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Top-rated guitar theory lessons
These guitar theory lessons are highly rated for guided learning to help you play, improvise, and compose on the guitar.
Private lessons with Elisa Miconi
5.0 (4)
Berklee College of Music grad and session guitarist
All levels ·
$45 / lesson
Private lessons with Elisa Miconi
5.0 (4)
Berklee College of Music grad and session guitarist
All levels ·
$45 / lesson
Private lessons with Jeremy Hilliard
New
Guitarist and songwriter who performs nationally (Bonnaroo, Telluride)
All levels ·
$35 / lesson
Private lessons with Jeremy Hilliard
New
Guitarist and songwriter who performs nationally (Bonnaroo, Telluride)
All levels ·
$35 / lesson
Private lessons with Lauren Passarelli
5.0 (1)
Guitar professor at Berklee College of Music since 1984
All levels ·
$75 / lesson
Private lessons with Lauren Passarelli
5.0 (1)
Guitar professor at Berklee College of Music since 1984
All levels ·
$75 / lesson
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Brian B.
String Theory Part 1 - Triads
Molly is absolutely amazing. The way she breaks things down so you can understand how to play is incredible. She encourages questions to help you along in your journey. I would encourage everyone to take her class. You will be better no matter what.
Tayler K.
Meaningful Chords, Meaningful Soloing
I left Jude's class feeling much more confident in knowing how to make meaningful musical decisions. This class was always the highlight of my week and it was a blast getting to learn alongside other musicians seeking growth! Highly recommend!
Ryan G.
Chord Creation
Arianna's class is amazing. Every class was extremely well thought out, always engaging, and had great cohesion of concepts throughout every class. It’s more reminiscent of a Music Conservatory Masterclass than your typical basic online class!
Tom B.
Zero to Hero
Caitlin is an exceptional guitar teacher (top 1%) and this is an outstanding course. The live lessons are highly interactive and there isn't a question that doesn't go unanswered. Til is a pleasure to use.
Abbey F.
4 Chords: The Best of Taylor Swift
Nena tailored the class to us and what we wanted to learn. She gave us tips and tricks on how to play songs we wanted at whatever level we are at, I always felt encouraged. This class has been an invaluable part of my guitar playing journey.
Jason A.
Chord Vocabulary for Guitarists
This class was a perfect fit for me. It was refreshing to find an intermediate class that focused on harmony and voice leading. It was nice to have the opportunity to chat live and ask questions to clarify things in real time.
Ellie G.
Meaningful Chords, Meaningful Soloing
Everything about this class was just absolutely fantastic. If you are a passionate guitarist and you are up to a challenge or even just learn something new, than this is definitely the class for you! Don't think twice about it, take the class!
Tom G.
Blues Guitar Improvisation
Quist is excellent at providing motivation to practice. My family, friends, and bandmates commented that my guitar playing, timing, and phrasing all improved.
Jared K.
Workshop for the Developing Guitarist
This was a great class. I learned a lot from Dylan and Eugene and the lessons were very fun. They are both extremely knowledgeable and experienced teachers. I look forward to any future classes.
Nelly M.
Level Up: Jazz & Contemporary Guitar
I've already learned so much my brain hurts! Tash has given me some simpler things to work on since I'm a beginner. I've taken several of the Til classes and they are such a great way to learn.
Marco M.
Secret Weapons
This is as great as it gets! Lessons are extremely informative, fun, at a fantastic pace, and I cannot say enough about Caitlin...so knowledgeable!
Marty W.
Expanding Blues Guitar
Jamey is a great musician and is sincere in his desire to thoroughly teach the subject at hand. He provided detailed handouts and playing examples, and really went above and beyond my expectations. Highly recommended!
Guitar Theory lessons on Til
Private lessons with Rich Cozzi
New
Playing & teaching for over 40 years. Studied at Berklee as well as privately.
All levels ·
$45 / lesson
Private lessons with Rich Cozzi
New
Playing & teaching for over 40 years. Studied at Berklee as well as privately.
All levels ·
$45 / lesson
Private lessons with Bobby Harrison
5.0 (1)
UK session guitarist. Worked with Brian May, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Bonnie Tyler, Andrea Corr, Brit Floyd and more...
All levels ·
$35 / lesson
Private lessons with Bobby Harrison
5.0 (1)
UK session guitarist. Worked with Brian May, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Bonnie Tyler, Andrea Corr, Brit Floyd and more...
All levels ·
$35 / lesson
Private lessons with Stuart Ryan
5.0 (2)
Award-winning guitarist, educator and author of best-selling guitar books
All levels ·
$47 / lesson
Private lessons with Stuart Ryan
5.0 (2)
Award-winning guitarist, educator and author of best-selling guitar books
All levels ·
$47 / lesson
Private lessons with Scott Tarulli
New
Berklee professor and collaborator with Nile Rogers, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin and more
All levels ·
$71 / lesson
Private lessons with Scott Tarulli
New
Berklee professor and collaborator with Nile Rogers, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin and more
All levels ·
$71 / lesson
Private lessons with Dave Cipriani
New
Fingerstyle, Hybrid and Indian Slide Guitarist for 30+ years with MFA in World Music
All levels ·
$50 / lesson
Private lessons with Dave Cipriani
New
Fingerstyle, Hybrid and Indian Slide Guitarist for 30+ years with MFA in World Music
All levels ·
$50 / lesson
Private lessons with Brian Sanborn
New
Guitarist and Producer with Noname. Toured and recorded with artists Smino, Ravyn Lenae, Jamila Woods, theMind, Kaina, Sen Morimoto, and more.
All levels ·
$53 / lesson
Private lessons with Brian Sanborn
New
Guitarist and Producer with Noname. Toured and recorded with artists Smino, Ravyn Lenae, Jamila Woods, theMind, Kaina, Sen Morimoto, and more.
All levels ·
$53 / lesson
Popular skills to learn guitar theory
- Learn notes across the fretboard
- Understand major and minor scales
- Chord construction
- Interval theory
- Circle of Fifths
- Constructing and playing major, minor, and dominant 7th chords
Frequently Asked Questions
Your guide to guitar theory
- Learn the notes on the fretboard and understand intervallic relationships.
- Study basic chord construction (triads and seventh chords) and common progressions.
- Understand scale theory, focusing on the major scale and its modes, as well as the pentatonic and blues scales.
- Learn how chords and scales relate to one another and how to use them to create melodies and improvisations.
- Study rhythm concepts, such as time signatures, note values, and syncopation.
While online resources can help, consider taking guitar theory lessons with an experienced teacher for personalized guidance and feedback. A teacher provides structure, helps you apply theoretical concepts to your playing, and keeps you motivated when facing challenges.
If you want to learn music theory from world-class guitarists, check out the online guitar lessons on Til. Til offers video lessons with expert teachers, so you can dive deep into guitar theory with the best instructors right in your own home. With the right guidance and dedicated practice, you'll build a solid theoretical foundation that will elevate your guitar playing to new heights!
Learning the fundamentals of guitar theory and applying them to your playing typically takes around 80-120 hours. If you practice 2 hours per week, that's about 1 year or 5 - 7 months if you practice for 30 minutes daily. For most people, the hardest part of learning guitar theory is understanding how scales, chords, and progressions work together to create music. To effectively learn guitar theory, finding a great teacher is crucial. A knowledgeable instructor can break down complex concepts into digestible lessons, provide practical examples, and help you apply theory to your playing, which is far more efficient and effective than self-guided learning.
Need help finding a great teacher for guitar theory? Discover top-rated guitar theory lessons on Til.
Our pick: Ibanez RG550 Genesis
Our top choice for technique and guitar theory is the Ibanez RG550 Genesis, for its sleek, comfortable design and exceptional playability. Its thin Wizard neck and jumbo frets facilitate fast, precise fretting, while the HSH pickup configuration delivers a wide range of tones suitable for various genres. The double-locking tremolo system ensures excellent tuning stability, even with aggressive use. Notably used by virtuosos like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, the RG550 Genesis is a versatile instrument that caters to the needs of technique-focused players. Price range: $1,000 - $1,500.
Budget pick: Schecter C-6 Plus
If you're learning music theory on guitar and on a budget, the Schecter C-6 Plus is an excellent option. This guitar features a thin, fast-playing neck and a comfortable body shape that encourages long practice sessions. The 24 jumbo frets and a 14-inch fretboard radius provide ample space for intricate finger work and bends. The C-6 Plus is equipped with high-output Schecter Diamond Plus pickups, delivering powerful, articulate tones suitable for shred-heavy styles. With its affordable price point and impressive features, the Schecter C-6 Plus is a great choice for technique-focused players. Price range: $400 - $600.
Upgrade pick: Suhr Modern Pro
The Suhr Modern Pro is a premium choice for technique guitarists seeking the ultimate in playability and tone. Handcrafted in the USA, we love this guitar for its sleek, ergonomic design with a thin, asymmetrical neck profile that facilitates effortless fretting and lightning-fast runs. The stainless steel frets and a compound radius fretboard provide a smooth, comfortable playing experience. The Suhr V70 pickups deliver crystal-clear, dynamic tones that respond well to advanced techniques. Favored by virtuosos like Guthrie Govan, the Suhr Modern Pro is a top-tier instrument for serious technique players. Price range: $3,000 - $4,000.
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