Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/guitar-scales-chord-progressions

Introduction

### Course Review: Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions on Coursera **Overview** If you have successfully navigated the basics of playing the guitar and are looking to add depth and flavor to your playing, then the course "Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions" on Coursera is tailor-made for you. This course is designed to elevate your skills from simply strumming chords to understanding the fundamental building blocks of music: scales, chord fingerings, and progressions. It integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, making it an excellent choice for intermediate players seeking to enhance their musicality and improvisation skills. **Course Highlights** The course is structured into several key modules, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter: 1. **Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions** - This introductory module sets the stage for what you can expect throughout the course. The instructor provides an overview and gives tips on how to maximize your learning experience, which is particularly useful for students who may be new to online courses. 2. **Scales** - The first practical module focuses on the pentatonic scale, which is a staple in many musical styles. You’ll learn how to navigate both the b3 and b7 pentatonic scales on a single string, enhancing your improvisational skills. The lesson also covers playing scales in a moveable open position, allowing for versatility across the fretboard. 3. **Arpeggios** - In this module, you’ll learn to play the individual notes of chords one by one. By focusing on major, minor, diminished, and augmented arpeggios, you will gain a deeper understanding of chord structure and develop your fingerpicking technique. This segment is vital for any guitarist looking to add a melodic flair to their accompaniment. 4. **Chords and Progressions** - Here, you’ll dive into practicing popular chords and their progressions, reinforcing your rhythm and timing. The inclusion of both open and barre chords ensures that you will be well-prepared to handle a variety of songs and styles, giving you a more comprehensive toolkit for your playing. 5. **Rhythm** - The final lesson emphasizes playing arpeggiated chords in differing rhythms, which adds an exciting layer to your music. You'll explore blues scales and synthesize everything you've learned, culminating in a powerful performance capability. **Why You Should Enroll** - **Structured Learning**: Each module builds on the previous one, fostering a smooth transition from basic skills to advanced concepts. - **Practical Application**: The course emphasizes hands-on practice, ensuring you can apply what you learn directly to your guitar playing. - **Flexible Learning**: Coursera’s platform allows for self-paced learning, which is perfect for fitting into your schedule. - **Credibility**: The course is backed by Berklee, a renowned institution in music education. Learning from industry professionals enhances your credibility and provides valuable insights. **Final Thoughts** "Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions" is an excellent course for those who have grasped guitar basics and are eager to refine their skills. Whether you're aiming to evoke emotion through soloing or seeking to add complexity to your accompaniment, the knowledge gained from this course will significantly benefit your musicianship. ### Recommendation If you're ready to transition from being a casual guitarist to a skilled musician, I wholeheartedly recommend enrolling in this course. You'll not only enhance your technical skills but also deepen your appreciation of music as you discover the artistry behind scales and chord progressions. Happy playing!

Syllabus

Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions!

Welcome to Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

In this lesson, we'll be learning and practicing the pentatonic scale. First we'll learn the b3 pentatonic scale, then the b7 pentatonic scale, and then we'll learn how to play the scale on one string. We'll also work on improvising using a single string. Finally, we'll practice playing scales in a moveable open position.

This lesson, we'll be working with arpeggios, which means playing the notes in a chord one at a time. We'll be learning and practicing major, minor, diminished, and augmented arpeggiated chords.

In this lesson, we'll begin practicing chords and popular chord progressions. We'll also begin practicing these progressions with both open and barre chords.

In this final lesson, we will focus on arpeggiated chords and playing them in different rhythms. We will also practice blues scales and finally, put all of these aspects together.