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No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists: Master the Essential Knowledge all Guitarists Need to Know

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Boost your ability and confidence as a guitar player by quickly and easily unlocking Essential Music Theory. No confusing words and no music reading required! (Includes free downloadable audio)
In 12 bitesize chapters you'll learn about intervals, triads, major and minor keys, chord sequences - and understand how to apply them to your playing, improvising or songwriting.

I'll use diagrams and simple, non-intimidating language to teach you in minutes, things which confuse some guitar players for years.

This book is for you if:
Not understanding music theory is holding up your progress, affecting your confidence as a musician and stopping you from becoming the guitar player you want to be
You're a singer songwriter who needs to learn about chords, keys and chord progressions in order to write great songs (like you hear on recordings!)
You want to learn music theory but don't know where to start
You're a student who needs a crash course in music theory essentials to prepare for college auditions, entrance exams etc
You're a beginner who wants to easily learn how music works as you take your first steps in learning to play guitar so you can avoid confusion, improve faster and learn more easily
You feel confused and intimidated by the 'jargon' you hear other musicians or YouTube teachers use
You 'kind of' understand theory... but you're not really sure how well!

What will this book teach you about?
In the 12 lessons you'll find super clear explanations, practical examples and quiz questions on:

The Musical Alphabet (the only 12 notes used in all music!)
Tones and Semitones
The Major Scale (learn what it actually is...)
Major and Minor Triads (as used in most pop, country, rock and folk music)
Major Scale Intervals (major 3rds, perfect 4ths...what are they?)
Chromatic Intervals (discover what weird names like diminished and augmented really mean)
Major Keys (Parts 1 & 2)
Chord Progressions (start writing pro sounding chord sequences and songs of your own)
Pentatonic Scales (the most common guitar scales ever...)
The Natural Minor Scale (essential for minor key soloing in rock, pop and other styles)
Minor Key Basics (learn the secrets of awesome minor key songs and chord sequences)

How will you learn and remember all this? Easy!

Each chapter introduces a new element of guitar theory. You get a clear but detailed explanation of the concept and multiple examples/practical exercises, FAQs and more to drive your understanding home.

Test yourself using the quiz questions at the end of each chapter (answers supplied).

To help you play certain practical examples there is also an appendix of common open chord shapes and barre chords at the back of the book.

Plus, every chapter is also available to you (free) as an audio file so you can immerse yourself in guitar theory whilst at the gym or walking the dog! You'll find details for these in the book.

You Can Do This ... and without all the bull!

'No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists' will make your journey as a guitarist much more enjoyable and way less confusing than mine has been! As a self-taught 18 year old guitarist, it literally took me years to figure this stuff out.

I've taught the material in this book to thousands of musicians around the world both in person and via my website, and I can tell you this: Learning about music theory doesn't need to be scary, confusing, difficult or something that you avoid doing because you don't know where to start.

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It's time to become the guitar player you know

107 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2019

182 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

James Shipway

3 books2 followers

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5 stars
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3 stars
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
2 reviews
July 14, 2020
No nonsense

As a beginner I learn far better if I understand why I'm learning rather than rote memorization. This book got me started on the right track and was fairly easy to digest. I strongly recommend reading and understanding the concepts in this book before or when starting guitar lessons. I feel it will help prevent me from giving up and quitting out of frustration.
1 review1 follower
April 27, 2023
Connects the dots

I've played the guitar for many years and understood many of the concepts presented by this book, but only in pieces with many gaps. The book really ties the theory together in a concise way that makes learning the missing parts enjoyable. You won't regret reading and studying this material.
3 reviews
January 22, 2020
Very good beginner theory for guitarists.

This demystifies scale and chord construction in accessible language. Shipley doesn’t attempt to cover all theory details. He gives the guitarist a foundation that will make it easier to dig deeper.
2 reviews
April 29, 2019
Great book

I found this book very helpful in understanding music theory. It’s no nonsense approach is one everybody can use. Awesome !
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Author 45 books
August 8, 2020
Love the tests!

I really liked the self-tests at the end of each chapter. Unique to this series of books. Well written and useful.
Profile Image for P A Stutt.
35 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2020
Good basic music theory

Written clearly this book introduces music theory for guitarists. There are more complete and complex books on the subject but this is a great introduction.
Profile Image for D.J. Desmond.
633 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2020
Very helpful, especially for beginners, but still helpful for those with some guitar knowledge and need it sorted out.
6 reviews
April 28, 2021
As a guitar player who just knew how to play tabs, this books really helps to introduce the basics in musical structure in guitar
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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