Ep180 Q&A Song Tempos - Warm-Ups - Ear Training - Modes - Chord Extensions & More
Guitar Music Theory
Desi Serna
4.6 • 931 Ratings
🗓️ 28 November 2025
⏱️ 59 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this Q&A episode, Desi answers listener questions on a wide range of guitar topics—including how to choose the right song tempo, whether you need warm-ups, practical ear-training methods, when to use modes, and how chord extensions actually work. You'll also hear tips on improvisation, fretboard navigation, and developing better musical instincts.
If you're looking to deepen your understanding of both the technical and musical sides of guitar, this episode is packed with clear explanations and real-world examples to help you grow as a player.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | In episode 180 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I answer listener questions about song tempos, warmups, ear training, modes, chord extensions, welcome to the guitar music theory podcast. |
| 0:36.8 | If you're drawn to the magic of guitar music |
| 0:39.1 | and want to understand the theory behind the sounds you love, you're in the right place. |
| 0:43.6 | I'm Desi Cerna, your host and fellow guitarist and author of fretboard theory, guitar theory for dummies, |
| 0:49.5 | lead guitar unlocked, and more. In each episode, we dig into the world of guitar and music theory, breaking |
| 0:55.4 | down concepts, and giving you practical tips you can actually use. We cover chord progressions, |
| 1:01.0 | scales, improvisation, and everything in between, helping you make sense of the fretboard |
| 1:05.6 | and play with more confidence and clarity. Today, in episode 180, I answer listener questions about playing songs, |
| 1:13.6 | practicing effectively, and understanding guitar theory. We talk about whether it's okay to slow down a song when performing it live, |
| 1:20.6 | whether you need warm-ups before practicing, and how many songs you should work on at once. You'll also |
| 1:26.4 | hear questions about modes, chord |
| 1:28.3 | extensions, unusual chord changes in classic songs, and even a call from a listener named Dan |
| 1:35.1 | Daniels. Altogether, there are lots of practical tips, real-world examples, and music |
| 1:40.7 | theory insights packed into this episode. It's going to be a great discussion, but before we |
| 1:45.9 | get started, what should you specifically be working on right now in order to become a better |
| 1:51.1 | guitarist? Go to my website, guitar music theory.com, answer the question I ask you about your |
| 1:57.4 | playing, and I'll send you free custom video instruction that's calibrated |
| 2:01.5 | to your current level. Whether you're a beginner still needing to learn the basics, or you need |
| 2:06.6 | help with bar chords, finger picking, guitar soloing, or you just want to delve deeply into music |
| 2:12.4 | theory, I have a free course for you. I can provide you with a step-by-step plan to fill gaps in your |
| 2:18.5 | playing, make your best progress, and reach your music goals. Enroll in your free video course |
| 2:24.2 | now at Guitarmusic Theory.com. You can click on the link in the podcast show notes. And finally, |
... |
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