Fretboard Theory

I'm a 60-year-old with 40 years playing cowboy chords, and some knowledge of how to play "the scale" (index finger on the tonic of the sixth string).An 80 yo friend gave me a bass guitar Thanksgiving, and I have been having a ball. I asked another another friend for lessons, and got a Hal Leonard book.By week 3, I had jumped WAY ahead of myself and was trying to read about modes, asking why the harmony in 30's country was a given interval apart, whether you play a major or minor scale with the blues, and getting answers that I was unable to understand. I was very frustrated.After all, I still had never heard of pentatonic patterns, intervals, flat vs major 7ths... and when I did hear about something like a "perfect fifth", my brain would get stuck in why it's called a fifth, and what makes it perfect. (I found myself trying to read about Pythagoras late one night...)My wife found these podcasts and they were everything I needed: - A fundamental approach to the Theory of music, rather than a sheet of chords - Well paced - An Intellectually curious approach - Accurate and solid and deep - Serna tells what he's going to demonstrate, demonstrates it succinctly, then reviews what he just demonstrated - I know most of the songs he references well2 weeks in, I've purchased both Fretboard Theory books, one in paper and one on Kindle. I'm on podcast 12. And I'm boring everyone at parties telling them excitedly about all the magical things I've learned.Every day now I play my lovely bass and my new semi hollow body and my acoustic. But I can hardly hear the wonderful new sounds I'm making, for all the clicking in my head as everything falls into place.I've been a teacher all my life, so I can see appreciate Desi Serna's gifts as a teacher. Praise and thanks for this amazing guidebook into music theory.I just wish I lived in Nashville so I could come take lessons.

I bought this book in 2009 and it's absolutely the best, essential book to add to any guitarist's library of knowledge. It's a clear outline that explains everything without going overboard on theory mechanics. The fact that Desi Serna also gives examples of current songs, also makes explaining things more understandable and relatable. The book animates the diagrams, positions, and scales on the fretboard, while also giving a detailed explanation on the theory behind it. He also incorporates exercises or shortcuts to help map your way through a fretboard.The problem with a lot of the "other" books I own, is that they are too music theory laden and will have your head spinning in circles after 2-3 pages. Often times other books will throw together a scale or a diagram without much information to follow. Or other books will provide examples such as a scale or teaching technique without a clear explanation, or why. Music Theory for Guitarists, Guitar Fretboard Workbook, Mel Bay Fingerboard Theory, Chord Tone Soloing, were all books that became confusing after a few reads. My copy of Desi Serna's Fretboard Theory has been my go-to book, and is apparent in that the cover is worn and often used. The other books I own still look brand new, since I rarely reference them.

I have collected many different music theory books and pdf books over time. I go in and out of using or really trying to apply it. when I do I am always pleased with the results. this is a great read that gives you info you can use right away and describes things in a way giving you a nice look at real things, not the usualy explanations of theory. after you look at 5 plus different books, they all do look the same. I am looking for stuff beyond beginner and before super advanced. I have been playing guitar more off than on for almost 30 years (ouch), so it becomes easy to keep finding stuff that is explaining things from a never played before point. that is frustrating cause these usually end right around where I want them to begin!THAT SAID, Desi manages to explain things in a way that you can think of differently and cut through the fat. he also doesn't bother with learning to read music, there are plenty of books on that, so that is a welcome thing as well. I enjoy what I have read so far, feel like it is really sticking in my brain better than the dry theory books I have plenty of. is it a magic bullet? maybe not, but you will enjoy it more than the other theory books you have read. it works well for people that know something as well as the beginner, and that is a feat in and of itself. I just vol 2 for when I am done with this and will look through it some this weekend. I feel I found someone who really talks like a guitarist and not a professor. thank you mr. Serna

Excellent book and approach!Essential for beginner to intermediate and even advanced may learn a thing or two. Works as reference and instruction. Very well done.I recommend the spiral bound as it is a study book and needs to be used, not read and put on the shelf.Similar to Fretboard Logic and I recommend both. This one goes into more depth and can be a bit more difficult to find a certain reference point but the devil is in the details.The lists of songs in keys is a great idea! Beginners and even advanced have difficulty figuring out keys of songs. This gets you started and provides examples to jam with and start getting into the mechanics of guitar playing.Desi has done a wonderful job and I look forward to buying more of his material as I complete this.

This is my favourite lockdown book. Luckily for me, it is just above my previous level. To give context: I loved strumming my acoustic with the odd, easy solo in there. I would say I was bang on Nirvana Unplugged grade.Now I am playing scales up and down the neck and applying the CAGED system (albeit clumsily at the moment) across the whole fretboard.I wish the sequel was a bit cheaper.Oh, and the 100s of songs suggested for practice lean heavily, but not completely, towards the US. I have not checked the free online resources, so I cannot comment on those. I still use all the free Youtubers.So, in conclusion: no book has progressed my playing and enjoyment more than this.I hope Santa brings me a Strat and Fretboard Theory 2.

This book is for intermediate level players and above that require a solid foundation of the most necessary scales arpeggios and moveable chord shapes to learn. I have played for 25 years and this book has filled in a few holes in my theory. Best of all it gives a solid structure of how to practice guitar. Learn songs, lots of them! Check out Desi on the fretboard theory podcast and his website. Next purchase will be fretboard theory two. Well worth buying.

This book and Fretboard 2 are probably the most comprehensive guitar theory books you can buy if you want to fully understand and use the complete fretboard and make music. I would recommend using them along with his great podcast 'Guitar Music Theory Lessons - Desi Serma'. Desi makes learning enjoyable, understandable and inspiring, I don't think you can find a better way to learn if you are doing it on your own. Thanks Desi

Initially easy to follow, notinished book yet though

Quite simply when combining this book with Desi's podcast, they provide an effective, enjoyable and extensive guide through learning the basics through to intermediate level.It demonstrates how to understand the Fretboard and how this can be applied to learning songs and playing with others.The best guitar theory book on the market