a waste of time?

[16andlifetogo]

is learning theory a wast of time, i talked to a few guitarest i know, and they said i dont need to learn theory. they said just learn my scales, and know them. that i dont need to get that far into it. both of the guys i talked to are prety good and are both lead players in a band.

i was wondering if anyone else out there feels the same way or not.
please let me know what your opinions are..

thanks guys

[HDJ]

To me, it depends on how far you want to go with the guitar. I never learned theory and I do just fine. If you eventually want to attend college for the guitar, then yeah, you'll have to learn theory.

In the whole scope of things, theory is not essential in my opinion.

[Infectious]

I think learning some theory can definitely improve your composing abilities. You don't need theory if all you want to do is play good but if you really want to take your compositions to the next level, learning an adequate amount of theory will help you immensely.

[rockonn91]

yeah, its certainly not essential, but it does help if you're going to make some highly technical piece of music or whatnot.

[16andlifetogo]

well, i have been playing for 3 years, and have done just fine with out theory, but i came to this site and seen all the talk about it, and figured i had to learn it. i do want to learn some of it, but i guess its not ALL essencial. I just want to know the scales, and when and were to play them.

[pure]

is learning theory a wast of time, i talked to a few guitarest i know, and they said i dont need to learn theory. they said just learn my scales, and know them. that i dont need to get that far into it. both of the guys i talked to are prety good and are both lead players in a band.

i was wondering if anyone else out there feels the same way or not.
please let me know what your opinions are..

thanks guys


it really depends on how far you want to take your playing abilities. if you want to be able to just play a little bit better, then you should learn the scales and modes. if you want to learn scales then you're learning theory already. but you can go more in depth like into arpeggios and other things but i dont know if you want to go so far. me myself i play guitar for fun. im not planning on doing it as a professional but i have already learned a year of theory. it makes playing easier for me.

[16andlifetogo]

it really depends on how far you want to take your playing abilities. if you want to be able to just play a little bit better, then you should learn the scales and modes. if you want to learn scales then you're learning theory already. but you can go more in depth like into arpeggios and other things but i dont know if you want to go so far. me myself i play guitar for fun. im not planning on doing it as a professional but i have already learned a year of theory. it makes playing easier for me.

awsome, thanks for the reply :)

[tormyhk]

At some point, not knowing any theory will/can reduce your improvements. Well, that is my way of thinking :D but as said before in this thread, you can come far without theory. But you need a good ear for music.

Good luck!

[ericthecableguy]

A little theory always helps, especially in a band like mine where you are interacting with a keyboard. Don't waste to much playing time though. I usually work it out during class or when I've got time to kill.

[fernando brea]

if you play jazz or classical guitar you must study theory

[16andlifetogo]

if you play jazz or classical guitar you must study theory

cool, i like neither.. :D

thanks for the replys everyone :)

[magicninja]

Just learn what theory you can stand to soak up and then just play. Then you can analyse what you did and find ways to improve it or know exactly what the other parts in the composition should sound like.

[barnesjc]

In my opinion....A lot depends on this question. "Do I want to be a guitar player...or a musician?" A little theory knowledge makes even changing the key of a song a lot easier. :)

[JoeNovice]

if you play jazz or classical guitar you must study theory

Depends on what music you play...... that's the biggest bunch of crap ever.


There are only two types of music.... the music you like and the music you dont!

Theory exist in all music and the more you know of theory the better off you will be in many musical aspects. Is it necessary, No. Is it necessary to be able to read to live, No but it sure as hell makes life a bit easier.

The only reason you would not learn theory is either personal laziness or a lack of love for musicianship.

(I've been teaching for years and the only students who really hate theory are the ones who choose a style of music to augment their choice of fashion. They want to be "punk" or "hip-hop" in style and need the music to complete the image. The kids who really love music take well to at leasting thinking about theory.)

[16andlifetogo]

thanks everyone

Is there any where i can learn basic theory? like the stuff i need to know?

[magicninja]

You're there man go to the tricks page and search away!!

[16andlifetogo]

You're there man go to the tricks page and search away!!

that shoulda been my first guess huh? :o

[Ito1221]

I have asked myself this question many times. I took some theory courses and before them i could not compose something that sounded together. Theory will teach you chord progressions, and how music is made. An understanding will enhance your playing abilities, and you wont believe the improvement. Now i can actually write things with sections that sound like they belong....I guess you dont have to go nuts with but you should have a basic knowledge of theory

[16andlifetogo]

I have asked myself this question many times. I took some theory courses and before them i could not compose something that sounded together. Theory will teach you chord progressions, and how music is made. An understanding will enhance your playing abilities, and you wont believe the improvement. Now i can actually write things with sections that sound like they belong....I guess you dont have to go nuts with but you should have a basic knowledge of theory

thanks alot for your reply :) yeah, id like to be able to create something that sounds decent!

were can i obtaine basic theory? i did a search in the forums with no avail :(

[tormyhk]

In my opinion....A lot depends on this question. "Do I want to be a guitar player...or a musician?" A little theory knowledge makes even changing the key of a song a lot easier. :)

Well said ;)

I find learning the basics of music theory very helpful. It helps understanding music and understanding playing the guitar much better.

[16andlifetogo]

what exacley are the "basics of theory" and is there a site that just covers the basics?

thanks alot and sorry for all the questions. :o

[Ito1221]

eralier you said you could not find a theory forum...well on downloads.com if you look you will find a thing called chord wizard theory. I use it at home when im not atr school...its really great goes from scratch to advanced improvve and composition....hope I have been of help

[16andlifetogo]

thanks for the input man :)

[noticingthemistake]

Music Theory? Learn it. Your always going to see a split of opinions when it comes to those who have learned it and those who haven't and say they do 'just fine'. I’ve had students when I used to teach who played just fine and didn't know any theory, and once I introduced them to it and they saw what they could learn from it, they do 'just great'. Knowing theory will enhance your musical ability ten-fold, amongst your appreciation for it. Why do you think players who go to school for music come out a way better musicians than they were before.

If you do decide to learn it. Remember to think creatively first, theoretically second.

[macrun95]

Try this site for theory. Probably not the best but really good.

http://www.guitarbasics.com/crash_course_guitar_theory.htm

:cool:

[16andlifetogo]

thanks alot man.. that like helped me ALOT.. thanks agin!! :)

[axemaster911]

is learning theory a wast of time, i talked to a few guitarest i know, and they said i dont need to learn theory. they said just learn my scales, and know them. that i dont need to get that far into it. both of the guys i talked to are prety good and are both lead players in a band.

i was wondering if anyone else out there feels the same way or not.
please let me know what your opinions are..

thanks guys
When you try to teach yourself as much as you can about your gutiar, and the music it plays you will start to make improvments mesured in leaps, and bounds, and start to enjoy playing more than ever, as well as showing off to your friends. I am confident you will quickly surpass those who told you it wasent nessicary as well. Learn 1st all notes top to bottom on your fretboard, or at least the pattern the notes follow on the neck, as well as open string notes. Then what notes are in what keys is important. Once you find the keks you like to play in, and the notes in each of those keys, 7 notes per key, not impossible to remember, or at least the pattern they follow. This basic understanding will have you creating sounds so good youll scare yourself, and practice more, because you may start to like scareing yourself. It might even take you places you couldnt get to otherwise. Knowledge is power!

[16andlifetogo]

thanks for the replay man :) I have decited to go ahead and learn a little theory.

I have been learning a little bit of thoery thanks to Jolly. he has litteraly waled me through all the modes, and explaned everything to me. He is now teaching me about the circle of 5ths. I am forever greatfully Jolly.

Your a good guy, i dont care what the others sya about ya :p

[rockonn91]

thanks to whoever coorected the spelling of waste on the thread name.

that was annoying me :o

[MoonliteShred]

thanks for the replay man :) I have decited to go ahead and learn a little theory.

I have been learning a little bit of thoery thanks to Jolly. he has litteraly waled me through all the modes, and explaned everything to me. He is now teaching me about the circle of 5ths. I am forever greatfully Jolly.

Your a good guy, i dont care what the others sya about ya :p


jolly is a hero

[Weslaba]

the circle of 5ths is good stuff. It is branded in my brain permanently. Thanks to high school band.

[axemaster911]

the circle of 5ths is good stuff. It is branded in my brain permanently. Thanks to high school band.



Confushis Say,



When the circle of fiths all turn to six,
The one in the middle is surounded with prix,

[axemaster911]

thanks for the replay man :) I have decited to go ahead and learn a little theory.

I have been learning a little bit of thoery thanks to Jolly. he has litteraly waled me through all the modes, and explaned everything to me. He is now teaching me about the circle of 5ths. I am forever greatfully Jolly.

Your a good guy, i dont care what the others sya about ya :p

Thanks for the loyalty, Do you now know from study "basic" music theroy
If yes, you liklly have quadrupled your catalog of movements memorized thru both octaves. If you slacked on your study time, and still cant tell me what music theroy means you have yet to begin, and await further instruction. Oh you can tinker around and make up some riffs, and copy songs created by others, and have friends teach finger positions to songs, or rifffffss, or cool shreds born of creative impulses. But do you really understand what your doing as your playing so you can continue to play up, and down the fretboard thru two octaves, and covering every note in the key of choice without straying into another key accidently. Boy, when you get to this point of understanding you can do sick, twisted sh*t thats coming out sounding more, and more correct to your ear.
Thats gets to be alot of fun. The point when it finally clicks, and you get it, and can pick it up and do it at will, any time, any direction, non stop if you so desire in correct musical practice, you may start to feel your becoming the greatist player of all time, but your not it just feels that way. Around every corner there will be someone better, and there better because they most likelly have simply learned, and understood basic music theroy many years sooner then you, and theres nothing more important than years of practice daily to make the fingers do imposible things.
The greatist players = the highest number of correct, productive practice hours put in.
Practice,practice,practice,Its the practice I am preachen, and if you aint beliven your playing will surely sux!