This course is part of the How to Play Guitar Specialization

4.7
stars
366 ratings

Amanda Monaco

44,766 already enrolled

Offered By

How to Play Guitar SpecializationBerklee

About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 4 in the

How to Play Guitar Specialization

Intermediate Level

Learners should complete "Guitar for Beginners" before enrolling in this course.

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Play scales in a moveable open position
Identify and play major, minor, diminished, and augmented arpeggios
Add rhythmic timing to arpeggios and strumming to enhance your playing

Skills you will gain

Tablature
Music notation
Guitar scales
Guitar chords
Guitar

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 4 in the

How to Play Guitar Specialization

Intermediate Level

Learners should complete "Guitar for Beginners" before enrolling in this course.

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.84/5 (84 Ratings)

Amanda Monaco

Offered by

Berklee

Established in 1945, Berklee is at the forefront of contemporary music education, bringing its award-winning curriculum to more than 3.5 million students around the world. Currently comprising Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Summer Programs, and more, Berklee is shaping the key players of tomorrow’s music industry. With innovative programs in performance, production, business, theater, dance, and more, students come away from their Berklee experience with a professional portfolio, practical job skills, and a strong sense of community.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(3,524 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions!

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 2 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

3 hours to complete

Scales

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 24 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

What You'll Learn in this Lesson29sThe b3 Pentatonic Scale3mThe b7 Pentatonic Scale3mThe Major Scale and Improvising On One String3mThe Pentatonic Scale on One String3mPlaying a Scale in a Moveable Open Position5mPutting It All Together3m

4 readings

Practicing the b3 and the b7 Pentatonic Scales30mPracticing On One String20mJoin Your Study Group10mPracticing Scales30m

2 practice exercises

Scales30mSelf Assessment: Practicing Scales30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Arpeggios

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 19 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

What You'll Learn in this Lesson33sMajor Arpeggios3mMinor Arpeggios3mDiminished Arpeggios2mAugmented Arpeggios4mPutting It All Together3m

7 readings

Practicing Major Arpeggios30mPracticing Minor Arpeggios30mPracticing Diminished Arpeggios30mPracticing Augmented Arpeggios10mPutting It All Together30mJoin Your Study Group10mPracticing Arpeggios30m

2 practice exercises

Arpeggios30mSelf Assessment: Practicing Arpeggios30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Chords and Progressions

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 28 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

What You'll Learn in this Lesson43sI IV V and I V IV3mI VI II V and I VI IV V4mI V VI IV3mThe 12 Bar Blues6mPutting It All Together8m

6 readings

Practicing the I IV V and I V IV Progressions30mPracticing the I VI II V and I VI IV V Progressions30mPracticing the I V VI IV Progression30mPracticing the 12 Bar Blues30mJoin Your Study Group10mPracticing Chords and Progressions30m

2 practice exercises

Chords and Progressions30mSelf Assessment: Practicing Chords and Progressions30m

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Rhythm

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 24 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

Reviews

4.7

127 reviews

5 stars
77.71%
4 stars
17.66%
3 stars
2.17%
2 stars
1.63%
1 star
0.81%

TOP REVIEWS FROM GUITAR SCALES AND CHORD PROGRESSIONS

by NFMar 18, 2023

Loved this course. I've been a long-time guitar player looking for a way to improve my skills. This course was well-paced, and the lectures were very easy to follow.

by BJMay 6, 2020

Definitely a great intro (or refresher) to guitar scales and chord progressions. Amanda does a great job with the lessons and making assignments clear!

by FOOct 28, 2020

This course presented a new perspective in doing scales and chords which was really beneficial in my playing as a professional; guitarist.

by SKMar 13, 2021

Really helped me learn Basic scales, Arpeggios and some melodious strumming patterns.

I appreciate how the instructor put so much effort to teach us. Thank you.

View all reviews

About the How to Play Guitar Specialization

Have you always wanted to play the guitar, but never knew where to start? Whether you’re just picking up the guitar for the first time or you just want to brush up on your skills, the Guitar Techniques specialization created by Berklee College of Music will help you practice the techniques you need to bring your playing to the next level. Throughout this 16-week specialization, you’ll lay a firm foundation by learning and practicing major, minor, and pentatonic scales as well as triads and chords. You’ll also practice improvising, writing melodies and licks, and playing through lead sheets. By the end of this specialization, you’ll have learned the skills and confidence to perform your favorite songs in front of an audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. 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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain