How Learning to Sight-Read Guitar Changed My Career (And Why You Should Start Now)

The Skill Most Guitarists Avoid

Sight-reading is one of those skills that most guitar players tend to dodge. It’s not often taught, and for many of us, TAB and our ears are the main go-to tools. That was definitely the case for me for years. I remember my music teachers saying a guitarist who could sight-read was worth their weight in gold — and as I got more serious about music, I understood why. Sight-reading on guitar is tough. Unlike piano, where each note has one clear place, the guitar lets you play the same note in multiple spots. Middle C can be played in at least two different places on the fretboard — and some notes appear in three!

It wasn’t something I took seriously early on. I avoided it for the same reasons many of us do — it’s intimidating, it feels slow, and honestly, I didn’t think I needed it. But when I decided I wanted to go professional, I knew I had to change that.

My Six-Mo...

Dorian vs. Mixolydian: Which Mode Should You Use in a Blues Solo?

When it comes to soloing over blues, most guitarists start with the pentatonic scale — and rightly so. It’s powerful, expressive, and easy to play. But what if you’re ready to go deeper? What if you want your solos to sound more colorful, more intentional, and more musical?

That’s where Dorian and Mixolydian come in.

In this post, I’ll break down what these two modes actually are, how they sound, and when you should use them in a blues solo. I’ll also show you how I personally approach this in real-world playing — no theory gatekeeping, just practical tools for making music.

What Are Dorian and Mixolydian Modes?

Let’s strip away the jargon and keep it simple.

• Dorian mode is like a minor scale with a raised 6th.

• Mixolydian mode is like a major scale with a lowered 7th.

Here’s how they look in A (since we all love A blues):

A Dorian:

A – B – C – D – E – F# – G
➡️ Minor sound with a slightly brighter...

Ever hear a chord in a song that makes you go, “Whoa — where did that come from?” Chances are, you’ve just heard modal interchange in action.

In this post, I’m going to break down what modal interchange is, why it sounds so cool, and how you can start using it to spice up your own playing — whether you're writing, improvising, or arranging. No jargon, no gatekeeping. Just real-world musical tools.

What Is Modal Interchange (a.k.a. Borrowed Chords)?

Modal interchange is when you temporarily “borrow” chords from a parallel mode — that is, a mode with the same root note, but a different quality.

So if you’re in C major, you might borrow a chord from C minor, C Dorian, or C Phrygian — just for a moment — to add color and contrast.

These borrowed chords create unexpected emotional twists. They sound dramatic, rich, or mysterious — because they don’t belong in your key, yet they resolve beautifully when used well.

A Quick Example (With Your Guitar in Hand)

Let’s say you’re playi...