Full video lesson is now available for "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon! This song is easy to learn and can even be played on an acoustic guitar. Don't delay, you could be playing this chart-topping hit from 2008 right now!


Check it out here!

Many musicians overlook music theory and are often
intimidated by it. But I am here to tell you that
learning theory is one of the most valuable tools
you can have in your arsenal as a musician and that
it really isn't that difficult to learn. All you need
is a little self-disciple and the motivation to learn
a language that only a small percentage
of the population understands. Becoming
a master of music theory gives you the
ability to improvise and create highly
sophisticated music which many will envy
you for and you can be proud of.

The important thing is to make learning theory FUN. When I was young and learning how to play guitar, my teachers would teach me theory which bored me to death, and almost caused me to put the guitar down all together. What really inspired me to continue learning guitar was listening to my favorite bands and guitar heroes and learning how to play my favorite songs by them.

By mixing my practice sessions with both learning songs and theory I was eventually able to play the guitar as well as I can today. But I cannot say my skill came without substantial dedication and discipline. Sure, there were times I had to grit my teeth and practice something over and over until I got it. But the reward of eventually being able to play just about anything on guitar was well worth it. The ability to gracefully move around the neck without even thinking about it is something that cannot be bought and only earned.

The key to writing good songs is to understand how the creative process works. In short, one does not just sit down and write a song (or at least a good one with any real meaning and value). Songwriting, like any other creative endeavor, can be broken down into 3 steps:


INSPIRATION: The key to coming up with good song ideas is to know WHEN you are inspired. This can occur at any time in everyday life: Driving to work, walking on the street, cooking dinner, in the shower, or even when you are in bed about to fall asleep. A lyric or melody may simply pop into your head or you may be inspired by an external source such as a conversation, a captivating scene, or a sound coming from nature or the subway. The problem is that inspiration can strike any time, perhaps the most inconvenient of times.


PRODUCTION: Once you have an idea, it is important that you take ACTION and get that idea down into whatever medium necessary as quickly as possible. Write it down, hum it into a tape recorder, figure it out on your guitar, piano, saxophone. This is step that many of us often don't take and as a result the idea is forgotten, vanishes, wastes away, lost in the infinite realm of space, never to be seen again.


EXPANSION: Now that you have a starting point, decide where you want to go with the idea from there. Expand on your original idea. This can be difficult and frustrating. If you are stuck, leave it and come back to it again, tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year. There's no sense in rushing the creative process because you will end up with a product that you may ultimately not be satisfied with (unless of course, you have a deadline to meet). Continue to expand upon each idea until you feel like you have reached the end and there is no more to say.


MODIFICATION/REVISION: Now that you have a good first draft of your song, you may find that you would like to tweak or change some things here and there. Perhaps you couldn't think of that word that best conveys your message at the time or maybe you want to end that melodic line differently. It is almost guaranteed that you will want to change something in your song. The mark of a good songwriter is a certain degree of perfectionism and the desire to craft your song until it is perfect-- at least in your own mind. Some say a song is never complete as there are always new things that can be added and different ways to express ideas


Once you have completed your song, take a step back and look at your work of art. Take pride in what you've done. Writing a song is a rewarding and fulfilling experience.. You will find that the more you play or listen to your song, the more you will come to like it.


Have fun and good luck in your songwriting endeavors!


-Doug Penta

Now you can learn how to play the classic 90s hit "Wonderwall" from Oasis. This is a great song for beginners as it is just a few chords. Impress you friends with your ability to play this "campfire" favorite! Video lesson features complete song broken down into sections.


START LEARNING WONDERWALL NOW