Learning Guitar Theory

There are many different skills that we go through life wishing that we had learned. For some it is the ability to cook from scratch, other wish they had a better aptitude for watercolours. For many, it is the ability to play a musical instrument. Guitar playing is one of the top hobbies for those that want to get away from the stresses of modern life for a while. However, some have a passion to improve that goes beyond learning a few songs. This is where learning guitar theory comes in.

There is a big difference between learning to play the guitar and guitar theory.

The basic act of learning the guitar can be quite mechanical and stilted first you must choose a suitable guitar, see this guide on The Talent Bank. There are plenty of people that pick up a guitar and learn to play some songs by following some sheet music or basic tabs. This is pretty much the paint by numbers approach to guitar playing. There is a sense of satisfaction to learning the chords and melody and playing the song through in its entirety. This only increases when friends and family ask to hear what you have learned. The problem is that this is only a small element of the art. This allows you to call yourself a guitar player, but not a guitarist.

What is the difference?

The difference between the two is that there is a different mindset and sense of understanding for the music and the instrument. This is where that mechanical element comes into play. It isn’t enough to be able to robotically follow a series of notes at the right time. Most budding guitarists aspire to be musicians that can create their own music, improvise in the corner of party and jam with other people. There is a freedom of expression that only comes with a more profound knowledge of guitar theory. One of the best ways to explain this is that this is not so much about the physical methods and “whats” of guitar playing, but rather the “whys” and “hows”. It is about going deeper beyond the basic structure of the instrument and chord to the music and different effects. The more that players understand these elements, the better than can become and the more confidence they will have to move away from beginner’s sheet music.

A key element of this composition is music theory.

Music theory is the way that notes are created and the impact that major and minor chords and different progressions have on the final piece, see this guide on Earmaster. Guitarists can use specific guitar theory training to learn ways of composing new jams or reinventing songs. This means a more detailed look at scales, progressions and intervals than a basic piece of sheet music can offer. Again, the sheet tells you what to play, but the theory offers depth on how to do so and why it sounds a certain way, or makes people feel a certain way. For example, there are covers of songs that sound happier, sadder or more powerful depending on the way they are played. Guitarists cannot experiment with these emotions without strong guitar theory.

There are different ways to progress and learn guitar theory.

Some guitarists will want to expand their knowledge under the tuition of another, more experienced player. This one-on-one guidance can provide an insight into why the songs sound a certain one and different ways to experiment with the compositions. This is a personal approach that a printed guide cannot provide and it allows for individualism and jam sessions. The other option is a step-by-step course, either audio or via a DVD. This is preferable for those that want to work at their own pace and in their own time. There is no intimidation in working alone and potentially messing up the first time. Users can progress gradually and track their achievements.

The right tuition and resources can make the difference between a guitar player and a guitarist.

In depth chord and scale theory through advanced training and tuition can seem like a lot of hard work. It all depends on your ambitions as a guitar player and your passion for the music. Those that want to be in-sync with their instrument and be able to play anything, and anytime, need to have these wider knowledge to be able to succeed. Start with the basics. If you want to learn more, progress to guitar theory and see what you can really achieve.