If you’ve ever stared at a chord chart, tried to make sense of modes, or wondered “Why does music theory feel like learning algebra?” — you’re not alone.

Most guitarists struggle with theory.

But the truth is: it’s not your fault — it’s the way it’s usually taught.

💡 So Why Is Music Theory So Confusing?

Let’s break it down.

❌ It’s often taught backwards
Most players are shown rules before they’ve seen the musical results. You’re given terms like “major third” or “diminished triad” without knowing how they sound, where they live on the neck, or why they matter.

❌ Too much info at once
You get dumped with a mountain of concepts — scales, intervals, chord formulas — but no idea what to actually do with them.

❌ It’s disconnected from your playing
Many guitarists learn theory in a way that’s separate from how they actually play. If you can’t see it on your fretboard, hear it in your music, or use it in real time — it won’t stick.

🎯 What Guitarists Actually Need From Music Theory

✅ ...

So, you're thinking about going to uni to study guitar. Or maybe you're already halfway through filling out your UCAS application and wondering:

"Is this actually worth it?"

As someone who’s been through the system and gone on to work professionally as a guitarist, I want to give you a real, unfiltered look at what studying guitar at university is actually like — the good, the bad, and what you might want to consider instead.

🎓 The Pros of Studying Guitar at University

Let’s start with the upside — because there are genuine benefits:

✅ Time to focus on your playing
Three years to practise, jam, and immerse yourself in music? That’s a rare opportunity. For some, it’s the first time they get to really take it seriously.

✅ Networking
You’ll meet other musicians, producers, singers, and tutors. Some of those relationships can last a lifetime (and lead to gigs and sessions later on).

✅ Resources & facilities
Recording studios, performance spaces, masterclasses — stuff that would cost...

Let’s be real — the internet is full of guitar lessons.

YouTube tutorials, PDFs, free apps, 20-minute “shred in a week” ads… it’s a lot. And if you’ve ever tried to teach yourself guitar online, you’ve probably asked yourself:

“Can I actually learn guitar properly this way?”

Short answer: yes — but not all online learning is equal.

I’ve seen students waste years bouncing between random YouTube videos, and I’ve also seen players make serious progress with the right online approach. So let’s talk about what actually works… and what doesn’t.

What Doesn’t Work (Don’t Fall Into These Traps)

❌ Binge-watching random tutorials
Jumping between 10 different YouTubers teaching different techniques in different styles is entertaining, but it doesn’t give you structure — and you won’t retain much. It’s like learning a language by reading random words in a dictionary.

❌ Overcomplicated theory too early
I’ve seen beginner players thrown into jazz chord extensions and modal theory before they ...

 Let’s talk about the part nobody seems to cover properly:
How do you actually make money as a guitarist?

Not theoretical money. Real, pay-your-rent kind of money.

I’ll be straight with you — it’s not always easy. But it is doable, and you don’t have to be a famous YouTuber or shredding on a sold-out arena tour to get paid.

I’ve done it. I know plenty of others doing it too. Here’s how.

First Things First: Diversify

Most guitarists who make a living do a mix of things, not just one.

Here are the main ways players make income:

1. Live gigs – bands, solo sets, weddings, function gigs, cruise ships, festivals

2. Session work – recording guitar for other artists, producers, or companies

3. Teaching – in person, online, group classes, video courses

4. Content creation – YouTube, Instagram, lesson packs, Patreon

5. Licensing – recording music for stock libraries, sync, ads, film/TV

6. Remote recording – people send you tracks, you record from home

It’s like being a free...

One of the biggest questions I get asked is:
“How do I actually start getting gigs?”

Whether you're dreaming of playing in bands, backing artists, or even doing your own solo thing — getting your first few gigs can feel like trying to get into a club without a valid ID.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be the best player in town — you just need to be good, prepared, and easy to work with.

Let’s break down how to get started, even if you're new to the scene.

1. Start Local and Small (That’s Not a Bad Thing)

Forget stadiums — your first few gigs might be:

• A local open mic night

• Backing someone else’s original set

• Filling in for a cover band

• Playing acoustic at a café

• Performing at a mate’s birthday or wedding

That’s all great. Gigs like these build your confidence, teach you how to play in front of people, and (this is key) start getting your name around.

2. Let People Know You’re Looking

Seriously — this sounds simple, but it works:
Tell pe...

So, you want to be a professional guitarist? Nice. It’s a big goal — and yeah, it’s possible. But here’s something most people won’t tell you: you don’t need a music degree to make it.

I know that might go against what your teacher, your parents, or the guy at your local music shop says… but I’ve been through the degree route and the real-world grind, and trust me — there’s more than one way to make this career happen.

Let’s break it down...

Do You Really Need a Music Degree?

Short answer? Not necessarily.

Sure, music uni can be great for some things:

• You get structure, regular practice, and exposure to theory

• You’re surrounded by other musicians (which is motivating)

• You might even meet a few future collaborators

But here’s what they often don’t teach:

• How to get work

• How to network

• How to manage the business side of being a musician

• How to actually make money with your skills

When I graduated, I still felt underprepared for the r...

Let’s be honest — learning guitar online can feel like chasing your tail. One minute you’re watching a tutorial about barre chords, the next you're down a rabbit hole about alternate picking, and somehow you still can’t play that song you love without messing up halfway through.

I’ve been there. The internet is full of lessons, tips, and “must-know” tricks… but knowing where to start — and what actually matters — is a whole different story.

Why Learning Guitar Online Feels So Confusing

There’s no shortage of free tutorials out there. YouTube alone could keep you busy for the rest of your life. But here’s the problem:

• There’s no clear learning path — Just scattered lessons with no real structure

• A lot of it is taught by people who’ve never worked in the music industry professionally

• And there’s no one to actually help you when you get stuck

Learning online can work. But if you want to make proper progress, you’ve got to be smarter with how you do it.

Here’s ...

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...