A friend (and future instructor for Just 2 Play Guitar) and I were discussing music theory the other day. Specifically, when and how to introduce it to a beginner student. Tough question and he has a lot of experience in this area. Over the last year, he has tried a few different ways and has settled on one. I teach more informally and typically get eyes glazing over when I venture into the topic. Here are our thoughts.
It is highly likely that you already know a bit about theory and don’t even realize it. If you can read chord charts and/or know something about changing keys, you have a couple of basics to build on. You probably know the C scale, too. Who doesn’t, right? So, why should you learn theory?
Music theory opens a world to you
There is so much written music around that it would take several lifetimes to explore it all. You may not get into the classical stuff but just leafing through a Beatles Complete volume will take some time. Guitar tab is fine but you will not find most music written in that way. Go ahead and check out tab but don’t stop there.
Music theory helps you read
Imagine taking an old song by the original artist as written and playing it as if you were the first one to play it! Ever hear of Tin Pan Alley? There was so much music cranked out with just that cadre of musicians for years, you probably could not even listen to it all in your lifetime. Such an enormous treasure trove to dig into!
Whether you aspire to play in a jazz band or with your local church, getting a few of the essentials down will go a long way to helping get up to speed quickly. No need for a degree in music, a little dab’ll do you 😉
The other players such as piano, horns and sax, will all have the standard notation. You could read off the piano music if you don’t have your own in a pinch. However, just knowing the key and the chords in that key will get you going. You now have a common language to share!
Music theory recovers a lost art
There was a major shift in musicians ability to read music back in the late 1960’s and early ’70’s where many of the musicians were no longer able to read music. Many of them were ear trained but could not read a note. Look up the history of The Wrecking Crew and the evolution from studio musicians to band musicians in those years.
You might say that is an argument against learning theory but hang on a sec! If you get a little theory under your belt, you become more versatile and can work a studio gig in addition to band work if you so desire.
As I listen to some of my favorite shredders such as Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert and others, they each have their videos about how they have a little bit (or a lot) of theory. They each have lesson videos going into the intricacies of theory and how they use it. Feel stuck in a rut with your playing? Go down this road and broaden your understanding.
Music theory helps avoid “wrong” notes
You may have heard, “Your music is yours. You can’t play a wrong note.” or something to that effect. While this is largely true, it can get you into trouble when playing with others who don’t share this view. You know when a “wrong” note is hit. So does everyone else.
A friend of mine would say, “You can’t play a wrong note as long as you resolve it correctly.” I have also heard, “If you play a wrong note in a jazz tune, play it again and it will be the right note.” (or something like that). You have to know what the “right” notes are in order to resolve a note or intentionally hit a wrong note. There is such a thing as dissonance and that works in the right context. Do it too often and risk losing your audience!
If you know your keys and modes, resolution becomes a trivial matter and you now know what could be considered a wrong note. That brings me to my final point:
Music theory builds confidence
We all want to play like we mean it and be able to do that in any song. As I stated earlier, you don’t need a music degree to know enough to avoid common pitfalls, broaden your knowledge and help you know how to play in any given context. Everything else becomes just style choices.
We are working on our Basic Theory For Guitar course now. If this is something you would like to explore, sign up and we will let you know when it is open! Hope to see you there!
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Why learn music theory? I play guitar by ear!
A friend (and future instructor for Just 2 Play Guitar) and I were discussing music theory the other day. Specifically, when and how to introduce it to a beginner student. Tough question and he has a lot of experience in this area. Over the last year, he has tried a few different ways and has settled on one. I teach more informally and typically get eyes glazing over when I venture into the topic. Here are our thoughts.
It is highly likely that you already know a bit about theory and don’t even realize it. If you can read chord charts and/or know something about changing keys, you have a couple of basics to build on. You probably know the C scale, too. Who doesn’t, right? So, why should you learn theory?
Music theory opens a world to you
There is so much written music around that it would take several lifetimes to explore it all. You may not get into the classical stuff but just leafing through a Beatles Complete volume will take some time. Guitar tab is fine but you will not find most music written in that way. Go ahead and check out tab but don’t stop there.
Music theory helps you read
Imagine taking an old song by the original artist as written and playing it as if you were the first one to play it! Ever hear of Tin Pan Alley? There was so much music cranked out with just that cadre of musicians for years, you probably could not even listen to it all in your lifetime. Such an enormous treasure trove to dig into!
Whether you aspire to play in a jazz band or with your local church, getting a few of the essentials down will go a long way to helping get up to speed quickly. No need for a degree in music, a little dab’ll do you 😉
The other players such as piano, horns and sax, will all have the standard notation. You could read off the piano music if you don’t have your own in a pinch. However, just knowing the key and the chords in that key will get you going. You now have a common language to share!
Music theory recovers a lost art
There was a major shift in musicians ability to read music back in the late 1960’s and early ’70’s where many of the musicians were no longer able to read music. Many of them were ear trained but could not read a note. Look up the history of The Wrecking Crew and the evolution from studio musicians to band musicians in those years.
You might say that is an argument against learning theory but hang on a sec! If you get a little theory under your belt, you become more versatile and can work a studio gig in addition to band work if you so desire.
As I listen to some of my favorite shredders such as Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert and others, they each have their videos about how they have a little bit (or a lot) of theory. They each have lesson videos going into the intricacies of theory and how they use it. Feel stuck in a rut with your playing? Go down this road and broaden your understanding.
Music theory helps avoid “wrong” notes
You may have heard, “Your music is yours. You can’t play a wrong note.” or something to that effect. While this is largely true, it can get you into trouble when playing with others who don’t share this view. You know when a “wrong” note is hit. So does everyone else.
A friend of mine would say, “You can’t play a wrong note as long as you resolve it correctly.” I have also heard, “If you play a wrong note in a jazz tune, play it again and it will be the right note.” (or something like that). You have to know what the “right” notes are in order to resolve a note or intentionally hit a wrong note. There is such a thing as dissonance and that works in the right context. Do it too often and risk losing your audience!
If you know your keys and modes, resolution becomes a trivial matter and you now know what could be considered a wrong note. That brings me to my final point:
Music theory builds confidence
We all want to play like we mean it and be able to do that in any song. As I stated earlier, you don’t need a music degree to know enough to avoid common pitfalls, broaden your knowledge and help you know how to play in any given context. Everything else becomes just style choices.
We are working on our Basic Theory For Guitar course now. If this is something you would like to explore, sign up and we will let you know when it is open! Hope to see you there!
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