good resources for learning guitar scales/advanced chords?

June 1, 2009 10:56 PM

Learning intermediate/advanced guitar via the net filter

Well, i know all the basic chords and can improvise some good stuff and can read tabs, but not chords. also i have an advanced piano background. I am now looking to learn more advanced things on the guitar, primarily scales, and also fingering patterns that change chords to augmented/diminished etc. i am not yet interested in learning how to read music for guitar, and would rather learn it visually first. i am not looking for songs, so much as technique.

I know there is a million videos/sites out here, i am looking for an opinion here as to which one is the best for my purpose, and who out there on the net is a worthy teacher. thanks!!!

posted by figTree to education (5 comments total)

Justin Guitar
posted by zippy at 11:34 PM on June 1

There are lots of Youtube videos explaining various scales and chords. Justin Sandercoe is probably the best, and he has lots of video series focusing on chord types (7ths, triads, etc.)

I've purchased lots of "200 chord patterns" type books but ultimately end up never looking at them - the best way to learn chords is to learn songs that use them. I've found that certain artists (Beatles, John Mayer) use a new and interesting chord in just about every song, so I'll look at each song as a chance to learn a couple of new chords (and some new techniques).

studybass.com has a great tool that prints out scale / chord diagrams. (Not just for bass).

I also like the "Blues you can use" series of books.
posted by mmoncur at 12:19 AM on June 2

I don;t know a thing about guitar but here a site I stumbled into:
Flupe that has some guitar lesson type stuff.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:39 AM on June 2

Guitar Noise is a free guitar lesson website with hundreds of articles, tips and reviews. Whether you are a beginner, a lefty, a bass player or a singer, Guitar Noise has lessons on nearly everything and anything to do with the guitar. There are many talented musicians out there. The artist profiles section includes interviews with dozens. The forums, blog and podcasts help you keep up with this thriving community.
posted by netbros at 8:30 AM on June 2

I am now looking to learn more advanced things on the guitar, primarily scales, and also fingering patterns that change chords to augmented/diminished etc.

Everybody starts out on guitar learning shapes and fingering patterns because that's the quickest way to jump in. But if you're looking to get past being a beginner it's time to stop thinking solely in shapes and start thinking about notes and chord construction.

It's like the difference between going to a foreign country and reading sentences out of a phrasebook vs. actually learning the language. If you understand how to interpret chord names and construct chords you can come up with an unlimited number of variations on chord voicings. The nice thing about chords is that the name tells you everything you need to know. If you say G7(#5) I don't have to look it up in a dictionary or rely on a couple of patterns that I memorized -- I know exactly what notes need to be played.

In any case, it's a big topic. Musictheory.net is a good place to start. Feel free to ask me if you have any specific questions.
posted by ludwig_van at 10:01 AM on June 2 [1 favorite]