Mahalo's Intermediate Guitar Course
The Intermediate Guitar Course
Course Introduction
- Welcome! 1:17
- Meet Your Host 5:33
Part 1: Building Chords
- Lesson 1: Intervals 101 2:30
- Lesson 2: The 5th Interval 2:03
- Lesson 3: The Third Interval 1:50
- Lesson 4: The Major Third 1:38
- Lesson 5: The Minor Third 1:21
- Lesson 6: Power Chords 5:14
- Lesson 7: Bar Chords 4:11
- Lesson 8: The A Chord 2:49
- Lesson 9: The F Chord 3:10
- Lesson 10: The E Chord 2:35
- Lesson 11: The B Chord 2:21
- Lesson 12: Arpeggios, Part 1 3:23
- Lesson 13: Arpeggios, Part 2 2:47
- Lesson 14: Arpeggios, Part 3 3:48
Part 2: Knowing Your Scales
- Lesson 15: Degrees of the Major Scale 2:56
- Lesson 16: Major CAGED System - C Position 4:41
- Lesson 17: Major CAGED System - A Position 3:07
- Lesson 18: Major CAGED System - G Position 3:30
- Lesson 19: Major CAGED System - E Position 3:24
- Lesson 20: Major CAGED System - D Position 3:21
- Lesson 21: Minor CAGED System - C Position 2:42
- Lesson 22: Minor CAGED System - A Position 2:56
- Lesson 23: Minor CAGED System - G Position 2:18
- Lesson 24: Minor CAGED System - E Position 2:26
- Lesson 25: Minor CAGED System - D Position 2:30
- Lesson 26: The Major Pentatonic Scale 2:55
- Lesson 27: The Minor Pentatonic Scale 2:58
- Lesson 28: The Blues Scale 2:53
- Lesson 29: The Harmonic Minor Scale 2:22
- Lesson 30: The Melodic Minor Scale 1:49
Part 3: Applying Your Knowledge
Course Conclusion
Lesson 1: Intervals 101
This may be a reminder for those of you who took Mahalo's Beginner Guitar Course, or this may all be new to you. Either way, this lesson is absolutely vital for the continuing education of any guitarist. Ben will guide you through the basics of musical intervals and show you why they are so important.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 2: The 5th Interval
Now it's time to get into the different kinds of intervals and how they pertain to playing the guitar. Ben will guide you through the ins and outs of 5th intervals.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 3: The Third Interval
Continue your training with Ben as he discusses the most important interval to learn about: the third interval.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 4: The Major Third
Now that you've been familiarized with the third interval, let's take a closer look at the major third. Ben will show you how to play the major third and what that means in the context of chords and scales.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 5: The Minor Third
Now, let's take a look at the minor third. Ben will show you how to play the minor third and what that means in the context of chords and scales.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 6: Power Chords
We've finally come to the part of the course where you get to play guitar like a rockstar with power chords! If you know power chords, you can play thousands of rock songs, and Ben will show you how to master just this. There's also a hidden mini song tutorial in the lesson, enjoy!For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 7: Bar Chords
Along with power chords, learning bar chords is essential to mastering the guitar. They're difficult to play at first, but once you build those barring muscles, these chords feel like second nature. Ben will show you how to do this.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 8: The A Chord
The A major chord is another one of the most common chords in music. Countless songs incorporate the A chord including "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "Good Love is on the Way" by John Mayer, and "Across the Universe" by The Beatles.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 9: The F Chord
The F major chord is one of the most common chords played on the guitar. It is often played in open position (pictured left). Countless songs incorporate the F chord including "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles, "Don't Panic" by Coldplay, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 10: The E Chord
The E major chord is one of the most common chords played on the guitar. It is often played in open position (pictured left). Countless songs incorporate the E chord including "Melissa" by The Allman Brothers, "Santeria" by Sublime, and "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 11: The B Chord
The B major chord is one of the most common chords played on the guitar. It is often played in open position (pictured left). Countless songs incorporate the B chord including "With a Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles, "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and "Uprising" by Muse.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 12: Arpeggios, Part 1
Welcome to the three part arpeggio series in this course. Arpeggios are absolutely key to mastering the art of playing guitar. Arpeggios put chords in a different perspective in order to understand how they are built and how to use them in different ways. Prepare to have Ben expand your musical world.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 13: Arpeggios, Part 2
It's time to continue your arpeggio training. This second pattern will strengthen your dexterity and picking control. Once again, prepare to have Ben expand your musical world.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 14: Arpeggios, Part 3
Welcome to the final installment of your arpeggio training. This lesson focuses on the theory behind arpeggios and exactly why they're so important. Enjoy!For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 15: Degrees of the Major Scale
Before you start learning your basic scales, it's important to understand what scales actually consist of. Each note in a scale is designated a number or "degree." Ben will show you what these degrees mean and how they relate to playing different chord progressions.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 16: Major CAGED System - C Position
Welcome to the CAGED system series! Ben will guide you through this unique method, and you'll be playing major and minor scales all the way up the neck in no time.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 17: Major CAGED System - A Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the A position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 18: Major CAGED System - G Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the G position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 19: Major CAGED System - E Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the E position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 20: Major CAGED System - D Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the D position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 21: Minor CAGED System - C Position
Time to continue the second half of the CAGED System series with the minor versions of what you just learned. Ben will show you how to master these scales and complete the Minor CAGED series.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 22: Minor CAGED System - A Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the A position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 23: Minor CAGED System - G Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the G position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 24: Minor CAGED System - E Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the E position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 25: Minor CAGED System - D Position
Continuing with the CAGED Lessons, Ben will walk you through the D position.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 26: The Major Pentatonic Scale
Now that you've learned five different ways to play both basic major and minor scales, it's time to move on to some other scales. Let's check out the major pentatonic scale.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 27: The Minor Pentatonic Scale
Continuing in the pentatonic vein, let's venture onward into the world of minor pentatonic.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 28: The Blues Scale
It's time to mix it up a bit with some blues. This scale is arguably the most popular scale in the guitarist's repertoire. Ben will show you this scale and how to use it in the context of rock and blues music.For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 29: The Harmonic Minor Scale
There are many different kinds of minor scales, but the two most common for a guitarist are the harmonic minor and the melodic minor scales. Let's take a look at the harmonic minor scale.
For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 30: The Melodic Minor Scale
Now, it's time to learn your final scale for this course. Ben will introduce you to the world of melodic minor. Check it out!For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 31: "Melissa"
We've finally come to the part of the course where you get to put your intermediate knowledge to the test with some classic rock songs. Your first song is the very beautiful song, "Melissa", written and performed by The Allman Brothers. Enjoy!For the full lesson, click here!
Lesson 32: "The Wind Cries Mary"
Now, check out another timeless rock n' roll classic, written by one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Jimi Hendrix. Ben presents: "The Wind Cries Mary."For the full lesson, click here!
References
Meet Our Expert
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Ben Jaffe
Meet Ben, one of Mahalo's guitar experts. Ben is an accomplished recording artist and has been a professional guitar instructor since 2006. He taught large classes of aspiring guitar students until 2008, then made the transition to being a private instructor. He also records, performs and tours with the band Honey Honey.
Intermediate Course Overview
Now it's time to continue your rock star guitar training! In this intermediate course, you’ll take your knowledge of chords and scales to the next level by learning the many different ways to play them as well as how they are so frequently incorporated into today's music.
Our expert host, Ben, will be showing you how to play bar chords, major scales, minor scales, pentatonic scales and a variety of exercises that will work your fingers to perfect these lessons. Also, just like at the end of the beginner course, you will learn two killer rock songs that will incorporate everything you will have learned in the course. So let's get to it! Also, if you haven't already, check out our first guitar newbies page.
Total Course Video Time (See individual video times below) - 2:12:16 (Plus a 5-10 min. quiz)
Estimated Course Completion Time - 4:00:00 (Including video lessons/accumulative practice time)
Practice - At least a total of 20 minutes a day focusing on each lesson you've completed
Big Hitting Mahalo Guitar Videos
Check out five of our most popular guitar videos featuring a collection of Mahalo's guitar experts past and present. Explore below!
