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.

Songwriting is an art form that requires creativity, imagination, and an understanding of music theory, but if we’re being honest, there’s also a degree of “fake it ‘til you make it.” And with that approach in mind, one technique you could try is to utilize classic chord progressions to write your own.

As a band leader or singer with professional ambitions, being able to describe the sounds we hear in music is crucial. In this course excerpt, Ashlee Varner provides a guide to discussing grooves.

Berklee Online course author Gabrielle Goodman discusses the vocal improvisation techniques of famous pop and R&B singers, many of which she has sang with.

Kim Perlak, chair of the Guitar department at Berklee College of Music, shares some key techniques that will add interest to your melodic improvisation on guitar.

Break out of your rigid DAW routines and learn how to improvise in Ableton Live with the help of Berklee Online music production course author Erin Barra.

Learn the 10 scales that cover 95 percent of all jazz improvisation situations with the help of Gary Burton.

Legendary vibraphonist and Berklee Online course author Gary Burton shares his jazz improvisation tips to make your next solo look and sound easy.

Berklee Online guitar instructor Thaddeus Hogarth demonstrates the importance of the pentatonic scale in funk and R&B music.