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 1–20 of 86 lessons
Exploring Modal Mixture Part 1 - Major Keys
Learn how to write modal mixture chord progressions, and which scales to use on top of them, to create stunning music with dramatic shifts.
Master of Puppets Interlude Explained: Music Theory Breakdown
Breaking down the iconic interlude from Master of Puppets, then using those strategies to write original music.
Improvising On Guitar with the Major Scale
The second lesson in the improvisation series, exploring how to use the major scale to improvise and jam over a G major jam track.
Start Improvising On Guitar with the Minor Scale
The first lesson in a series to teach how scales and shapes are used by guitarists to improvise and jam.
Write Chromatic-Infused Chord Progressions With Modal Mixture
Learn how to write chord progressions with descending bass lines using modal mixture and borrowed chords. Master the lament bass technique and expand it into full chromatic descents.
Famous Chords With Weird Nicknames (And How To Write Music With Them)
Some chords are so famous and popular they got their own name. Learn several of them, like the Neapolitan Chord, the Augmented Sixth Chord, the Backdoor Chord, Cadential 6/4, and more. Then try writing music with these popular chords.
7 Simple Musical Exercises That Unlock Advanced Rhythm and Complex Groove
Learning complex rhythm skills if you're not a drummer might seem intimidating, but with a few simple exercises you can start learning polyrhythm, polymeter, metric modulation, and more - all without a metronome! This lesson shows 7 simple exercises for ANY instrument that will gradually unlock those deeper realms of rhythm complexity. Once you're done with this lesson, you should be better equipped to tackle the full 3:2 and 3:4 polyrhythm.
Stealing Musical Ideas To Make Unique Music
Writer's block begone! Learn how easy it is to write original and awesome sounding music by stealing a simple rhythmic pattern. This lesson explores the double tresillo rhythm (3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 4) and shows how to use it for composing, producing, and songwriting.
ADD11 ARPEGGIOS - Build Speed, Learn Theory, and Sound AMAZING!
Add11 arpeggios are fun and easy, and learning them provides an opportunity to get faster on your instrument while also improving your knowledge of music theory AND giving you more cool ways to make music.
Riffing With Modes #1: Writing with Major/Ionian
Writing with Major/Ionian in a Rock/Prog style. This is the first of a seven part series on how to write riffs using each mode of the major scale.
Writing Powerful Dorian Dad Rock in 6/8
Dorian is capable of way more than just jazz and funk - learn how to use it for rock arrangements. Part 2 of the Riffing with Modes series.
Writing Morse Code Math Metal in Phrygian
Phrygian is ripe ground for growing dark, doomy, and chaotic metal riffs. Part 3 of the Riffing with Modes series.
Lydian + 7/4 = Writing Dreamy Instrumental Prog Rock
Learn how to exploit Lydian's properties to create dreamy prog rock riffs and sections. Part 4 of the Riffing with Modes series.
How to Make a Classic Rock Hit 35 Years Late
A mini documentary on creating an 80s rock/metal track using Mixolydian. Part 5 of the Riffing with Modes series.
How to Sound Like Daft Punk, Tool, or Every Rock Band
Three different styles from funk to metal to acoustic rock using Minor/Aeolian. Part 6 of the Riffing with Modes series.
Making Music with Pascal's Triangle + The Locrian Scale
The seventh and final episode - using algorithmic sequences to create music with the most challenging mode. Part 7 of the Riffing with Modes series.
Getting Started with Harmonic Minor - Leads and Jamming
An introduction to the harmonic minor scale. Learn how to play leads and jam using this exotic-sounding scale that adds tension and drama to your playing.
Writing Chord Progressions in Harmonic Minor
Discover the unique chords available in harmonic minor and learn how to write compelling chord progressions using this powerful scale.
Let's Write NEOCLASSICAL and RAP Music with Harmonic Minor
A hands-on songwriting session using harmonic minor. Watch as we compose original music in neoclassical and rap styles using this versatile scale.
Exploring the Modes of Harmonic Minor
A deep dive into all seven modes of harmonic minor. Learn how each mode sounds, when to use them, and how they differ from the modes of major.