Studying guitar scales is fundamental to the mastery of the instrument, no matter what style you play. In these video tutorials, you’ll learn the beginner steps to start learning your guitar scales, from how to hold the guitar, how to play the C major scale, how to play the modes, and how to play in time.

One of the world’s leading scholars on emotional intelligence, behavior change, and leadership, Richard Boyatzis is putting his own research to practice while studying guitar at Berklee Online after a 60-year hiatus.

In this video, Senior Academic Advisor Mark Hopkins shares why he thinks guitarists like himself buy so many guitar pedals and so much gear. For one, it’s fun!

Mastering country music on guitar includes learning some of the same licks, tricks, and scales as other styles of guitar playing, but you also need to learn other phrases in the language of country music. Here is a quick primer.

We polled members of the Guitar Department at Berklee on the guitar-based songs they love the most. Some of the usual suspects are there—Hendrix and Van Halen, etc.—but you may be surprised by some of the songs that strike a chord with your instructors, including some acoustic picks!

If you own a Fender Stratocaster, you’ve probably already delved into the differences between the pickups. But listening to the tone of most guitarists you see playing a Strat, you’ll notice that the middle is probably the most overlooked pickup. Here is what makes it so special.

When it comes to guitar effects, most guitarists will begin their journey with distortion, fuzz, or overdrive. So what’s the difference? Guitarist and gear fanatic Mark Hopkins weighs in.

If you could only use one pedal for the rest of your guitar-playing life, what would it be, and why? That is precisely what we asked a number of the course authors in the Berklee Guitar department. Their answers may surprise you!

Hear how Alex Born took advantage of Prior Learning Credits at Berklee Online, which allows students to forgo up to 30 credits—that could be up to 10 courses that the student doesn’t have to spend time or money taking.