Music Theory Where Do I Start?

Understanding and unlocking the fretboard comes fast when you apply music theory to the instrument. But there's so much out there that it can be overwhelming.

This is where you start, and everything builds from these two, easy to understand, and easy to map principles.

00:00 Introduction
01:10 Lesson
10:33 Wrap Up

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Thanks for watching!
Chris

[tubetdf]

This lesson is why Chris Sherland is my go-to guy on YouTube. I just wish I had this knowledge 30 years ago! As I've learned, the fretboard is a life-long study, but this video is sure a great place to start. Thanks, Mr. Sherland!

[joycegrove]

My kid just sat through this lesson and understood everything! A testament to your clear and logical teaching style - thank you Chris!

[capbubba]

A great way to look at the major scale, all whole steps except b-c & e-f. Thanks for the lesson 👍👍👍

[speechcaster]

I don't play, I have other gifts. But these clear, impeccably logical instructional sessions allow me to understand and appreciate, at a much deeper level, all my heroes. Many thanks for these fascinating gems. I'm almost tempted to head to the local pawnshop, find an axe, and give it a go.

[joescmoe]

You can't quite understand how important this is until you realize how very useful this theory stuff is. Much like cooking, you may have all the ingredients. But not knowing what order to put them is another story altogether. With practice/study, we can figure it out. Thanks, Chris!

[speechcaster]

Exactly what I was looking for in a beginner's intro video. Best I've seen yet. Clear, logical and fascinating. Many thanks.

[smoothpicker]

Chris has an innate ability to explain things in easy to understand and follow. And he has great demonstrations on the guitar and makes you think about different ways to do things which unlock the fretboard. Thanks chris!!

[timsellsted]

Another good reminder of the core principles!

[jontypiper]

I think one thing that just occurred to me as I've never thought about it like this before is starting with each string open and counting up the frets is you're always going to end up at the same place i.e. the 12th fret. Excellent approach 👍

[kdavis]

I start with Chris Sherland!!! Mahalo!

[AmericanJedi-]

I just started teaching myself to play a little less than a year ago, learned some songs, but when I realized I had no idea why I play them that way, I decided it was time to learn some music theory. My first road block was immediate, and it was "I don't know where to start". Thank you so much for this video. Crazy helpful to me!

[jasonh]

Wow I didn't know where you were going with this but I'm glad I kept watching, awesome info, I want to call it genius. You are the only teacher I totally understand by the end of your videos. ❤

[gavinkeresztyen]

Thank you for your videos, you’re a life saver. I’m mostly self taught with guitar lessons here and there, and I’ve had a lot of gaps in my music theory knowledge over the past year or so. Your channel has really helped me in teaching myself guitar, and now I’ll have some skills to show my new guitar teacher I’m starting up with at the end of this month! Thank you.😄

[TomKaszuba]

Laser focused teaching skills. Absolute go to YouTube channel for learning guitar. Thank you very much Chris.

[stevenrhodes]

Chris is the absolute best. Been following him since he started up his channel and he just gets better and better.

[JoenarPabello]

Tnx sir for your theoretical music theory, you know, watching you every morning while taking my coffee before go to work is my morning habit ..so keep on coming sir !

[davidt]

"Educational Hygiene".. Yeah, Baby!!! Love your content, Chris! Keep Up the Great Work, and have a Great weekend!

[MrMurphyum]

"basic educational hygiene"
I love that! 😊

[marcbe]

@curiousguitarist If I could give a turbo thumbs up, I would. The only part that felt a bit underdeveloped is when you introduce the idea of how many fingers are used per string walking a scale progression. This is something that has puzzled me at first seeing guitarist friends walk scales from the headstock up to the neck. I guess it shows that not being aware of the neck navigation with respect to where notes are is the base problem to this... Thanks

[ClaimingChristianity]

Do you have a recommendation for memorizing fretboard notes and/or notes in each chord (guitar specific of course) like a Quizlet set or ??