Music Theory is very useful because knowing it not only makes you a more competent musician, it helps you understand how to make great song arrangements. We’re running a special on our Reading Music and Music Theory Courses.

I made you this short video lesson on how to change a song 4 different ways. There are hundreds of ways to play any song. Try out this one, ‘Away in a Manger’, and let me know what you think.

I recently uploaded a post around the song ‘Heavenly Father.’ That actually has several other examples of changing the arrangement of a song and making it your own. It has three verses and each is unique.

There were requests for the specific arrangement in the video, so I made a guitar lesson around it…. Heavenly Father Guitar lesson.

An easy way to vary a song is by changing the right-hand patterns. There are many different strumming and finger-picking patterns that you can use. You can also change the chords. I don’t get into the many varieties of chord substitutions, but do change the chords all to 9 chords.

You can hear it in the last version of ‘Away in a Manger.’ Using 9s is a quick and easy way to add interest to your songs. Besides changing the color of a specific chord, there are also other types of chord substitutions.

You can look at a chord chart to see how to hold down these types of chords, but it’s actually the best to understand how they are formed so you don’t have to always have a chord chart with you.

As music majors in college, we were required to take music theory classes. I’m grateful for the education I had and hope to share it with you.

Wishing you a lifetime filled with beautiful music!