Have you always wanted to play the guitar, but never knew where to start? Whether you’re just picking up the guitar for the first time or you just want to brush up on your skills, the Guitar Techniques specialization created by Berklee College of Music will help you practice the techniques you need to bring your playing to the next level. Throughout this 16-week specialization, you’ll lay a firm foundation by learning and practicing major, minor, and pentatonic scales as well as triads and chords. You’ll also practice improvising, writing melodies and licks, and playing through lead sheets. By the end of this specialization, you’ll have learned the skills and confidence to perform your favorite songs in front of an audience.

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How to Play Guitar Specialization
Learn to play the guitar in under four months. Everything you need to know to be able to play your favorite songs



Instructors: Thaddeus Hogarth
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Specialization - 4 course series
What you'll learn
Identify string names and numbers and read music notation, tablature, chord block diagrams, and fretboard maps
Practice picking, finger picking, and strumming patterns
Play various chords including major and minor triads, open, barre, and pose chords
Read and play a lead sheet
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Play scales in a moveable open position
Identify and play major, minor, diminished, and augmented arpeggios
Add rhythmic timing to arpeggios and strumming to enhance your playing
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Look at a lead sheet and play chord voicings
Construct triads, 7th chords, and inversions
Play and know the voicings of various chord qualities such as a major triad, minor triad, dominant 7, and gospel chords
Play triads over bass notes
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Develop warm-up techniques to prepare for ensemble playing
Identify and play common chordal accompaniment
Demonstrate ensemble playing techniques while performing
Skills you'll gain
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
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Frequently asked questions
The total length of the specialization is 18 weeks.
No prior music knowledge or guitar skills are necessary.
We highly recommend you complete the courses in the recommended order:
Guitar for Beginners
Guitar Scales and Chord Progressions.
Guitar Chord Voicings: Playing Up the Neck
Guitar Performance Techniques
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Financial aid available,