In this lesson we will break out of playing chords in open position (the first 4 frets) and discover triads (the 3 main notes that define a chord) and full chords across the guitar fretboard. Then we will look at how major chords are built using a major third interval and a minor third interval.

If you are struggling with playing chords past the fourth fret in the key of C major, this post is an essential first step in unlocking the guitar fretboard. Third intervals are in every major and minor chord, so becoming familiar with these will help you understand chord structures. These exercises are also great warmups.

When you hear the term “intervals” do you think of guitar chords and harmony or lead lines and solos? Either way, intervals are the foundation of both! Although they may seem boring or unimportant, understanding the different intervals are and how notes relate to each other will help you improve your rhythm and lead guitar skills.

Chords changes can be nerve-racking sometimes, but a guide finger may be the solution to help you transition up and down the guitar fretboard. You may already use guide fingers when changing chords on guitar and might not even know it. Let’s look at how you can use guide fingers to make your chord transitions even smoother.

Are your eyes glued to your guitar instead of the music or even your audience? By using a pivot finger, you can play chords that require less finger movement and little to no looking at your hands.

Do your worship team rehearsals drag on? Does it feel like everyone is helping one musician learn a song for the first time? These may be signs that your rehearsal time is being hijacked into a personal practice time. This post will outline a proven method and ideas to accelerate your personal practice in preparation for a great rehearsal.

Are you ready to learn chords in the key of D major? This post will explain why certain chords are included in the key of D and how to play them on your guitar. You’ll also learn some simple patterns you can use to figure out what chords are in other major keys.

This post will help expand your chord vocabulary to include chords in the key of C major. If you’re not quite familiar with what chords are included in the key of C or how to play them, this is the perfect starting point. You’ll also learn some useful patterns to add to your musical tool belt.

This post will help expand your chord vocabulary to include chords in the key of G major. If you’re not quite familiar with what chords are included in the key of G or how to play them, this is the perfect starting point. You’ll also learn some useful patterns to add to your musical tool belt.

Don’t stay stuck not knowing anything about open strings or the notes on your guitar. Discover the open string note names, the musical alphabet, and how you can play them on your guitar in this detailed post.

I want to share how you can use the Worship Guitar Academy (WGA) website to successfully join and serve your community as well as some important thoughts about worship, guitar, serving, and leading. Let’s dive in.

If you’re going to play acoustic guitar, there’s a few accessories you will probably need. Sure, you could play finger-style guitar and tune by ear, but these few accessories will enhance your experience and protect your guitar.

Imagine yourself in a worship rehearsal. A team member is trying to share an idea of how the team could play a new song, but it’s just not making sense. If everyone knew the same basic terms used to describe sections within songs, there wouldn’t be any confusion.

Transitions don’t always have to be the same, and when it comes down to it, they shouldn’t. If every song started with the same intro after each song ended the same way things would get boring really fast.

Some people roll their eyes at the mention of theory and scales, but you don’t have to be one of them. In this post I’m going to share some practical knowledge with you about something that will be foundational in your rhythm and lead guitar playing for years to come, major scales and the formula (pattern) to build them.

In this post I’m going to cover the 4 guitar roles in a modern worship team: rhythm acoustic guitar, rhythm electric guitar, lead electric guitar, and lead acoustic guitar. I’ll wrap up by covering how some experienced guitarists can fulfill multiple roles during the same set.

Every worship team uses them. Every song changeover needs one. The congregation has been trained to expect them. Is your team using the same song ending for nearly every song?

On a contemporary worship team, your sole job as a rhythm guitarist is to play the right chords, at the right time, in the right rhythm, and at the right tempo. When you do all 4 of these things during a worship set, you’re fulfilling your role.

Lead guitar is and probably will be for a while, at least, the more enticing of the worship guitar roles. I mean why not? But here’s why you need a solid foundation in rhythm guitar before moving to lead.

It’s easy to get confused with the lingo used by musicians, especially if you’re new to music or only play one instrument (which is most of us). The point of this post is to clarify the most commonly used terms by musicians and specifically by church worship teams, to help you and your team better communicate your musical ideas.