gvani

Wow, that makes sense