Music theory.
Finally
makes sense.
Four music theory courses built specifically for guitarists — including the audio companions to James's best-selling No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists books. No piano diagrams, no classical jargon — just practical theory you can apply to your playing straight away.
All courses included in your TGL membership from day one.
One membership. 25+ courses. All theory content included. $20/month.
Audio Course
No Bull Music Theory Vol. 1
Audio Course
No Bull Music Theory Vol. 2
Video Course
Circle of Fifths Secrets
Video Course
Rhythm Reading Masterclass
All four courses — included in your TGL membership
Theory written
for guitarists.
Most music theory books are written for pianists and adapted for everyone else. That means keyboard diagrams, treble clef notation, and examples that don't translate directly to the guitar neck. James wrote the No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists series to fix that — practical theory explained in guitarist's terms, with workbooks to reinforce every concept.
The audio courses bring those books to life. Each one is a full audio walkthrough of the book — ideal for listening while you practice, commute, or warm up — paired with the written workbooks so you can work through the exercises properly.
Circle of Fifths Secrets and the Rhythm Reading Masterclass round out the theory library with dedicated video courses on two of the most practical theory topics for guitarists.
Audio Courses — Listen Anywhere
The Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 audio courses are full audio walkthroughs — perfect for absorbing theory concepts while you practise, commute, or have a guitar in your hands. Workbooks included for the exercises.
Based on Best-Selling Books
The No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists series has helped thousands of guitarists finally understand theory. These audio courses are the companion learning experience — same content, structured for active listening.
Practical, Not Academic
No classical jargon, no piano diagrams. Every concept is explained in guitarist's terms and shown in the context of real playing — so you can actually use what you learn.
What's included
All courses included in your TGL membership from day one.
Music Theory for Guitarists
Vol. 1 — Audio Course
The audio companion to James's best-selling No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists Vol. 1. A complete walkthrough of the fundamentals — notes on the fretboard, intervals, major and minor scales, chord construction, and how keys work — all explained in guitarist's terms with no piano diagrams in sight. Workbook included.
- The musical alphabet, tones and semitones
- The major scale and how it's built
- Major and minor triads — and major scale intervals
- Chromatic intervals and how to use them
- Major keys (Parts 1 & 2) and chord progressions
- Pentatonic scales, the natural minor scale and minor keys
- PDF workbook with exercises for every chapter
Music Theory for Guitarists
Vol. 2 — Audio Course
The audio companion to No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists Vol. 2 — picking up where Vol. 1 left off and going deeper into the theory that makes solos and songwriting click. Modes, advanced chord types, chord progressions, and how to use theory creatively in your playing. Workbook included.
- Sus chords and compound intervals
- Key signatures and triad inversions for better progressions
- Major and minor add9 chords
- The Circle of Fifths and 7th chords
- Roman numerals, chord progressions and modes
- PDF workbook with exercises for every chapter
Circle of Fifths Secrets
The Circle of Fifths is one of the most useful tools in music — but most explanations make it look like abstract maths. This course strips it back and shows you exactly what it means for a guitarist: how to use it to understand keys, predict chord progressions, and navigate the fretboard with more confidence.
- Introducing the Circle of Fifths — what it is and how to use it
- Secret 1: Learning all the notes on the fretboard with one simple system
- Secret 2: The best practice tool you've never used
- Secret 3: Learn I-IV-V and 12-bar blues progressions in every key
- Secret 4: Finding the relative minor quickly and easily
- Circle of Fifths wall chart and blank worksheet included
Rhythm Reading Masterclass
Reading rhythm notation is one of those skills most guitarists skip — and then struggle with whenever they try to learn from written music or tab. This masterclass teaches you to read rhythms confidently, from basic note values right through to syncopation and dotted rhythms, so you can learn any piece faster and play more accurately.
- Time signature basics — understanding 4/4 time
- Note values and how to count rhythms properly
- How rhythm reading helps you learn licks faster
- Play-along exercises using Soundslice tab player
- Rhythm basics guide, reading exercises & Guitar Pro file included
Theory Courses + 25+ Full Courses. One Membership.
Your TGL membership includes all the theory courses plus the entire TGL library — blues, rock, technique, workshops, and more. Everything James has built, available from day one.
Author of 17+
Guitar Books
James Shipway
Guitarist, Teacher & Author
I wrote the No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists series because I kept seeing the same problem — guitarists who could play reasonably well but had huge gaps in their understanding of music theory. Not because they weren't capable, but because every theory resource they could find was either confusing or written for pianists.
The books became best-sellers. The audio courses let you absorb the same content in a completely different way — listening while you play, while you warm up, while you commute. The same material, but in a format that fits around your practice time.
Whether you're starting from scratch or filling in gaps you've always had, these courses will give you a solid, practical understanding of music theory — explained by a guitarist, for guitarists.
Choose Your Plan
All plans include full access to every course. No locked content, no upsells.
Monthly & Annual include a free 30-day trial. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial.
Monthly
Billed monthly · Cancel anytime
- All theory courses
- 25+ full courses
- PDF workbooks included
- New content added regularly
- 30-day free trial
6 Months
One payment · No auto-renewal
Save ~9% vs monthly
- All theory courses
- 25+ full courses
- PDF workbooks included
- New content added regularly
- No free trial — one-time payment
Annual
$16.58/month billed annually
Save $41 vs monthly
- All theory courses
- 25+ full courses
- PDF workbooks included
- New content added regularly
- 30-day free trial
Common Questions
Do I need to own the books to use the audio courses?
No — the audio courses are standalone. PDF workbooks are included so you can work through all the exercises without needing the physical books. That said, if you have the books they pair together really well.
What level are these courses pitched at?
Vol. 1 starts from the beginning — even if you know very little theory, you'll be fine. Vol. 2 picks up where Vol. 1 leaves off and goes into more advanced territory. Circle of Fifths and Rhythm Reading are self-contained and suit intermediate players upwards.
Are the audio courses just recordings of the books being read out?
They're audio walkthroughs of the content — James takes you through each chapter with explanations, examples, and context. They're designed to be listened to actively, with the workbook open alongside so you can complete the exercises as you go.
Can I cancel if the membership isn't for me?
Yes — cancel anytime from your account settings. Monthly and Annual plans also start with a 30-day free trial, so you can explore everything before you're charged. The 6-Month plan is a one-time $109 payment with instant full access — there's no trial and no auto-renewal, so there's nothing to cancel.
Can't find your answer? Email [email protected]
Theory that
actually sticks.
30-day free trial on Monthly & Annual plans. 6-Month plan is a one-time payment, no trial, no auto-renewal.
One membership. 25+ courses. All theory content included. $20/month.