Free Music Lessons
95+ completely free lessons by Jake Lizzio on music theory, songwriting, chords, scales, modes, rhythm, guitar technique and more.
Playlists and Guides
Complete multi-part lesson series on specific topics
New To Music Theory? Start Here!
Most of my lessons require a basic understanding of music theory. Here's how you can gain those skills first.
How to Write Chord Progressions
Learn beginner to advanced harmony by crafting your own chord progressions in major and minor.
Understanding The Modes
Watch through these lessons, and you're guaranteed to never be confused by modes again
All Lessons
Every free lesson, newest first.
How Melodic Minor Actually Works
The melodic minor scale doesn't change with direction. See how it really works over the V chord, with examples from Carol of the Bells, The Beatles, Bach and jazz.
How Borrowed Chords & Modal Mixture Work in Minor Keys
You aren't limited to seven notes when writing in minor. Learn how the minor scale morphs into harmonic minor, Dorian, and Phrygian, and how to borrow their chords.
Creating The Impossible Rhythm Illusion From "The Odyssey"
How to recreate the "Risset Rhythm" in the Odyssey, which sounds like it speeds up forever.
Featured Lessons
My personal favorites. Start with the roadmap.
43 Music Theory Concepts Every Modern Composer Should Master
The complete music theory roadmap for self-taught musicians: 43 concepts in the exact order to learn them, from the musical alphabet to writing full songs.
Hemiola: What It Is and Writing Funky Jams With It
What hemiola really means (the 3:2 ratio), the vertical, horizontal and 3/4-over-6/8 kinds, and a funky B Dorian jam built from a horizontal hemiola.
Making Music with Pascal's Triangle + The Locrian Scale
The seventh and final episode - using algorithmic sequences to create music with the most challenging mode. Part 7 of the Riffing with Modes series.
Popular Lessons
Check out my most viewed videos!
Playing In Every Mode with ONE Tiny Scale Shape
Instead of learning thousands of scale shapes, learn how to use the ones you already have! This lesson demonstrates how the minor pentatonic shape can be used to play in all 7 modes by simply changing your root note.
How to Write Chords and Songs in Minor
A crash course in writing with the minor scale. Learn the chords, progressions, and techniques for composing emotional and powerful music in minor keys.
Stairway To Heaven's Mysterious Measures - The Bridge Rhythm Explained
The bridge section in Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is maybe the most mis-played section in classic rock history. This lesson breaks down the unusual time signature and rhythmic structure that makes this section so tricky.
Chords
These lessons explore specific chords, harmony concepts, or progressions.
How Voice Leading Creates Better Chord Progressions
Learn how voice leading transforms simple chord progressions into rich, professional-sounding arrangements. Discover parallel, similar, contrary, and oblique motion to write smoother harmonic movements.
The Music Theory of POWER CHORDS
Power chords are the building block of rock and metal. Their simplicity gives them unparalleled versatility — the ability to accommodate both major AND minor tonalities. Learn how they fit into your scale concepts and how to apply them.
How To Write Progressions With 7th Chords: maj7, m7, & 7
Learn how to use Major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7 chords in your progressions, adding more color and interest to your harmony.
Rhythm
Free lessons on rhythm concepts like hemiola, odd time signatures, polymeter, and more
Stairway To Heaven's Mysterious Measures - The Bridge Rhythm Explained
The bridge section in Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is maybe the most mis-played section in classic rock history. This lesson breaks down the unusual time signature and rhythmic structure that makes this section so tricky.
Creating The Impossible Rhythm Illusion From "The Odyssey"
How to recreate the "Risset Rhythm" in the Odyssey, which sounds like it speeds up forever.
Master the 3:4 and 4:3 Polyrhythm
Learn how to play and understand the most common polyrhythm in music. This lesson covers both 3:4 and 4:3 polyrhythms with practical exercises and counting techniques.
Scales and Modes
The seven modes, harmonic minor, pentatonics, and how to actually riff and solo with them.
Playing In Every Mode with ONE Tiny Scale Shape
Instead of learning thousands of scale shapes, learn how to use the ones you already have! This lesson demonstrates how the minor pentatonic shape can be used to play in all 7 modes by simply changing your root note.
Demonstrating All 7 Modes in Parallel
Building the modes in parallel (starting from the same root) allows you to see and hear the differences. Learn each mode's unique identity so you can easily identify it when you hear it and use it effectively in your own music.
Using Modal Mixture for Dreamy and Epic Lead Guitar
Modal mixture lets you swap between parallel major and minor scales over the same chord progression. Learn how to layer A major and A minor over an E / A minor vamp for dreamy, epic lead lines.
More Categories
Niche topics and everything else, one page each.