Music Theory for Everyday Guitarists 1
About Music Theory for Everyday Guitarists 1 With Leah Kruszewski
Sooner or later, most guitarists become curious about how their instrument works. Initially, the guitar can seem like a jumble of strings, frets, and rote memorization. As we progress, patterns start to emerge in chord shapes, scale patterns, and chord progressions. Those patterns don’t explain themselves, but even the most fundamental music theory knowledge can illuminate their logic and help you use them effectively. Getting to know the language of music transforms the way you see the guitar and opens up new avenues for your playing.
This two-part course will walk you through the essentials of music theory as it applies to the guitar. In Part One (Winter 2022), you’ll learn to find the notes without a fretboard chart and how to form basic chords and scales independently of charts and tablature. In Part Two (TBD), you’ll build on your chord and scale knowledge of how chords function in a key, how the keys relate to each other, and how to transpose music from one key to another. We’ll focus on knowledge that applies to every guitarist, regardless of genre.
Each unit will present one building block of essential music theory. We’ll explore the concept both with a guitar in hand and using our minds and musical logic alone. You’ll end each class with a few assignments (some guitar-in-hand, some written) to reinforce and practice applying your new knowledge.
What’s Needed
Materials
Playing experience
No music notation involved!
You’ll learn the musical alphabet and note names (A, B, C, etc.) on day one, and we’ll use them constantly throughout the course. However, we won’t learn or use written music notation (that is, notes written on the staff). We’ll ignore it completely in the course, as most guitar styles don’t require it.
That said, if you already know music notation, you can apply and use that knowledge in all written exercises. In addition to writing out the note names for all the written exercises, transcribe everything to staff paper. All you’ll need in addition is plenty of staff paper.
When
The class will meet for ten weekly 50-min live online sessions at 1 pm ET | 10 am PT | 17:00 UTC on the schedule below. The first session is on September 10.
(Convert to my time zone)
Enrolled students receive lifetime access to the video recordings of the classes.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before each session's start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward. Contact us with any questions. This class, and all lessons and classes on Lessonface, are covered by the Lessonface Guarantee.
Book 1:1 online lessons with Leah Kruszewski on their Lessonface profile.
Leah Kruszewski
Multi-year Teacher of the Year for Flamenco and Classical Guitar, Leah loves introducing flamenco guitarists to the rhythms and melodies of southern Spain and guiding classical players as they develop their technique and repertoire. She also enjoys guiding beginners in Loog, fingerstyle, and acoustic guitar (ages 6 & up, please).
Students Say
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Dan P. on April 18, 2023
Class: Flamenco for Beginning Guitarists
Wonderful class. Leah is the best guitar teacher I have ever had. Thank you Leah. Looking forward to taking more with her.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lilo M. on April 18, 2023
Class: Flamenco for Beginning Guitarists
I loved the class. Leah‘s teaching is very clear and I appreciate the handouts and the class recording that came with the class. They gave me a good introduction to Flamenco Guitar and her teaching style which will help me decide where I want to go with my musical journey next. Thank you, Leah!
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Verified Student on April 18, 2023
Class: Flamenco for Beginning Guitarists
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Verified Student on March 21, 2023
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
Great class! Our daughter learned a lot and is ready for loog level one. Easy class format for her to follow along (mostly on her own) and Leah did a great job at providing feedback to each student.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Randy W. on March 20, 2023
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Petenera and Tangos
The class was fantastic. I learned flamenco compositions that I never would’ve dreamed of learning. Leah is a wonderful kind and supportive teacher. Can’t wait for more!
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Liam on March 20, 2023
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
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Maggie B. on March 5, 2023
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Petenera and Tangos
Bestest. Thank you so much, Leah
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Issy C. on January 17, 2023
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eric F. on January 15, 2023
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Petenera and Tangos
Fantastic class, as always! I was unable to attend live, but was able to watch the full class recording, which was fun and so helpful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mario C. on January 9, 2023
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
It was great experience. There were minor microphone issues on our end, but overall, it went well
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Verified Student on December 19, 2022
Class: Loog Two
My kids have learned so much from Leah! We were very impressed with this class and perfect for anyone with a Loog looking to dive in after learning the basics.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
David S. on September 5, 2022
Class: Loog One
Very interactive class. Leah is a great teacher, always motivating kids to give their best. My son, Maxime, is looking forward to his next loog class with Leah.
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Eric F. on September 4, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Granaína and Solea por Bulerias
Today's lesson was the perfect first class for learning Granaina and Solea por Bulerias. Nothing looks too difficult to learn, and at the same time, nothing looks too easy either. A great balance of technique explanations and compas. I'm really looking forward to next week's lesson!
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Jarek on July 6, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Seguiriyas and Alegrias
Great, challenging, sometimes, but fun. highly recommended!
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Paul M. on July 6, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Seguiriyas and Alegrias
Really good with a lot of new and challenging pieces to learn. All were explained and taught thoroughly and access to the videos is very helpful
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Verified Student on July 5, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Seguiriyas and Alegrias
Interesting with new palos, which will require more work to incorporate into my learning
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Verified Student on June 24, 2022
Class: Loog One
Leah does such a great job organizing the class and teaching the fundamentals. Our daughter has learned SO much and really enjoys herself each class.
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Verified Student on June 14, 2022
Class: Flamenco for Beginning Guitarists
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Verified Student on June 14, 2022
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jarek L. on May 8, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Fandangos de Huelva and Tarantos
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Verified Student on April 13, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Seguiriyas and Alegrias
Challenging
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Ami S. on March 21, 2022
Class: Music Theory for Everyday Guitarists 1
This class was worth every moment! Leah is so knowledgeable and covers an impressive amount of material in this course. My musicianship was taken up several levels by the material in her course. I highly recommend any interested guitar player to roll up your sleeves and check out this value-packed class.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lou D. on March 20, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Farruca and Guajira
As always, lessons with Leah are great, well explained and technically challenging. Since I've been taking lessons with Leah, my guitar playing has improved greatly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eric F. on March 20, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Farruca and Guajira
As always, it was a real privilege to be in this group! Leah's teaching style is perfect--so much is covered in each lesson, but never at a pace that's too overwhelming. She has a wonderful sense of where we are, which must be very difficult, as everyone's at a different playing level. We are encouraged to ask questions and to share answers as well as play something if we so choose. Besides all these points, I'd just like to mention how incredibly helpful it is to review the recordings from each week's lesson. I'm really looking forward to the next class, beginning May 1--meanwhile, I've got plenty of material to practice!
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Jack B. on March 20, 2022
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Farruca and Guajira
Very informative and a challenge for me
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Verified Student on March 20, 2022
Class: Loog Guitar for New Musicians - Loog Level Zero
Leah was AMAZING!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eric F. on September 26, 2021
Class: Exploring Flamenco: Fandangos de Huelva and Tarantos
This was a fantastic lesson today! Leah's pace was just right for my playing ability--she want slowly enough so that I could keep up and yet not too slowly, thus keeping things challenging. I like the way she always demonstrates how to play things in a basic way and then shows us a "fancier" more musically interesting way to play it. Very much looking forward to next class!
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Hayes D. on July 27, 2021
Class: Spanish Fingerstyle Guitar with Leah Kruszewski
Leah is very attentive. She gives you multiple chances to understand what she`s talking about. She gives examples at the beginning of the class, explains how to do what she is teaching, takes questions, excepts different interpretations and points of view, and gives students a chance to play. She also gives examples at the end, first playing slowly, and then faster, so that we really get to hear the piece and appreciate its potential. Thanks Leah!
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Neil G. on May 11, 2021
Class: Rhythm and Rasgueos for All Guitarists
exciting and challenging new tools. Looking forward to the next class.
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Liga V. on March 20, 2021
Class: Spanish Fingerstyle Guitar with Leah Kruszewski
My son has been taking group lesson since January and is having a lot of fun learning a new song every week. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Liga V. on February 17, 2021
Class: Spanish Fingerstyle Guitar with Leah Kruszewski
Wonderful class. Teacher slowly explains the song and my son is able to learn it. Thanks so much!
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