PLAYLISTS AND GUIDES
Complete multi-part lesson series on specific topics
New To Music Theory? Start Here!
Most of my lessons require a basic understanding of music theory. Here's how you can gain those skills first.
How to Write Chord Progressions
Learn beginner to advanced harmony by crafting your own chord progressions in major and minor.
Understanding The Modes
Watch through these lessons, and you're guaranteed to never be confused by modes again
Perfect Progressions
Take a deep dive into popular music to see how the music theory you're learning actually gets used.
Riffing With Modes
Learn how to write entire songs using modal concepts, with a focus on guitar riffing
Jam Along and Improvise
Learn to improvise and jam in different keys with scale charts and chords displayed on screen
Exploring Harmonic Minor
A complete exploration of the Harmonic Minor Scale and how it gets used, along with a demonstration of its exotic-sounding modes.
ALL LESSONS
Completely free lessons by Jake Lizzio on music theory, songwriting, chords, scales, modes, guitar technique and more!
Showing 61–80 of 89 lessons
Diminished 7th Chord = PORTAL to 8 Tonalities
Discover how diminished 7th chords act as symmetrical portals to multiple keys. Learn how any note can be the root and use this to modulate to 8 different tonalities.
Using Modal Mixture for Dreamy and Epic Lead Guitar
Modal mixture lets you swap between parallel major and minor scales over the same chord progression. Learn how to layer A major and A minor over an E / A minor vamp for dreamy, epic lead lines.
Modal Mixture and Mixolydian b6 Jam + Practice Track
A guitar backing track for practicing modal mixture in E. Two chords (E major to A minor) at moderate tempo, designed for swapping between parallel major and minor scales over the same vamp.
Secondary Dominants: Write Better Chord Progressions!
Learn how secondary dominant chords add color and interest to your progressions. Understand how these non-diatonic chords create mini modulations and why V7/vi is so common in modern music.
Intro to Modulations and Key Changes
Explore how songs change keys with modulations. Learn about half-step, whole-step, and larger modulations through famous examples from Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, and more.
Stairway To Heaven's Mysterious Measures - The Bridge Rhythm Explained
The bridge section in Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is maybe the most mis-played section in classic rock history. This lesson breaks down the unusual time signature and rhythmic structure that makes this section so tricky.
How To Write a METAL Solo
Learn strategies for writing metal solos using pentatonic minor, blues, and minor scales. Discover how to structure a solo and get the most out of your technique.
3 Concepts That Made Me A Better Songwriter
Over 15 years of writing music, I developed a few philosophies on composing that have helped make my music more enjoyable and less frustrating. These principles may be more helpful than music theory itself.
Phrygian: Understanding and Using the Third Mode of Major
Phrygian has a uniquely dark and exotic feel thanks to its flat 2nd scale degree. Learn how the scale is built, its characteristic chords, and several ways to compose your own music using the Phrygian mode.
How To Write Chord Progressions
Learn the fundamentals of writing chord progressions using diatonic chords. This beginner-friendly guide teaches you a simple 3-rule system for creating professional-sounding progressions in any major key.
Dorian Scale: The 2nd Mode of Major
Learn the basics of the Dorian mode - how it's built, how it relates to major and minor, and how to build its chords. Explore the classic i-IV sound and see how different artists use Dorian in their music.
Relative Modes: How C Major and A Minor are Same but Different
Discover how the tonal center transforms the emotional quality of the same set of notes. This video demonstrates all 7 relative modes of the major scale and how simply changing the tonal center creates modal harmony.
Understanding and Using Odd Time Signatures
Learn the basics of odd time signatures with 6 real examples. Covers quarter note, eighth note, and sixteenth note odd meters including Mission Impossible (5/4), Money (7/4), and Here Comes The Sun (7/8).
Master the 3:4 and 4:3 Polyrhythm
Learn how to play and understand the most common polyrhythm in music. This lesson covers both 3:4 and 4:3 polyrhythms with practical exercises and counting techniques.
How to Write Chords and Songs in Minor
A crash course in writing with the minor scale. Learn the chords, progressions, and techniques for composing emotional and powerful music in minor keys.
Demonstrating All 7 Modes in Parallel
Building the modes in parallel (starting from the same root) allows you to see and hear the differences. Learn each mode's unique identity so you can easily identify it when you hear it and use it effectively in your own music.
Reverse Engineering Dream Theater: Metropolis Pt 1 Analysis
A deep analysis of the opening section of Dream Theater's "Metropolis Pt 1," breaking down the polymeter, suspended chord harmony, and time signature tricks, then using those ideas to build our own prog rock riff.
How To Easily Recognize Chords: Alternate Chord Names
Give your chords alternate names that describe their emotional feeling. This technique helps you identify chords quicker by ear and makes composing much easier.
How to Improvise Solos in Mixolydian Mode
A step-by-step guide to improvising guitar solos using Mixolydian. Learn the scale shape, add hammer-ons and slides, accent chord tones, and use the Mixolydian pentatonic for a unique flavor.
Jam Track in D Mixolydian - Classic Rock / 80's Style (FOLLOW ALONG)
An 80's-style classic rock backing track in D Mixolydian. Great for practicing your Mixolydian licks and classic rock lead guitar.