Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions
Offered By
Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions
Berklee College of Music
About this Course
4.6
18 ratings
You’ve got the guitar basics down: You can strum your guitar and play a few of your favorite songs, but you’re ready to take the tunes to the next level. In Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions you’ll expand your knowledge of scales, chord fingerings, and common chord progressions. You’ll also learn important skills for soloing, creating melodies, and adding depth and dimension to your guitar playing.
This course is not only for the aspiring guitarist who has taken Berklee’s Guitar for Beginners, but also for guitarists who have let their six-string gather dust for too long, and want to brush up on techniques.
Each lesson covers the four basic aspects you’ll need to sharpen your guitar chops: scales, arpeggios, chord progressions, and rhythm. Amanda’s practical approach to learning these important elements is fun and helps you to use what you’re learning and practicing in a real musical setting. You’ll improve your playing and creativity, whether it be as a singer-songwriter, a guitarist accompanying a singer, or a player in the band. By the end of this course, you’ll be more comfortable playing throughout the neck, and you’ll gain a better understanding of chord structure and how each chord relates to tonal centers or keys. You’ll also be able to solo and improvise by playing simple lead guitar lines based on the minor pentatonic scale. Whether your preference is for acoustic or electric, the curriculum is designed to turn you into a real guitarist.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions!
Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.
1 video (Total 2 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
3 readings
Connect with Your Classmates10m
Course Resources10m
Earn A Certificate10m
1 practice exercise
What Are Your Goals?8m
Scales
In this lesson, we'll be learning and practicing the pentatonic scale. First we'll learn the b3 pentatonic scale, then the b7 pentatonic scale, and then we'll learn how to play the scale on one string. We'll also work on improvising using a single string. Finally, we'll practice playing scales in a moveable open position.
7 videos (Total 24 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
The b3 Pentatonic Scale3m
The b7 Pentatonic Scale3m
The Major Scale and Improvising On One String3m
The Pentatonic Scale on One String3m
Playing a Scale in a Moveable Open Position5m
Putting It All Together3m
3 readings
Practicing the b3 and the b7 Pentatonic Scales30m
Practicing On One String20m
Practicing Scales30m
2 practice exercises
Scales20m
Self Assessment: Practicing Scales6m
Week
2Arpeggios
This lesson, we'll be working with arpeggios, which means playing the notes in a chord one at a time. We'll be learning and practicing major, minor, diminished, and augmented arpeggiated chords.
6 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
Major Arpeggios3m
Minor Arpeggios3m
Diminished Arpeggios2m
Augmented Arpeggios4m
Putting It All Together3m
5 readings
Practicing Major Arpeggios30m
Practicing Minor Arpeggios30m
Practicing Diminished Arpeggios30m
Practicing Augmented Arpeggios30m
Practicing Arpeggios30m
2 practice exercises
Arpeggios20m
Self Assessment: Practicing Arpeggios6m
Week
3Chords and Progressions
In this lesson, we'll begin practicing chords and popular chord progressions. We'll also begin practicing these progressions with both open and barre chords.
6 videos (Total 28 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
I IV V and I V I V3m
I VI II V and I VI IV V4m
I V VI IV3m
The 12 Bar Blues6m
Putting It All Together8m
5 readings
Practicing the I IV V and I V IV Progressions30m
Practicing the I VI II V and I VI IV V Progressions30m
Practicing the I V VI IV Progression30m
Practicing the 12 Bar Blues30m
Practicing Chords and Progressions30m
2 practice exercises
Chords and Progressions20m
Practicing Chords and Progressions6m
Week
4Rhythm
7 videos (Total 24 min), 2 quizzes
7 videos
Rhythm and Scales4m
Arpeggios with Rhythm3m
Strumming Patterns with Chords7m
Arpeggios and Chords3m
Putting It All Together2m
Reviewm
1 practice exercise
Rhythm20m
4.6
Top Reviews
By SD•Sep 12th 2018
esxcellent presentation, cool teacher. thanks, berklee & coursera, i’ve learnt so much!
Instructor
Amanda
MonacoGuitar
About Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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