Contents

Part 1: Turning Tones into Notes

1 Defining Guitar Theory

What Guitar Theory Is … and Is Not

Guitar Theory Isn’t Separate from Music Theory

Guitar Theory Isn’t the Antithesis of Creativity

Guitar Theory Isn’t Magic

Guitar Theory Isn’t Just for Lead Guitar Players

Guitar Theory Isn’t Just for Guitars

Guitar Theory Isn’t Hard

Putting Theory to Practice

2 Naming Notes

Starting with a Point of Reference

Making a Map

Marking the Map

Adding Accidentals

Finding Your Reference Points

Finding Notes on the First Five Frets

Choosing Other Reference Points

Putting Theory to Practice

3 Reading Directions

Chord Charts

Xing Strings Out

Setting a Barre

Moving Up the Fretboard

A Very Brief Guide to Music Notation

Lines and Spaces

The Notes of the Open ...

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