Music Theory is EASY (if you play guitar)

[@zombieguitar]

Stop by and check out ye ol' website 😁...www.ZombieGuitar.com

[@georgeaye7535]

hey Brian, i lost my membership log in to your site when you changed the format, how can i contact you by mail since i"m not on facebook? cheers

[@zombieguitar]

@@georgeaye7535 hey George just shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@vomito72]

that's it , it's a good lesson mate, to learn guitar seems difficult and actually it is but understand music is not especially for what follow harmony and easy chord progressions ...not all but mostly it is

[@tooofart]

I started playing in 1992 with tabs. You learn to play the music you like, but you don't learn "why" all this makes sense. After learning hundreds of songs, you get to realize there are patterns that come back, but still can't make sense of it. These videos coming out lately are so eye opening, how to find the key, finding the relative major/minor, which gives the pentatonic home box and the pattern of notes in the major key. It finally starts to make sense. KZbin - what a great platform for knowledge sharing. Thanks for sharing the knowledge, and presenting it in a simple way, rather than try to gatekeep the info as many have done for decades.

[@uglytuco3829]

Same here. Great decade of music during which to learn an instrument. All the guitar mags had a tab with a full breakdown.

[@vomito72]

how you did find tabs in '92 mate??? i started playing around end of '80 and yes around '92 they sold few tabs books but they were totally wrong ..I started see all the tabs came around much later around 2000 with internet ..but still nowadays tabs are almost always wrong 😂

[@tooofart]

@@vomito72 tab books from the music store. They were not great but it's all I had :/ I still have all my books, errors and all !

[@vomito72]

@@tooofart yep it was completely different , now there are much more informations available to everyone on how to play an instrument

[@brandonlesko3126]

Try the note finder exercise where you locate every A. Then do the same for every B, etc. You'll notice a pattern. Use that pattern to quickly find your way around. Use the dots or the inlays on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, & 12th for the fifth & sixth strings and memorize these notes. It makes it easy to know where you are at any given time.

[@leoolivero963]

How good & informative was that "rant" !?! You're definitely one of the best guitar teachers on social media. Thanks Brian.

[@zombieguitar]

Thank you! I appreciate the words Leo 😀

[@robinanderson1115]

MY FAVOURITE TEACHER. BREAKS DOWN EVERYTHING . NO HOLDING ANY SECRETS BACK.

[@pm233]

Thanks Brian, I've seen people make this so complicated. Thanks for making it easy to understand.

[@torydutton9148]

I’ve seen a lot of your videos and there many great ones. But, this is a masterpiece. Starting by telling the story of learning the song/chord progression in the car is a hook like no other!!!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Tony! I've been wanting to share some more stores from when I was gigging full time. I just might do that. Thanks for listening 😃

[@rayross997]

Thanks Brian. I have always sought out the most simple way to understand guitar and music in general. You are a great teacher.

[@jordantaylor1988]

Awesome explanation of a topic that a lot of teachers tend to over complicate.

[@MrDoneboy]

We should call you the "Common Sense" guitarist, Brian. I used to play entirely by ear, without much knowledge of theory. It is truly great to play, and understand how theory works in music!

[@WarrenAndrews-w5x]

Awesome thanks brother from Warren in England. 😎

[@melancholicbttf9662]

Cool.. plain and simple! THX!!!

[@scottjones6624]

As always, super clear. Not a rant, just great teaching.

[@martynspooner5822]

I had been a bedroom guitar player for decades but the mention of theory would cause me to blank. I can say hand on heart Brian took me out of that and it basically happened by accident. A really good teacher is one that can teach you even when you think it is beyond you. I started watching one video and thought yeah I get that and then onto the next vid. Now theory does not freak me at all not to mention my playing and enjoyment all went up. I really owe this guy and highly recommend his stuff. Not saying it happened overnight but it surprised the shyte out of me how quickly I did twig and it has given me so much.

[@di4352]

Great lesson! Very clear explanations, I'm starting to enjoy guitar much more with this video.

[@murraycrawford2741]

Brian, thank you, I think you are wonderful in your delivery, personality, let alone musical knowledge. After diving into theory during cvid, I came to the realization that music is simple, conceptually as you explain. You have a Gift, my friend, best Wishes!!

[@Will-sh8kl]

Thanks brian! You're the best.. This is one reason I like STP so much. Dean is always throwing different chords in there. Not the same ol hum drum chords.

[@russellhenke793]

Thanks Brian, your explanations are relatable and invaluable. Thanks for all your lessons, its inspiring!

[@bryandraughn9830]

I can totally relate with your experience. After having played for several cover bands I wrote a list of all the songs I had learned and it was over 400 songs. By then it was easy to learn songs just by listening. Most popular music is so simple it's not even funny.

[@jmwsr474]

Best explanation of using the triads instead of weird cords. I've stayed away for songs I like that have the weird cored. Thank you!

[@pedraw]

You raise a lot of good points. I too figured out years ago when i was learning songs how much of the same thing there is.

[@DaithiDONKEYBIKE]

Hello Brian, A year ago I had two bass guitars and an interface with Ableton, happily trying to learn Bass...THEN...I came across your video on using a DAW and 6 weeks later had a Yamaha Pacifica and a Sebring SA200 semi-hollow (Korean copy of a 335). Love your videos, you're a gifted teacher and this video was particularly "Clarifying". I will in the very near future sign up for your course. Daithi

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Daithi! Glad to hear that these vids have been helpful. Any questions let me know, glad to help! 😃

[@chadmiller8725]

As a guitar player of 40+ years and a flight instructor of 35 years, many times you are trying to teach and convey the same things over and over yet use different techniques tailored to different students' learning capacities. As you mention Brian, you continue to harp on the same ideas, principles and theories over and over yet continue to put out different videos. I know you understand this fully and so please continue to navigate through the instructional phase by enlightening more with each new video. I absolutely cherish those light bulb moments when my students AND I get it and can relate when maybe the previous approach just didn't seem to click. Good stuff as always!!

[@Azizbasharat]

My Music Guru = ZombieGuitar= Brian Kelly 🎸👍❤️🙏

[@InsolentMusicalPeasant]

This is awesome. Best explanation of Music Theory I've ever seen. Had no idea it was all so easy.

[@axeworthy]

Thanks

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks so much Paul!!

[@axeworthy]

@@zombieguitar My pleasure Brian, since I first subscribed to your KZbin channel, as well as signing up on ZombieGuitar, your ability to communicate guitar and music theory is absolutely the best and really resonated with me, you've been the biggest motivator which got me back into playing guitar again. Not too mention, I can't tell you how many "aha moments" I've had since watching your channel. As I was watching this video other day it just struck me how great your channel is and I wanted to pass along a "super thanks", which I've never done before :). A small way to say a big thank you for all you do! Thanks again so much! Cheers!

[@axeworthy]

Was watching the "WTF is Guitar Theory" video....awesome title :)

[@frankaq3951]

Talk about trying to keep it simple. Another great lesson from Brian. Thanks.

[@tomrumsey2735]

I sent the link to this video to both of my guitar students. It’s very cool that you cover essentially the same things I do, but sometimes, hearing a different person say it differently makes it easier to understand. Since my students are “beginners” I’ve been having them use major and minor chords only until I can get them comfortable enough that I can sneak in 7ths, 9ths etc…. It was nice to hear I’m not the only one to use that little tactic. I can’t even begin to tell you how much your videos have helped me find ways to explain things. I’m looking forward to my guys watching this video so we can discuss at the next lesson. I’m ready for any questions they come up with. Keep doing what you do. I for one find your content a valuable resource THANKS!! 🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻

[@namelastname8872]

Super powerful lesson! Thx

[@garyeggleton1142]

this may be your best video for cover band musicians everywhere...I encourage all guitarists and bassists to watch all your videos

[@ORagnar]

10:57 "Axis of Awesome video" ... that's exactly what sprung to mind. It was circa 2009 I heard that. 7.o

[@FedericoOtto-ri7dg]

You're such a great teacher Brian, I learned a lot of your videos ..

[@zombieguitar]

Glad to hear it!

[@cryptoskywalker6000]

Generally speaking, I agree. And it's great advice. Learn your Intervals, your Nashville Number System, and their relationship to each other. That's basically what I hear you saying. 12 Intervals. 12 Keys. Slap a number on them. Easy pizza. Especially when you combine that with the prevalence of certain progressions. But, as someone who has been playing guitar since 1987, it's my opinion that music theory, on the guitar in this case, seems so simple . . . after you understand it. But that doesn't prevent it from sounding like gibberish before you understand it. And then of course you have the problem of the details. The strumming or picking patterns. Is there finger picking? Will Travis picking work? It there an Intro that the song can't live without? Do you intend to ever be able to play the solo, if there is one? I mean, there's a distinction between being able to play 100 different campfire strumming songs and playing the intro to Crazy on You or Roundabout. I've been playing for over 35 years, and I couldn't learn those by ear in 15 minutes while driving. So, your point is valid. If you know your Barre Chords and Open Chords, and you understand your Nashville Number System (which you can learn in an hour), then you have the foundation for every pop song in the Western cannon. But that doesn't mean you can play guitar. You still have to struggle with the actual playing of the instrument. Even if you're just a strummer. You've got to get really good at strumming. And, as someone who isn't the world's greatest rhythm player, you might even be a person who finds great rhythm to be just as difficult, if not more difficult, than great lead playing. I guess my point is, yes, Western popular music is mostly pretty basic. But the guitar is a bitch. It's not an easy instrument. I can't think of a single guitarist that has mastered it. Roy Clark might be the closest thing to a guitar master. He's a guy that would probably be just as comfortable in a room with EVH or Yngwie as he would Andrés Segovia or Paco Delucia. You can't say that about many guitar players. But, yes, for crying out loud, learn your Intervals and Nashville Number System. Anybody can do it in a few hours. It's not Rocket Surgery. Even Modes will start to make sense once you understand your Intervals. If I could go back and give the 13 year old me one piece of advice, it would be to learn my Intervals on Day 1. I can't tell you how much time I wasted not knowing what a flat 5 really was, other than the Blue Note. Once you know your Intervals, the entire language of music theory starts to make sense. You can figure out the fingerings of chord just by hearing its name. Ebm(maj7)b9#11b13sus2sus4/E(no.5) No problem. I know my Intervals. Therefore, that line of insane nut crackery actually makes some sense.

[@craigf.5855]

Been watching your videos for quite some time now... for whatever reason these videos resonate and I progress as a result. Thanks

[@casilatino]

The more expertise you have on a topic, the better you can simplify the topic into its basic elements. That’s what this video is all about and I loved it.

[@AlexEllwein]

I use to play E9 chord in Hotel California like this: 076777, if playing without a capo on 7th. A very funky chord :-)

[@NofreedomofspeechonYouTube]

Again simplified teaching before that I don't have clear idea about capo . Anyways if someone wants to learn hard way they have Lear chords shapes and types capo makes things easier but makes learner limited to simple chords. Thank you again.

[@LazloArcadia]

Thank you. Loved the video, very helpful.

[@harrybaughan6331]

Love this. Really helpful and so straightforword. Now how to develope the ear to hear what the 1 cord is vs 2,3,4,5, and 6 would be next.

[@thedude-jb7wx]

Brian here is the best teacher on you tube and i went to music school and folks this guy is the best ive seen and breaking things down. Harmonic Minor songs are cool and hip like the oldies Harlem Nocturne or Institutionalized by suicidal Tendecies also I put a Spell on you and all those dark songs . its in gmajor or e minor and all youre doing is making the 3 chord thats normaly minor and make it major( dominant for those a little more advanced but major gets you there. Now youre mister exotic scale dude sounding all smart. Theres a little more to it but not much and you can move that song around in different keys the same. music is bs EASY AND WERE BRAINWASHED INTO THINKING ITS ALL THIS SHT ITS NOT. Now time feel and soul will take you the longest

[@skynyrd26]

Brian thanks so much for your easy to understand way of teaching. I've been watching a lot of your videos and this one just gave me one those aha moments!! I live in Sarasota Florida now but originally from Philly - I guess that's why I just get ya yo. Took a Philly boy to keep it simple for me. Thanks again!!

[@mt-qc2qh]

This is the best music theory video here. Thanks, Brian. I watch this one repeatedly. It's sinking in...

[@deepakrebentisch9173]

You are a great teacher God bless you Sir

[@boburso8193]

Brian, this is a great video, KZbin has soooo many videos with systems and on and on … a lot of that info is crucial at some point . However for the average person that is lost due to overload your explanation is pure Gold !!! I enjoy your approach…. stress free!!

[@Deepblue466]

Great video Brian..

[@wentle1985]

Holy cow. I just learned more about theory, and in a way that actually make sense to me, from watching this video than in the last 23 years I've been playing. Some ideas I already had vague understandings of, but this put what little I did know in context with other things I did not know and painted a fuller picture that I can wrap my head around. I have some learning issues that make it hard to focus and follow alot of the time and another person with similar issues pointed me here by saying your methods made it easy for them to follow and understand. I completely agree with that from what I see here. I will be subscribing after seeing this. Thank you.

[@zombieguitar]

Glad to hear it!! Thanks for checking out the vid 😀

[@tugboatglass8588]

Great stuff, thank you for this .

[@francisg292]

This is so helpful it's got me picking up my guitar again many thanks

[@simonbarnes507]

Cheers I love your videos you are the only teacher on the internet that that explains things that make it easier to understand thank you for taking the time to share with us all you are a legend 👍👍🙏🙏

[@seanwalsh999]

Yes I had that revelation the other day, when I see all those fancy chords I used to panic, then I realized just strip it down to the triad or less, sometimes just a single note and work out the melody from that, in essence, that's all the Bass player is playing 90 % of the time any ways.

[@mohankumar-me4sn]

You are the best teacher

[@GaryBook]

Music Theory is easy because of Brian Kelly’s Zombie Guitar.

[@Douglas_I]

This is one of the best lessons I've watched on KZbin

[@bustov75]

Great explanation!!!!

[@FedericoOtto-ri7dg]

Wow, you're the best Brian, always!

[@luisquijije8412]

greetings from Ecuador blessings.

[@Steve-O-Florida]

Yeah man, I def. needed to hear the part about reducing certain chords to their triad simplicity. I have been doing that on occasion without understanding its fundamental process. Can always count on you for these quick fixes to my thinking, thanks - Steve O

[@brianstokes2633]

another good lesson. the number system. i would say when going out of key you can't go too far left or right. i mean you can but then you're changing keys.

[@roywiegman5517]

Here's another way to look at it: everything is a one-four-five: C F G = I-IV-V and Am Dm Em = i-iv-v (in harmonic minor it's i-iv-V or i-iv-V7). Agreed, it's not totally correct, but an easy way to give the 6 useable chords a place.

[@zombieguitar]

Great points!! 😁

[@gtrdoc911]

I absolutely agree Brian. Music theory is actually super basic grade one level math. It amazes me how many of my guitar playing buddies never get beyond the open cowboy chords even after years of playing. Having said that, the difficult part is getting the movements into your muscle memory. That is knowing music theory you can figure out how to play e.g. C#9#11b13 but to play that instantaneously takes years of practice. However I'm pretty sure there isn't a single song in the history of pop music that uses that chord. But basic stuff like 9's, sus 4's, augmented, diminished, etc. are easily put into your muscle memory. Anybody can achieve that with a curiosity to expand their musical knowledge and practice perseverance.

[@SteveJones379]

Great lesson Brian! Thank you!! ☮

[@jimaronson2323]

How many songs use the chords of A, D, and E? Tons!

[@bmoraski]

Love it Brian. You are such a good teacher. Thanks man.

[@Ynherag]

Only two amazing channels needed to learn guitar in modern days: Brian Kelly's & Brett Papa's.

[@jeffearle1687]

Brian! Point taken! Watching you every day! More than once if possible! This is the fast track!❤. Are you still gigging? You say you have songs you’ve written? Would like to check them out? You are making this so understandable! Just glad to have come across this! Thanks again!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Jeff! I have a mini playlist of some original instrumentals here on KZbin if you want to check them out! kzbin.info/aero/PLffJnnNpBoQQewvODl_2NEKGd11HS5Tbg

[@casilatino]

Good info! I loved this video!

[@roywiegman5517]

Love your vids. One correction though: transposable piano's do exist. I was with a friend in Switzerland and she had one. She told me there would be 5 of these instruments in the world. Below the keys there's a handle which can be switched to the left or the right. So the key of C can produce a C sharp or a D; etc. The whole system of hammers is replaced in a new position in order to let you play in a different key. Love from the Low Countries (NL)

[@zombieguitar]

Woah!! That sounds pretty awesome. I'm going to check those out right now 😁

[@roywiegman5517]

Up to this day I regret that I didn't take a look inside and make a picture. Later I tried to google it, but there were no results. Oh well, I could whatsapp her with the request to send me an image of the inside.

[@roywiegman5517]

There's one example on KZbin: "The Famous Heintzman Transposing Piano 1896".

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

Brian is a great teacher.

[@stainless641]

This will help a lot of players who don't know much theory to not be intimidated by it.

[@leoballance2363]

Magic!!😊😊

[@zazoomatt]

APPLAUSE to YOU my Friend. Boiled Piano Vs Keyboard. So I Commit to pushing and Practicing your LOGIC. I am just retiring getting my learning time recording.

[@GaryBook]

You can also use a capo to change the key.

[@Virtual-Media]

Thanks for another life changing lesson in logic..

[@MustafaBaabad]

Very interesting, entertaining and yet very informative and make us not being intimidated by limitless chord variations. Very encouraging and give us clear direction where to go. Cheers from Indonesia.

[@amc8954]

That is 'kin amazingly clear

[@nessadove1369]

Great video!!

[@royroadz6672]

Could you do a lesson on timing and some exercises that are more advanced ? thanks

[@zombieguitar]

Sure 😁

[@WoodyGamesUK]

Yeah it's ridiculously simple, I've played the piano since I was a child but it was pre-internet, and my teacher never told me anything about music theory, even though I was reading music and learning classical pieces. So there was no information to unlock even the basics. Thankfully at some point I started to figure out, by trial and error, then everything clicked. It also allowed me to start improvising for roc, pop songs, blues, even a bit of jazz. I would add that it's not THAT hard to transpose to a different key on the piano. If the music is learned note for note from sheet music then yeah it's gonna take a complete re-learn, but if it's your own arrangement which is basically based on improvisation, you can transpose on the fly (as long as you know your keys of course). And I'm not a pro. Professional piano players, jazz pianists, are insanely good at transposing.

[@Aaronius_Maximus]

Another great video, thanks as always for your time and effort breaking all this down. Your teaching style resonates with me better than anyone. 🤘🔥🔥🤘

[@ericchin739]

Heres another one. Mode shapes. The modes just repeat themselves like any other scale If you memorize the order of the modes and how they all fit together.... you can play in ANY key at all without ever having to think. Just start on the right note, and go through the patterns.

[@zombieguitar]

At 14:32 I talk about exactly what you are talking about, which is how the diatonic scale forms one gigantic "movable pattern" that is the same for all keys 😁

[@ericchin739]

@Brian Kelly Yeah exactly it!! I discovered this a few weeks ago and I was like.... ohhhhhhhh....that's the key!! (Pun intended)

[@thedude-jb7wx]

The song "Its my Life" is an amazing song that has a outside chord that leads to another key like Brian is talking about. With your ears find it if you can and realize its one chord that leads you to another numbered progression. Its a song that will help you understand a way to change keys and one of my favorites for that. Ordinary World by Duran Duran has more interesting song structure for a pop song with a solo that is simple but fits perfectly. Learn the solo to Shout by Tears for Fear for feel before you get into fast playing. Its about FEEL not speed and even Joe Satrinani said slow players that can get you there with less are the masters. MUISC IS EASY FOLKS ITS MOSTLY ABOUT FEEL. I think advanced theory and learning all that Ricky B stuff is awesome but start out with theory made easy like this to get a basic understanding. THIS CHANNEL IS AWESOME THIS GUY IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO TEACH HE BEAT ME TO IT.

[@Hebron666]

Holy crap this is awesome!

[@WilliamMartinez-lm1sk]

Hello, well explained. Thank for what you do. God bless you and your family. Great job. 🎼🎵🎙🎶🎚🎛🎹🎤🎧🎸.

[@dullsearake]

What are some other common progressions, besides the 1 5 6 4 example here? Great vid

[@matildastanford7019]

Ramble on and carry on wayward son. 😁 Great and informative video, thanks Brian

[@mikestroud9969]

That's how we learn by Repetition. Big B. Puts out detailed info. Circle of Fifths. . 😎👍👌💯💯🎸🎸

[@romanwestenholtz4396]

Another phenomenal Lesson!! I remember after playing for awhile it got to the point of hey that sounds like this or it sounds like that song the preverbial 'light bulb moment' haha the drummer and I would just blurt it out like c'mon man thats just like so and so just play it haha

[@tommore3263]

Terrific. Great mansplainin'.

[@bob5951]

I hear ya - I do the same thing but try it with aja or gaucho.

[@davidreally2639]

Once again, GOLD thank you :) !

[@crabbybastardguitars9955]

Thank you.

[@kristinajohansson5099]

I have played childrens song with chords for decades. And it gets so boring so you have to look for diverse chords than the 3 most obvious. Wish I have learnt about the circle of fifth and listen to you earlier. Now I have left the guitarr and play piano instead. Still very valuable knowledge.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

Great stuff!

[@bewusstsein3527]

welp if you are soloist you need to learn each note on the fretboard just like you need to learn every note of the piano.. you are a great teacher.. i wish you are my neigbhor..

[@zombieguitar]

You could also take advantage of the shapes that are formed on the fretboard, and recognize how all keys are related via intervals. By doing this, you can bypass learning all the notes on the neck. Of course, the more you know the better though, so learn as much as you can 😃

[@michaelsparkes3491]

Thanks for not being snoby .... Great stuff ..🙂🙂

[@jwon5614]

Brian you are completely AWESOME 😂❤

[@zombieguitar]

Hey I appreciate you checking out the vid! 😀

[@cancelbubble6535]

What were a couple songs you loved playing in your cover band days? How about a couple you hated playing?

[@zombieguitar]

I loved it when we covered "Hysteria" by Muse. That was one of my favorites! Towards the end, we were playing a lot of club/dance music...I wasn't a huge fan of that stuff. Not because I don't like the music, but because it was just super boring to play on guitar 🤣

[@mikecappadocia5959]

It's like they made the guitar to make learning theory easier with all the shapes and patterns available

[@marcelorodriguez9601]

Thank for the advice, I follow you. You make it simple, great great teacher… great.

[@cameodoneron]

I’ve practiced and studied this for 6 years now, and it’s all starting to make sense now… it’s still hard to hear the chord change and count and play and sing all at the same time. Do you have that lesson in your video catalogue already?