Six Reasons Every Guitarist Should Learn Music Theory

Music Theory Will Make Playing by Ear and Memorizing Songs Much Easier

Music theory helps you understand what you hear and speeds up the whole process of learning new things. Many guitarists who resist learning music theory say that they would rather learn songs by ear. You can still learn songs without theory, but it will take much longer and require more effort. Not knowing any theory makes learning much harder. If you know some theory, you will be able to recognize standard chord progressions and scales that are used to create most music. You will pick out common patterns, which helps you transcribe songs faster. Learning music theory makes learning songs so much easier

Music Theory Will Help Your Creativity

There is a common myth that music theory will stifle your creativity. The exact opposite is true. By studying music theory, you will know how to put together the sounds you like and avoid the ones you don’t. You will be able to create the music you like much faster. Theory is just an explanation of how to make certain sounds. It is not a set of rules that you can not break.

Speeds Up Learning

Once you start understanding music theory, you will begin to see that there are a lot of similarities between all styles of music. It will help you figure out why you like certain things and then give you a way to create your own variations with those ideas.

Knowing music theory will also help you evaluate the many resources that are available to guitar players these days. Learning theory will help you quickly see if there is any value in a resourse. You will be able to determine if it is worth investing your time and money.

It Helps You Jam With Others

Theory takes away the guesswork when it comes to improvising. Many guitar players only know a few scale shapes, so all of their improvisations sound the same. Theory gives you options. Theory helps you determine the sounds you like. It enables you to figure out how your favorite players get that sound you love. Knowing theory will allow you to understand what something will sound like before you play it.

There is also a better chance that you will be able to play with other high-quality musicians once you learn music theory. It will be easier for them to communicate with you making playing with you easier. Pro-level musicians are always looking for other players who have put in the time and effort and know their stuff.

Exercises for Learning

Theory is not a set of rules that you must learn and never break. When used correctly,  music theory is a set of exercises that show you how to get familiar sounds in music. How to recreate and manipulate those sounds to make your own music. It takes away the guesswork and helps you progress faster

Fretboard knowledge

Music theory will help you map your fretboard and play the sounds you want to create. Theory enables you to see how the notes on the fretboard work together, allowing you to navigate the neck fluidly. It helps you play with confidence and freedom.

Music theory is not a set of rules and exercises that stay on paper. The key to making music theory work for you is applying it to the guitar. Immediately, play and use everything you learn.

About the author: Brian Fish is a professional guitarist living in Northeast Ohio and is an expert guitar instructor at  Guitar Lessons Geauga.