Mar 5, 2026
In episode 184 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi Serna breaks down the most important scale shape on the guitar: Pentatonic Pattern 1. This versatile pattern forms the foundation of countless riffs, licks, and solos across blues, rock, and country.
Desi explains how the pattern is constructed, why it’s commonly...
Feb 12, 2026
The pentatonic scale is one of the most essential tools in a guitarist’s toolkit. In this episode, we break down what the pentatonic scale is, why it shows up in so many styles of music, and why it sounds so natural on the guitar. From Asian music to African drumming and Native American flute traditions, and then from...
Jan 23, 2026
In episode 182 of the Guitar Music Theory Podcast, I sit down with Mike Valeras, an adjunct guitar instructor at Belmont University here in Nashville, where he teaches commercial music and improvisation. Mike shares his guitar learning journey, early band experiences, and his formal music education, including earning...
Jan 3, 2026
In this episode of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, Desi is joined by his daughter Lila to look back at some of the biggest pop hits of 2025.
Together, they explore why these songs connect so strongly with listeners and what guitarists can learn from them. From chord progressions and melodies to groove, phrasing, and...
Nov 28, 2025
In this Q&A episode, Desi answers listener questions on a wide range of guitar topics—including how to choose the right song tempo, whether you need warm-ups, practical ear-training methods, when to use modes, and how chord extensions actually work. You’ll also hear tips on improvisation, fretboard navigation, and...