The theory book that starts at 1987
For adults who spent 30 years air-guitaring to Poison and never thought shred was theirs.
What players say
“I bought three subscription lesson apps over two years and learned exactly zero songs I cared about. Book 1 got me to my first Skid Row riff in a weekend.”
Dave M., age 47
“The tremolo picking chapter alone is worth twice the price. Six weeks in and I can keep up with the exercises at 80% of target tempo. First time I've felt like an actual player.”
Karen L., age 52
“Spent thirty years thinking theory was for jazz snobs. It is not. By chapter four of Book 1 I understood why every song I loved from 1987 to 1992 works. No subscription, no upsell. Just three books I own.”
Rob T., age 41
All reviews are from real buyers.
Theory as a power tool
Big Hair Theory is built entirely around glam metal. Every concept comes paired with a song or technique from the era, so the theory always lands where you can actually use it.
You start from zero. No prior theory knowledge required, no assumed technique. The books sequence the material so each lesson builds cleanly on the last. If you can hold a guitar, you can start Book 1 today.
One price, yours forever. No monthly fees, no subscription, no login after your first download. Buy it once, own the PDFs, work through them at your own pace.
The books
Book 1: Power, Grit, and the Minor Scale
Absolute Beginner Vol. 1. Eight lessons covering guitar setup and tuning, the musical alphabet and intervals, power chords and palm muting, the minor pentatonic scale, alternate picking, bends and vibrato, whammy bar basics, and a closing original 80s-style full-song arrangement. Every lesson pairs a tight theory chapter with an original composition echoing a named glam metal hit. Buy this first.
$27.00
Get Book 1
Book 2: Shred Mechanics
Intermediate Technique. Alternate and tremolo picking at speed, string skipping, simple sweep arpeggios, two-handed tapping intro, whammy bar dive bombs, and mode theory covering Dorian, Phrygian, and harmonic minor applied directly to glam metal soloing. Prerequisite: Book 1 or equivalent experience.
$26.00
Get Book 2
Book 3: Solo Architecture
Lead Guitar and Composition. Full solo construction, call-and-response phrasing, backing track use, 80s-style original song composition, and a guided recording exercise. By the end you are a player who writes and performs, not just one who imitates.
$28.00
Get Book 3Bundles
Starter Bundle: Books 1 + 2
Both beginner and intermediate volumes together at a saving. The fastest path from zero to real glam metal soloing. Download both the moment you pay and work through them back to back.
$45.00
Grab the Starter Bundle
Full Series Bundle: Books 1, 2 + 3
The complete Big Hair Theory series at roughly 20% off combined retail. One purchase, three books, everything you need to go from knowing nothing to writing and playing your own 80s shred solos. Own it permanently, no subscription required.
$68.00
Own the Full SeriesYou are not a subscriber. You are a player.
Every subscription platform charges monthly, teaches everyone from folk to jazz, and never quite reaches the songs you grew up with. Big Hair Theory is one price, yours forever, scoped entirely to glam metal.
What subscriptions give you
- Monthly fees that never end
- Jazz theory you'll never use
- Folk strumming patterns
- Generic beginner exercises
What Big Hair Theory gives you
- Three books. One price.
- Theory built for glam metal
- 80s song examples in every lesson
- Yours permanently. No login required.
Not ready yet? Stay in the band.
Drop your email and get a free sample lesson from Book 1, plus early access to new releases.