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Desi Serna

This podcast features free audio guitar lessons taught by Desi Serna, author of Fretboard Theory and Guitar Theory For Dummies. Learn how scales, chords, progressions, modes, and more get applied to the fretboard and familiar songs. Hear how to best get your playing skills in order. Begin to improvise and compose. Understand why your favorite songs sound so good. ➝ What do you specifically need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit the GuitarMusicTheory.com website to get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level. Discover how to progressively play and sound better—today, in as little as 33 minutes!

Guitar Music Theory

The pentatonic scale is one of the most essential tools in a guitarist's toolkit. In this episode, we break down what the pentatonic scale is, why it shows up in so many styles of music, and why it sounds so natural on the guitar. From Asian music to African drumming and Native American flute traditions, and then from blues and rock to country, pop, funk, and even metal, this simple five-note scale forms the foundation of countless riffs, solos, melodies, and hooks. If you want to improvise with confidence and move freely across the fretboard, mastering the pentatonic scale is a must.
 
Lead Guitar Unlocked Book
 https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Guitar-Unlocked-Expressive-Pentatonic/dp/B0FY4XH4TP
 
Free Video Course
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep183 What Is the Pentatonic Scale and Why Every Guitarist Should Master It

In episode 182 of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, I sit down with Mike Valeras, an adjunct guitar instructor at Belmont University here in Nashville, where he teaches commercial music and improvisation. Mike shares his guitar learning journey, early band experiences, and his formal music education, including earning both a music education degree and a master's degree. We talk about how he made the move from Boston to Nashville and ultimately landed his teaching position at Belmont. Growing up, Huey Lewis and the News was his favorite band, and today Mike is one of the guitarists in The Heart of Rock and Roll, the Huey Lewis and the News tribute band that I occasionally play with as well. It's a great conversation about musicianship, education, and carving out a career in music.
 
Free Video Course
Answer the question on my website to get a free video course calibrated to your current level. https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
 
New Book: Lead Guitar Unlocked
 Master Expressive Soloing With the Pentatonic Scale. From basic patterns to pro-level phrasing—learn to play licks that speak and solos that sing. https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Guitar-Unlocked-Expressive-Pentatonic/dp/B0FY4XH4TP
 
"Migus fa Dingus" by Mike Valeras
 Listen to Mike's music on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/track/0EPzrL1s8Fc1V3OFr6nqYn?si=e1598c276fe54b38

Ep182 From Boston to Belmont – Mike Valeras on Guitar Education and Finding Your Lane

In this episode of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi is joined by his daughter Lila to look back at some of the biggest pop hits of 2025.
 
Together, they explore why these songs connect so strongly with listeners and what guitarists can learn from them. From chord progressions and melodies to groove, phrasing, and feel, this conversation pulls musical ideas out of modern pop songs and translates them into concepts you can apply to guitar.
 
Even if pop is not your main genre, these songs offer valuable lessons in simplicity, songwriting, and musical impact. Plus, this episode features a fun and honest father-daughter discussion that gives a fresh perspective on today's music.
 
Whether you are curious about current pop trends or looking for new inspiration for your guitar playing, this episode offers insight, analysis, and plenty of takeaways.
 
Email Desi
 https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/contact/
 
Free Video Course
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
 
New Book: Lead Guitar Unlocked: Master Expressive Soloing With the Pentatonic Scale 
 https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Guitar-Unlocked-Expressive-Pentatonic/dp/B0FY4XH4TP
 
Backing Tracks
 https://www.karaoke-version.com/

Ep181 Top Hits of 2025 with Lila

In this Q&A episode, Desi answers listener questions on a wide range of guitar topics—including how to choose the right song tempo, whether you need warm-ups, practical ear-training methods, when to use modes, and how chord extensions actually work. You'll also hear tips on improvisation, fretboard navigation, and developing better musical instincts.
 
If you're looking to deepen your understanding of both the technical and musical sides of guitar, this episode is packed with clear explanations and real-world examples to help you grow as a player.
 
FREE VIDEO COURSE
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
 
NEW BOOK: Lead Guitar Unlocked: Master Expressive Soloing With the Pentatonic Scale
 https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Guitar-Unlocked-Expressive-Pentatonic/dp/B0FY4XH4TP

Ep180 Q&A Song Tempos - Warm-Ups - Ear Training - Modes - Chord Extensions & More

In this episode, Desi Serna is joined by friends and fellow guitarists Matt Reviere and Jon "HW" Sullivan for a lively discussion about one of the most debated solos of the 1980s — Steve Howe's guitar solo in "Heat of the Moment" by Asia.
 
The trio breaks down why the solo doesn't quite hit the mark, exploring its phrasing, tone, and fit within the song. Along the way, they take a deep dive into Steve Howe's legendary work with Yes, examining how such a brilliant player could deliver something that feels so out of place.
 
Then things get creative — each guitarist reveals and plays a replacement solo they composed themselves, reimagining what the song could sound like with a stronger melodic statement.
 
It's equal parts music theory, guitar nerdery, and good humor between three friends who love to analyze and play great guitar music.
 🎧 Listen to Our Solos • 

Desi: Heat of the Moment Solo – Desi
 • 
 • 

Jon "HW": Heat of the Moment Solo – HW
 • 
 • 

Matt: Heat of the Moment Solo – Matt
 • 
 
🎵 Get the Backing Track:
 Asia – "Heat of the Moment" Guitar Backing Track (Karaoke-Version.com)
 
🎚️ Tone Used:
 Inspired by the 80s – Kemper Pack by Tone Junkie
 
🎸 Free Custom Video Course:
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
 
📘 Lead Guitar Unlocked: Master Expressive Soloing With the Pentatonic Scale:
 https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Guitar-Unlocked-Expressive-Pentatonic/dp/B0FY4XH4TP

Ep179 Fixing the Worst Guitar Solo – Heat of the Moment by Asia (feat. Matt Reviere & Jon "HW" Sullivan)

In episode 178 of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, I pay tribute to Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley with some of my favorite guitar solos he recorded.
 
Free Video Course
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
 
Huey Tribute
 Come see me play live on 11/21/2025 
 https://cainarts.org/event/heart-of-rock-roll-the-authentic-tribute-to-huey-lewis-the-news/cain-center-for-the-arts/north-carolina/
 
Ace Frehley Guitar Solos ⚡️ Spotify Playlist
 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ZfV8unmk7W4Y5F4mKbw78?si=48235bd7b3244c51
 
Backing track courtesy of Karaoke Version 
 https://www.karaoke-version.com/

Ep178 Tribute to Ace Frehley – Favorite Guitar Solos

In this episode, I break down the 1975 Rainbow classic featuring Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio. I take you through the signature opening riff, the shifting minor key changes, the alternate-picked arpeggios, and the fiery solo that defines the track. I also talk about Blackmore's Strat/Marshall setup and show you how studying this song can improve your technique, deepen your understanding of music theory, and boost your confidence as a guitarist.
 
Free Custom Video Course
 
Be sure to visit https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and answer the question about your playing. I'll send you a free custom video course with a clear, step-by-step plan to help you reach your guitar goals and start sounding like the player you've always wanted to be.

Ep177 Man on the Silver Mountain – How Does This Song Work?

In episode 176 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk with Roger and Tony Langdon, founders of The Heart of Rock and Roll—America's #1 Huey Lewis tribute band. We dive into what it takes to run a high-level tribute act, including building a band, nailing the sound, preparing for gigs, and delivering a polished live show.
 
The Heart of Rock and Roll
 Learn more about the band at https://hueytribute.com/
 
Free Guitar Video Course
 Enroll in a free video course at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get custom instruction based on your current playing level.

Ep176 How to Build a Pro Tribute Band- Inside The Heart of Rock and Roll with Roger and Tony Langdon

In episode 175 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener emails about:
 
 • Using your thumb to fret the 6th string in barre chords and possible workarounds
 • How to improve your rhythm and memorize songs more effectively
 • The G form barre chord and how it's used in modern playing
 • A theory-based analysis of Foo Fighters' use of pedal tones in chord progressions
 • Why sus4 and minor 6 chords don't naturally occur in certain scale degrees
 • Why guitarists sometimes play notes like F# over A minor—mixing scales in blues-based rock
 
Plus, I mention the JamZone app and how it can help you practice and play along with real songs.
 
Zoom Classes
 https://www.guitarmusictheory.com/zoom/
 
Quiz and Free Video Course
 https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep175 Q&A Thumb Chords - Song Memory - Rhythm Tips - and Foo Fighters Fretboard Tricks

In episode 174 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I chat with Carrie Underwood guitarist Matt Reviere about recreating classic 80s guitar tones for the Kemper Profiling Amplifier and Line 6 Helix using the new Inspired by the 80s pack from Tone Junkie. We discuss his workflow for analyzing songs, dialing in tones, and jamming on iconic riffs from artists like Dire Straits, The Police, Bon Jovi, and more. 
 
🎛️ Check out the Tone Junkie pack here: tonejunkiestore.com/inspiredby/p/inspired-by-the-80s-kemper
 
🎸 Get started with a free video course tailored to your current level at GuitarMusicTheory.com

Ep174 Recreating Iconic 80s Tones For Kemper and Helix with Matt Reviere

In this free guitar lesson you learn how to add chord tones and extensions to chords including major and minor seventh chords. Taught by Desi Serna of http://GuitarMusicTheory.com.

Episode 09 Playing Chords with Added Chord Tones and Extensions

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